The Army of the Potomac's mounted units suffered early in the Civil War
at the hands of the horsemen of the South. However, by 1863, the Federal
cavalry had evolved into a fighting machine. Despite the numerous
challenges occupying officers and politicians, as well as the harrowing
existence of troopers in the field, the Northern cavalry helped turn the
tide of war much earlier than is generally acknowledged. It became the
largest, best-mounted, and best-equipped force of horse soldiers the
world had ever seen. Further, the 1863 consolidation of numerous
scattered Federal units created a force to be reckoned with--a single
corps ten thousand strong. Award-winning cavalry historian Eric J.
Wittenberg chronicles this story, debunking persistent myths that have
elevated the Confederate cavaliers over their Union counterparts.