Cavalrymen and their mounts tended to get caught up in the excitement of a charge and often rode down the enemy long after they’d scattered, significantly reducing their own effectiveness on the field of battle. It stood as a powerful force capable of inflicting significant damage on an opponent, but it was prone to getting, literally, carried away in the heat of battle. The British cavalry was famous for its bravery and the quality of its horses. It also provided a mobile force that could be quickly moved across the field to support infantry in moments of crisis.Īt the Battle of Waterloo, as was the case in other battles of the Napoleonic era, the cavalry was often positioned behind the infantry where it could be used to turn back friendly units that were trying to flee the field – not a noble role, but an important one nonetheless. (Image source: WikiCommons) “Cavalrymen and their mounts tended to get caught up in the excitement of a charge and often overran the enemy lines significantly reducing their effectiveness on the field of battle.”īY THE END of the 18 th century, the primary role of cavalry was to pursue and destroy a fleeing army. Cavalry failed to deliver the ‘knock out punch’ at Waterloo, yet their presence on the field changed the course of the battle.
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