The Southerner of the mid-19th century had been bred to ride horses. Men rode horseback wherever they wanted to go. Added to this, the period Southerner had long been used to firearms, whether for hunting for pleasure or food or simply sport. Putting the two together promised that when the Southern states seceded, beginning in December 1860, the cavalry would be a major combat arm: in fact, Robert E. Lee and Albert Sidney Johnston both came from the 2nd US Cavalry just before the war. This title looks at how the men of the Confederate cavalry were recruited, trained, lived and fought. Both routine and campaign life are covered, as well as the weapons and equipment that served them in their combat roles. Key encounters such as the 1863 clash at Brandy Station are also covered.