If you read some of the fascinating cavalry reports War between the States , especially first hand and that of the CSA units, mostly they struck close with total, even audacious surprise, two cap and ball revolvers, one in hand, one in 44 on pommel, and a 12 ga shotgun, buck/ball generally reserved for evasive action. Their effectiveness, at the time, was without doubt. They developed little regard for the sabre over time. They were cool headed, good shooters, better riders, knew how to bluff and were all business. Given that they were not idiots, able to carefully chose time and place to best effect with their chosen modus operandi, they would be very effective even today with cap arms. No doubt
