My earlier response failed to cover several significant points that you made. First, officers on both sides produced self-serving accounts. For example, General Joseph Wheeler, one of a few former Confederates buried in Arlington National Cemetery, wrote volume VII (Alabama) of Confederate Military History. Aside from flagrant plaragism of the greater part of this book, Wheeler included a list of battles and skirmishes in the western theater. It seems that cavalymen under his command fought in nearly every action, almost always inflicting far greater losses than they suffered. It's not unusual to find three skirmishes on the same date. One day when I can't think of anything better, I'll total all the enemy casualties Wheeler claims in this list. It may exceed the total number of soldiers who served in the Federal Armies of the Ohio, the Tennessee and the Cumberland, plus Wilson's Cavalry Corps.

The saber was indeed a fearful weapon, quite effective when fighting on horseback at close quarters. Most Confederate cavalrymen carried a single-shot rifled musket or carbine. When mounted, these firearms were about as useful as a club in defense against a saber. The fortunate few who carried revolvers stood some chance of defending themselves, but the saber never had to be reloaded. It could be used until broken or until a trooper's arm and shoulder became tired. General Forrest narrowly escaped such an attack at Ebenezer Church, April 1, 1865.