RSBUD-18
John Jenkins Designs
Although the Native Americans hated the US cavalry during the Indian Wars of 1865 through 1891, they learned to respect the infantry. Crazy Horse called them “Walk-a-Heaps” because they marched into battle.
Duty for the US Army on the frontier consisted mainly of patrolling and small unit actions. For the infantryman this typically involved long, forced marches and counter-marches as they sought contact, which was usually unsuccessful, as the Native Americans were a skilful and elusive foe. The first day’s march for an infantry column was usually limited to no more than 15 miles in order to give the troops an opportunity to adapt themselves to the conditions. For Campaign seasoned troops, 25 miles was considered a good day’s march.
Cavalry could travel faster and further, but their grain fed mounts tended to tire after days of continual marching and surprisingly, well trained infantry could outdistance cavalry units over a period of several weeks.