The Kentucky Cavalry Brigade moves onto the field to the drill at the Perryville, Kentucky battlefield state park. A squadron of horsemen lead the way, while the gunners of the Bluegrass Mountain Artillery take their gun onto the field.
Note the combined action in this picture. On the hill the Bluegrass Mountain Artillery is set on the top of a rise where it can fire over the tops of the heads of it's own troops without harming them or impeding their progress. A body of cavalry has dismounted and is deployed across the front of the unit, firing into an enemy to the front. To their left (the right of the picture) a mounted squad of troops is firing from the saddle, while apparently moving forward.
A lull in the action shows a more static view of the troops.
Similar to the above picture, but the mounted riders are beginning to separate themselves along the line.
As the view in the picture is widened to the left, another body of mounted troops can be seen in line abreast. For a historical note, this was very similar to a formation that Joseph Wheeler (then colonel) used at the actual battle of Perryville when he was covering the left flank of the Confederate army. He advanced down the Lebanon Road after dismounting a body of troopers on the road, and then having mounted troops to either side of them.
These pictures of the dual formations affords a good opportunity to understand some of the dynamics of fighting with the cavalry. As a general rule, cavalry can provide it's strongest attack or defense when it is dismounted. The men can use their long arms--carbines and rifles--effectively to repel or drive back the enemy. When mounted long-arms are nearly useless. Additionally, as they close up with the enemy their rapid fire pistols become a deadly and almost unassailable hailstorm of fire. And since they are not mounted on their horses, the line is much steadier and less likely to become disorganized due to frightened and wounded horses. The drawback of dismounted operations is, of course, speed. When mounted, the cavalry can move much faster than when on foot, and are a more flexible force. They can react to changing battle conditions quickly, and in the right circumstances can deliver a deadly and disorienting cavalry charge using their pistols (which are effective only at close range, such as in a charge).
Here we see the artillery crew moving it's gun into position on the field. In mountainous terrain, such as eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, these small barreled guns were very handy. They could be maneuvered much more easily than a full-size gun on hilly and steep terrain, and the weight of the gun was low enough for one horse or mule to pull, as in seen in this picture. In the mountains the roads were often narrow, often not wider than a walking path, and a full team of horses could be more of a liability than a benefit. Additionally, for rapid movement--as it was defined in the mountains--a small gun like this could be disassembled and the tube mounted on the back of a strong horse or mule for quick transport. The wheels and carriage would go on the back of another animal, or would be pulled without the tube mounted.
The mounted men of the Brigade are forming into line. A number of the mounted units are represented in this picture.