Limitations of Napoleonic cavalry were balanced by the relatively decreased fire-effect of Napoleonic infantry so that in this period the infantry relied on the bayonet to hold back cavalry. Cavalry could do little against steady infantry in a defensive formation which alLowed them to fire volleys and present the bayonet; except when attacking disorganised infantry formations, cavalry engaged enemy cavalry. In such melees, victory usually went to the most disciplined force who held their reserve until the appropriate moment. The formation of a cavalry squadron was soon dispersed in an action and self-preservation usually caused an officer to be followed whereas the trooper of a broken cavalry formation tended to seek safety. Thus, wargaming rules should penalise both fighting power and morale of a cavalryman once he has lost his formation. Back to Table of Contents -- Wargamer's Newsletter # 154 To Wargamer's Newsletter List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1975 by Donald Featherstone. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com