When you look at the available ammo loadout, you need to consider the means of transport. The typical cavalry mount has a useful load of 240 pounds. Attached is a list of equipment to be carried by a trooper for a five day patrol.
Halter: 2lbs 1oz
Watering Bridle: 1lb, 1.5oz
Bridle: 2lbs 13oz
Saddle: 14lbs 13.5oz
Saddle Bags: 2lbs 2oz
Filling of near side pouch of saddle bags,
10lbs of rations with meat in the can: 11lbs 2 oz
Filling of off side pouch of saddle bags,
1pr socks, 1 pr drawers, 2 shirts, 40rds carbine ammo, toilet articles: 7lbs 8
oz
Forage Sack with 15lbs of oats: 15lbs 6oz
Lariat and pin: 3lbs 1.5oz
Overcoat: 4lbs 6.5oz
Brush and shoe pouch: 1lb
Near-side pocket, curry comb and brush: 1lb
Off-side pocket, 2 horseshoes, 15 shoe nails: 2lbs
Saddle cover: 1lb
Surcingle: 11.5oz
Saber & slings: 4lbs 13oz
Waist belt and plate: 1lb
Pistol and holster: 3lbs 2oz
Carbine sling and swivel: 10lbs 4 oz
Carbine cartridge box: 1lb
24rds carbine ammo in box: 2lbs
Pistol cartridge pouch: 4oz
12rds pistol ammo in pouch: 14oz
Man: 140lbs
Total weight: 240lbs 12.5oz
As you can see, there is not a lot of room for extra gear, this is perhaps the major reason why the saber was left in garrision, that 4lbs and 13oz translates allowed for extra carbine/pistol ammo.
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The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis.
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