A cavalry regiment couldn't be controlled by voice. Once the column was moving at the trot or gallop, the noise of hoofs, gear, and hundreds of horses dispersed across a quarter mile drowned out anything a commander could shout. Instead, every cavalry order traveled by bugle. Each maneuver had its own distinct call: trot, gallop, charge, recall, rally, deploy as skirmishers, fire, dismount, mount. The bugler rode beside the regimental commander and translated each order into the call every trooper had been drilled to recognize by ear. A wrong note from the bugler — or a hesitation — could send the whole regiment the wrong direction.

The three-figure set captures a Union cavalry command group at the head of the charge: bugler on a white horse with the instrument raised to his lips and the gold-braided chasseur jacket of regimental musicians, color bearer holding the Stars and Stripes high on a lance staff, and officer on a brown horse with drawn saber and red sash, leading the line. Dark blue Federal cavalry jackets, sky-blue trousers with yellow cavalry stripe, kepis and slouch hat. Pair the command group with Union Cavalry enlisted troopers extending the line, with Mounted General Grant in overall command, or face them off against Confederate Cavalry Three Troopers for a meeting-engagement charge.

Tradition of London model 914. 54mm scale (approximately 1/30), white metal, hand-painted in gloss enamel. Three-piece set: Union cavalry officer on brown horse with drawn saber, color bearer on brown horse with Stars and Stripes, and bugler on white horse with raised bugle, on classic painted bases. Supplied in the Tradition Classic Red Box. Allow 2–3 weeks delivery.