A typical Union cavalry officer during the American Civil War was a young to middle-aged man, often from a rural background with strong riding experience. He wore a dark blue cavalry uniform, knee-high riding boots, a sabre at his side, and often carried a revolver and carbine.

His job combined scouting, raiding, screening the movements of infantry, and engaging Confederate cavalry. Skilled horsemanship, quick decision-making, and boldness were essential traits. Many Union cavalry officers gained prominence late in the war as the cavalry became more effective, using mobility and improved weapons to disrupt enemy supply lines and gather vital intelligence.