Having completed Sheridan's Horsemen, and starded Cavalry Raids of the Civil War by Colonel Robert W. Black, I am beginning to have a feel for both sides. The Ross Brigade was a force from its start and probably did more than its part in the Civil War. Often it was named by its division commander rather than Ross, because some people cannot look below the division level.  David Evans wrote Sheridan's Horsemen at the trooper level. From this level we also see the damage done to the general population. As a geneologist who has great problems in researching my Georgia past, I have problems with the likes of McCook and Kilpatrick, who let troops ransack homes, court houses and post offices.  To some extent they did not destroy all schools, and some family data is available.

The great lack of cohesive effort in the McCook, Stoneman and Kilpatrick raids, almost forecast their failure. Lack of a totally agressive nature and a singlemindness displayed by Van Dorn at Holy Springs, by Forest in his raids, and by others who succeeded becomes evident. Raids down through history that succeed have this nature.

I highly suggest the reading of Evan's book. I have several more books to read and may suggest more in the future. I would make a point about Kilpatrick's charge over Ross. Because of McCook, the regiments of Ross' Brigade were better armed with sharps carbines and clothing than before, but they still were lacking in food and forage for their horses. For 3000 to run over 420 with one out of 4 holding horses, this was like a pro football team running over one from middle school, no matter how they were armed. The fact that Ross' found his bugler afterward and called "recall", allowed him to quickly reform his unit to find out his losses and resume the battle.