Cavalry raids versus the mobility of an army

Confederate cavalry leaders could win attention-grabbing local successes, while overall army mobility mattered more to the campaign. Raids could disrupt rear areas, force garrison duties, and generate spectacular local victories. They were most strategically effective, however, against an opponent of roughly comparable strength. A force outnumbering its enemy three or four to one could detach half its troops for security and still retain an advantage in the main campaign. The decisive distinction is between the mobility of a whole army and the dash of specialist cavalry formations.