Were bayonets effective against cavalry?

“What gave soldiers with bayonets (and muskets) their effectiveness?” I’d say the main reason they were more effective against circa-18th Century cavalry, than typical pole-armed footmen were against mounted knights, was the lighter armor of the cavalry, and the attitudes and training of the time.
 

What were the advantages of bayonets?

One advantage of using a bayonet in close crowded combat, as opposed to a rifle or hand-gun, was its avoidance of risk in injuring one’s fellow soldiers. A bullet fired at close range into an enemy could well pass through his body and enter a friend standing (or fighting) behind him.

Were bayonet charges effective?

The use of bayonet charges to force the enemy to retreat was very successful in numerous small unit engagements at short range in the American Civil War, as most troops would retreat when charged while reloading.

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