Mike,
I've just finished reading the chapter on ACW cavalry tactics and weapons in Brent Nosworthy's "Bloody Crucible of Courage". Some commanders apparently wanted lances issued, while others - mainly Confederate - recommended shotguns for close-quarters action. Sabers were pretty useless in closely-wooded country. The chapter also tells a great tale of conventionally-trained Union regular troopers being unable to cope with a left-handed Reb cavalryman in one of the rare saber v saber fights.