While it is fun to rag on Mittens for this 19th century military policy we are almost at the 95th anniversary of an action involving horses and bayonets that showed incredible heroism and sacrifice.
On October 31, 1917 during the Battle of Beer Sheva (aka the 3rd Battle of Gaza), the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade successfully charged the Turks machine guns and entrechments, turning the tide of the battle and the entire World War 1 campaign in the Middle East. http://en.wikipedia.org/..._(1917)
Because the Australian Light Horse were mounted infantry and not cavalry they didn't have swords and made the charge using their bayonets.
More below the orange swirl:
The events were faithfully portrayed in the excellent 1987 Australian film The Lighthorsemen.
Below is the climactic scene from that film in which the Aussies make their charge.
http://www.imdb.com/...
If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. Not only is it good history but it's good film making with an excellent story and acting and deals with how men may be brave in war without necessarily being able to kill.