CAVALRY HORSES. 15 ij 



CAVALRY HORSES IN AMERICA. 



BY FRANCIS MORRIS, OF NEW \"ORK. 



The present civil war is unexampled in tlie annals of the world for magni- 

 tude and persistence. Two portions of a mighty nation divided against each 

 other, and using the utmost efforts of warlike skiU and ingenuity, render the 

 conflict singularly interesting as a study of the arts of offence and defence. 

 The world learns new military lessons with every year that this immense 

 struggle continues. 



At the outset the whole country was startled, and in a measure paralyzed. 

 Qiir army was but a few scattered regiments, totally unfit for the gigantic 

 Uisk thus forced upon it. As the people awoke, the necessity for instant action 

 was met by an enthusiastic generosity worthy of the highest praise, and men 

 and money were offered to the government with a lavish willingness that 

 showed how deeply the spirit of patriotism is implanted in the American 

 bosom. 



Simple earnestness, however, can accomplish little without efficient means ; 

 and, in some particulars, the armies that flocked to the national standard Avere 

 quite unequal to the enemy they were called to meet. This was notably the 

 case in the cavalry arm of the service. 



As it was supposed that the outbreak was merely a local insurrection, to be 

 quelled by a limited exhibition of military strength in a comparatively brief 

 space of time, infantry and artillery were chiefly relied upon. But as events 

 succeeded each other, and a few battles took place, it became painfully evident 

 that mounted soldiery were necessary, and in formidable numbers. 



It was then that the loyal men of the north were deeply mortified at the 

 discovery that they possessed neither horses nor riders worthy of sustaining 

 tlie glory of a legitimate cavalry service. The further western States alone 

 produced good cavalry. 



"While dishonest contractors and knavish speculators were foisting spavined 

 and foundered hacks upon the government, and awkward officers, fresh from 

 the counting-house desk, were drilling day laborers to ride them, the dashing 

 raids of the rebel General Stuart filled us with shame and dismay. He and 

 his rough riders galloped across the country at their will, stealing and seizing 

 whatever pleased their fancy, and frightening the peaceful farmers for miles 

 around. Soon the brilliant but traitorous cavalry of General Forrest followed 

 this example, and Fitz Hugh Lee, Imboden, Moseby, and Morgan followed in 

 turn. Trains were burned, villages laid under tribute, guards taken prisoners, 

 telegraph wires cut, and railroad tracks torn up, wherever these raiders went, 

 to the consternation of civilians and the deep humiliation of the army. 



And, refen-ing to the subject of railroad tracks, the folly of trusting to the 

 railroad as a means for the transportation of armies, and their equipments, 

 stores, &c., without adequate protection, has been severely illustrated by these 

 same cavalry raids. To intrust the lives of our soldiers and the property of 

 the government to the melancholy chances of a burned bridge or a displaced 

 rail is unworthy of any enlightened people. Long lines of unguarded railroad 

 running through semi-hostile sections of country, and easy of access to all well- 

 mounted troops, are totally unfit for the safe transit of men from one depart- 

 ment to another. Our daring cavalry hero, Grierson, did more service to the 

 north in destroying the southern railroads on his famous raid through Missis- 

 sippi and Louisiana than those railroads had done to the south. It is to be 



