MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 226 



A permanent assignment of squads to these duties lightens 

 the labor and decreases the time necessary for breaking camp. 



Boots and saddles should not be sounded before all of the 

 above work has been completed, and without confusion. Don't 

 begin tlie day by nagging your men, thereby making them 

 " grouchy " during the march. 



Always be most careful to groom all parts of your horse 

 that will be touched by the equipment before you begin to 

 saddle up. 



Men should not start from camp thirsty, but should drink 

 all the water they want immediately after breakfast. All 

 canteens should be filled before marching. 



Section 2. Marches, camps. 



GENERAL PROVISIONS. 



977. The successful conduct of a march is one of the surest 

 tests of the ability and good judgment, not only of the com- 

 mander, but of all subordinate officers as well. Certain gen- 

 eral principles and some exact rules are laid down to fit the 

 case of a iiormal march, but tactical considerations as well 

 as the condition of roads and weather, the necessary forage, 

 water and shelter, sanitation, and other circumstances render 

 a march of any considerable body of mounted troops one 

 requiring the most unremitting attention to details on the 

 part of the fommunder and his subordinates. A successful 

 Cavalry march whether in peace or war is one that places 

 the men and horses at the time and place needed in the best 

 possible condition for the service required. Failure of mounted 

 troops to successfully carry out a mission is due as a rule to 

 exhaustion or injuries to the horses rather than to the men. 



The training of officers of all grades must be such that 

 solicitude for the condition of horses on the march is second 

 nature; constant effort should be made, however severe the 

 work, to stimulate the pride of the trooper in liaving and in 

 keeping his mount in fit condition ; if such stimrtlus is in- 

 effective then the remedy, if the trooper is at fault, lies in 

 other directions. Under favorable conditions field service 



