CHAPTEU II. 



THE INSTRUCTION AND TACTICS OF CAVALRY. 



The Kussian cavalry tactics comprise the following schools, or divisions of instruction : 1. 

 The school of the recruit, divided into : a. Manege, or individual equitation ; b. Drill in single 

 rank; c. Sabre, lance, carhine, and pistol exercise. 2. The school of the platoon. 3. School 

 of the squadron. 4. School of the regiment. 5. Evolutions of the line. As supplements to 

 these, are the regulations for service in garrison and in the field ; the latter being divided into 

 regulations for field service during peace, and those for time of war. 



It is proposed to give in this chapter sufficiently copious extracts from the tactics to explain 

 the system of instruction and its peculiarities. The sabre exercise is presented in full. The 

 subjects are presented in the order in which they occur in the tactics ; those portions being 

 omitted which are neither new nor interesting. Although generally condensing the text, I have 

 endeavored to preserve the spirit and language of the original Kussian. 



I. SCHOOL OF THE EECRUIT. 



The instruction of the recruits is presumed to require nine months ; immediately after joining 

 the regiment or depot they are placed under the charge of monitors, selected from among the 

 most steady and intelligent old soldiers. 



1st month. The recruits are taught certain religious duties and the obligations of their new 

 vocation. The monitors impress upon them the advantages of irreproachable conduct, and the 

 consequences of negligence, evil disposition, and crime. They are made acquainted with all 

 parts of a soldier's uniform, how to wear, and keep it in order. 



2d month. They are taught how to clean a horse ; are made acquainted with the names, object, 

 and manner of using the different parts of the horse equipment ; are taught how to place the 

 saddle, (without the pack,) first on a wooden horse, afterwards on the animal itself; to clean 

 their arms and take them to pieces ; and they commence chanting the signals. 



3d month. They are taught the first princijiles of dismounted drill, beginning with the 

 facings and marching ; to load without the motions ; the principles of the skirmish drill, and 

 of duty at the advanced posts, whether on foot or mounted, according to the following system: 



1. The instruction commences with the signals and the movements of skirmishers without 

 arms ; when they have learned to load without the motions, their fire-arms are given to them 

 when learning the duties of advanced posts. 



2. The most simple signals, such as "common time," "right turn," &c., are employed at 

 first, afterwards passing to the more difficult. 



3. In all the lessons the proper progression is observed, never advancing to any new lesson 

 until all that precedes is comprehended. 



4. After a certain amount of preliminary instruction, the recruits are divided into classes, or 

 squads, according to their progress. 



