216 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



All the cavalry wear a dark blue frock coat, with short skirts ; pants and overcoat very 

 nearly of the same color as our own. The cap resembles our dragoon shako very closely ; it 

 has a yellow water-proof cover, the hind flap of which ties over the shako, and a red spherical 

 pompon ; there is also a cover for the pompon. 



The seat of the pants is re-enforced with cloth, the bottom of the legs with leather ; the 

 straps button on one side, and buckle on the other ; the pants have a black stripe. 



In the Crimea there were 4 squadrons of light cavalry, two of which were lancers ; the 

 squadrons were about 130 strong. The ration of forage was 11 pounds of hay, and 8 quarts 

 of barley. 



The horses were partly attached to the picket rope by the right fore foot ; some of them by a 

 rope or strap attached to a collar. 



Their horses seemed to be excellent animals, but rather low in flesh ; they were mostly 

 Italian animals. 



The appearance of the Sardinian cavalry, as indeed was that of their whole army in the 

 Crimea, was excellent ; indeed, the general appearance of their army was superior to that of 

 either of their allies. 



It will be observed that there are no cuirassiers in the Sardinian army ; and that their heavy 

 cavalry differs from the light only in the size of the men and horses. 



GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, 



Captain 1st Cavalry. 



December 25,. 1856. 



