280 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



selected as the cavalry school ; he should never be located in Washington^ and should he 

 req[uired tomake a minimum number of inspections. 



TACTICS. 



The individual instruction of man and horse should be regarded as the most important point 

 of the whole system, and should be as simple as possible ; the man should be taught to manage 

 his horse with ease and address over all kinds of ground and at all gaits, to swim rivers, to go 

 through certain gymnastic exercises — such as vaulting, to fence, to fire very frequently at a mark, 

 and to handle his weapon with accuracy and effect at all gaits, and in all situations. 



Some of the preliminary instruction prescribed in the Kussian and Austrian tactics nlight be 

 introduced advantageously. 



Everything in reference to heavy cavalry, lancers, hussars, &c., should be omitted. 



I would adopt the Russian sabre exercise as the basis of our own ; insist upon the sabre being 

 kept sharp in the field, provide the men with means of doing so, and lay it down as a rule that 

 the strength of cavalry is in the "spurs and sabre." 



The instruction on foot should be carried no further than its true object requires — that is, to 

 bring the men under disciiiline, improve their carriage, and enable them to comprehend the 

 movements they are to execute mounted. 



The formation for review, parade, inspection, &c., to be: the companies deployed in one line, 

 with intervals of 12 paces, or else in a line of columns of companies by platoons, according to 

 the ground. 



The Russian tactics will suggest excellent arrangements for the orders of battle of commands 

 composed of regiments having ten, or fewer companies, also for the movements of brigades, 

 divisions, &c. 



It should be laid down as a fixed rule that no cavalry force should ever charge without leaving 

 a reserve behind it, and that against civilized antagonists the compact charge in line should be 

 used, in preference to that as foragers. 



Columns to be formed with wheeling distance, and closed in mass ; when closed in mass, the 

 file-closers close up to 1 j)ace from the rank, and the distance between the subdivisions to be just 

 enough to j)ermit each company to wheel by fours. 



Marching columns to be by file, twos, fours, or platoons ; by fours and platoons in preference 

 when the ground permits. 



Columns of manoauvre to be by fours, platoons, companies, or in double column ; the latter 

 always a regimental column, and to be formed on the two central companies, or platoons, 

 without closing the interval between them. 



Deployments to be made habitually at a gallop, and the individual oblique to be used as mueh 

 as possible. 



The instruction in two lines to be provided for. 



The Russian tactics give a good basis for the system of skirmishers, and charging as foragers. 

 For the nse of the mounted rifles, and cavalry acting as such, there should be a thorough 

 system for dismounting rapidly, and fighting on foot ; I have understood that such a system 

 has already been submitted by Lieutenant Maury. 



