XX 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



TiiK Fuanco-German War, 1870-1871 492 



This war tlio jirst in wliicli improved lircanns wero used by botli ftrnues — 

 The cavalry in the coiiteiuliii^' armies — Tlieir force, equipment, and 

 organization — Tli(> French officers not ellicicnt — Uely too much upon 

 tiieir laurels — Their outpost service wretchedly performed — The loss 

 of the campaign fi^reatly owin<^ to the gross incapacity of their cavalry 

 in this respect — German outpost work carried on with great skill — 

 Inuucnso results gained — The superiority of their light cavalry — 

 Battle of Weisscnbcrg — Battle of W(crth— Charge of iVIichcl's cuir- 

 assier brigade — A useless sacrilice with no result — The pursuit of 

 McMalion after Woerth — Brilliant services of the German cavalry 

 in covering the march of their armies— Battles of Mar.'i-la-Tour or 

 Vionville and Gravelotte — Charges of cavalry at Vionville — Flank 

 inarch of McMahon to Sedan — Mismanagement of French cavalry — 

 Their failure to cover this march — Striking contrast on the part of 

 the German horsemen — Surprise of Beaumont — Battle of Sedan — 

 Charges of cavalry — Letter on tliis subject — Comments — Battles of 

 Amiens, Orleans, and Soigny — The " Franc-tireurs " — Uhlans, not 

 being mounted rifles, unable to cope with them — Infantry battalions 

 sent with Uhlans after this period — Strong argument in favour of the 

 mounted rifle principle — Servian War — Use of revolver. 



PERIOD VI. 



ORGANIZATION, ARMAMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT OF 

 CAVA LEV IN MODERN WARFARE. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

 Oharacjteristics of Cavaluv 



507 



Cavalry noted for impetuosity — Summary of the changes in the cavalry 

 force — From chariots to Alexander and Hannibal and to Frederick 

 the Great — The present condition of the art of war adverse to 

 cavalry — Necessity for reforms to suit the times — Characteristics of 

 cavalry — Necessary to cover an advance — To lead in a pursuit — To 

 cover a retreat. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

 Organization of Cavalry into Different Kinds 



513 



Section I. — Cavalry Proper. 



Necessity for changes in organization — Franco-German War proves many 

 points — The new rifle prevents charges on Frederick's system, except 

 with losses that amount to destruction — Instances at Woerth, Vionville, 

 and Sedan — The sacrifice however sometimes required —Some cavalry 



