236 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. [period hi. 





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weapons, requiring careful and steady aim, against in- 

 fantry who, firmly ranged on solid ground, were using 

 more powerful weapons of the same type with every 

 advantage in their favour. 



The Germans seem to have first used the pistol with 

 much effect. They adopted a system of forming their 

 cavalry in very deep bodies, sometimes as many as six- 

 teen ranks in depth. Their method of fighting was by 

 riding up to the enemy without charging, and upon 

 arriving within range of their pistols they fired two 

 pistol shots each, and then the front rank wheeled to 

 the right or left and unmasked the second, which took 

 up the fire, while the leading rank were retiring to the 

 rear, where they formed up in reserve, and recharged 

 their pistols.* Each rank did this in turn, until the 

 whole force had discharged their, weapons. 



This system, which for a time worked well on account 

 of the weight of fire secured by it, was soon neutralized 

 by the custom which arose among the French cavalry, of 

 charging upon them with a rush while they were carry- 

 ing on their firing. A charge of this kind almocii always 

 resulted in the overthrow of those horsemen who 

 depended entirely upon their pistols.'^ 



The use of the lance having gradually 'Msappeared, 

 the pisto' .acquired a position better than it should, and 

 from small causes the tactics of cavalry became vitiated 

 to the last degree. Its great force was, for a time, lost 

 or forgotten. The diminution of the pace of the charge 

 to the trot, and the use of firearms in place of lance and 

 sword; were the two causes ^hat made it of but little use 

 in war for a long period.* 



The German Reitres were much more lightly armed 

 than the heavy cavalry, and being mounted on faster 

 horses, and using swords and pistols, they often, by 

 their activity, defeated the French gendarmerie. They 

 were of the type of the modern cavalry, but relied too 

 much upon their firearms, which at that time were 

 certainly no match for hand-to-hand weapons in a 

 cavalry encounter. 



' Duparcq, ii. 68. » Ibid. 69. « jbid. 71. 



