CHAP. XX.] FREDERICK THE GREAT'S CAVALRY. 



323 



as 



in 



Feet 



ScitUitz aud Ziethen both bestowed great attention to 

 the instruction of the cavahy. After the men had been 

 well trained in the riding schools, they were manoeuvred 

 in large masses over rough ground to prepare them for 

 service before an enemy. Seidlitz was accu-tomed ;> 

 exercise his regiment at iuV. speed over very broken 

 ground, and men were often killed. Frederick once 

 found fault with him on account of the number of deaths 

 so occasioned. Seidlitz coolly answered — " If you make 

 such a fuss about a few broken necks, your Majesty will 

 never have the bold horsemen you require for the field." 

 This anecdote is a striking illustration of the spirit in 

 which the cavalry of the great Frederick were trained 

 and handled.' 



As already mentioned, the cavalry on level plains 

 sometimes charged in close line without intervals, or, ae 

 the French say, en muraille, as Seidlitz did at Zorndorf 

 in 1758 with seventy squadrons in closely serried order, 

 a fact that speaks volumes as to the manoeuvring powers 

 of the Prussian horse.'' The intervals between the 

 squadrons varied, being regulated evidently by the nature 

 of the ground and the tactics of the enemy. 



The cavalry generally retreated, in case of need, by 

 echelons, and were taught to rally to the front instead of 

 to the rear, or, in other words, to rally after a charge 

 while pursuing ; a most important precaution, tending to 

 prevent a reckless and disorderly pursuit and enabling a 

 commander to follow up a victory with greater certainty, 

 to resist an attack of the enemy's reserves with more 

 chances of success, or to turn against the flank or rear 

 of any body of the enemy's troops which their advance 

 might enable them to attack Avith advantage. 



The system of elementary tactics in the Prussian 

 cavalry was alike in all the various kinds, the cuirassier 

 being trained exactly the same as the hussar ; speed, 

 orderly manoeuvres, charges in line, or en fourcigeurs, 

 being equally required from both. They were all drilled 

 to charge across ditches, to leap hedges, to cross hollow 

 roads, villages, and defiles, to search woods, to make 

 Nolan, 33. ^ Humbert, 105. 



y 2 



