

Il'> 



408 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period IV, 



divisions, of our regular alignments, of all that order 

 which we so overweeningly estimate. Their custom k 

 to keep their horse close between their legs ; their feet 

 rest in broad stirrups, which support them when they 

 use their arms. They spring from a state of rest to a 

 full gallop, and at that gallop they make a dead halt ; 

 their horses second their skill, and seem only part of 

 themselves; these men arc always on the alert, they 

 move with extraordinary rapidity, have few wants, and 

 are full of warlike ardour. What a magnificent spectacle 

 was that of the French cavalry, flashing in gold and 

 steel under the rays of a June sun, extending its lines 

 upon the flanks of the hills of the Niemen, and burning 

 with eagerness and courage ! What bitter reflections 

 are those of the ineffectual manoeuv" which exhausted 

 it against the Cossacks, those irregu ai forces until then 

 so despised, but which did more for Russia than all the 

 regular armies of that empire ! Every day they were 

 to be seen on the horizon, extended over an immense 

 line, whilst their daring flankers came and braved us 

 even in our ranks. We formed, and marched against 

 this line, which, the moment we reached it, vanished, 

 and the horizon no longer showed anything but birch- 

 trees and pines ; but an hour afterwards, whilst our 

 horses were feeding, the attack was resumed, and a black 

 line again presented itself; the same manoeuvres were 

 resumed, which were followed by the same result. It 

 was thus that the finest and bravest cavalry exhausted 

 and wasted itself, against men whom it deemed un- 

 worthy of its valour, and who, nevertheless, were suffi- 

 cient to save the empire, of which they are i,he real 

 support and sole deliverers. To put the climax to our 

 affliction it must be added, that our cavalry was more 

 numerous than the Cossacks, that it was supported by 

 an artillery, the lightest, the bravest, the most formidable 

 that ever was mowed down by death ! It must further 

 be stated that its commandant, the admired of heroes, 

 took the precaution of having himself supported in 

 every manoeuvre, by the most intrepid infantry ; and, 

 nevertheless, the Cossacks returned covered with spoils 



