CHAPTER XXXII. 



Organisation of Cavalry into Different Kinds. 



section i. — cavalry of the line. 



It is plainly apparent to the thoughtful observer of 

 the progress of the military science during the last twenty 

 years, that the vast improvements in modern weapons 

 have to a great extent changed the conditions of war- 

 fare, and that the sphere of the cavalry service has been 

 much narrowed upon the battlefield, and its chances 

 of success considerably diminished. The system of 

 Frederick the Great has served its purpose, and it is left 

 to our arm now to look about and devise a new system 

 to suit the present state of affairs^ 



The experiences of the last war in France have estab- 

 hshed a few points very conclusively. In the first place, 

 it has been shown that the bravest cavalry, charging in. 

 the boldest manner, are almost certain to be cut to pieces 

 by the terribly destructive fire of the breechloading rifle. 

 The Prussian infantry, confident in the power of their 

 weapons, met the charging horsemen of France in line, 

 and drove them back with their fire alone. At Woerth, 

 at Mars la Tour, at Sedan, no matter by which side the 

 charge was made or by which infantry received, the result 

 was equally disastrous to the cavalry. 



At Wcerth the French cuirassiers, who charged with 

 great bravery, were cut to pieces ; but their charge was 

 not altogether in vain, for it checked the Prussian 



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