CHAP, xxxii.] ORGANISATION OF CAVALRY. 



523 



ffer 



with great accuracy with their revolvers at full speed, 

 and as it will be readily admitted that horsemen intended 

 for charging in the future must be thoroughly well 

 drilled, there is no reason why this should not form an 

 important portion of their instruction. And once the 

 momentum could be secured, in addition to an effective 

 use of the repeating pistol, would not a cavalry force be 

 obtained that would be far more likely to break infantry 

 than if armed with the sabre ? 



Great stress is laid upon the moral effect of the flashing 

 sabres upon the minds of the foot-soldiery ; but if we 

 anab '^ ih'ir, moral effect we soon come to the conclusion 

 that the sabre itself has but little to do with it. Suppose 

 th;; cavalry to come up at a slow walk, sword in hand, or 

 :v] , the cavalry to await the attack at the halt, how 

 u^iifince would the sabre have on the minds of 



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the miaiiir* ^ Comparatively speaking, none. Suppose 

 serried line? • ' 'lorsemen in good order charging at 

 furious speed with th.^ )rds in the scabbards, would 



ence exerted by the rush 



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there not be a great 



of the advancing masses •• .nd if the "'^eed was 

 maintained, would not the iiitu-iitr shrink fic^ the 

 shock, more than from the attack of the h^^j- -^t ~ . ^^d 

 in hand, at a slow pace ? 



We are satisfied that the momentum is the gi .dJ po rer 

 after all, both moral and physical, and if to that the 

 revolver with its deadly fire be added, the morale should 

 be greatly increased. The great confidence of the in- 

 fantry in their firearms would also lead them to fear the 

 rapid volleys of the pistol more than the flashing of the 

 sabres. 



It seems therefore that if cavalry are to he used for 

 charging on the battlefield against infantry or artillery, 

 that all the arguments point to the advantage to be 

 derived by organizing, arming, and training the regular 

 cavalry to use the revolver skilfully at speed, and to. 

 employ it at close quarters instead of the sabre. The 

 sabre should be maintained for use in the pursuit and 

 in combats with the enemy's horsemen, where, through 

 being able to attack without heavy losses in the advance. 



i. 1 1 



