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CHAP. XXXII.] ORGANISATION OF CAVALRY. 



639 



marvellously increased. It is folly of the worst kind to 

 o.pply the liiLxims based upon a certain condition of 

 aflfairs, and to act upon them, when the conditions which 

 alone gave force to the maxims have been reversed or 

 done away with. 



This is not mere theory. Who that has read the 

 accounts of the mounted riflemen in America can deny 

 their great usefulness and efficiency ? Tne horsemen in 

 that country could perform outpost duty with wonderful 

 ability — they could dismount and fight in line of battle 

 against infantry, cavalry, or artillery ; they could attack 

 fortifications, capture gunboats, storm stockades, in fact, 

 do anything that could be expected of soldiers. And it 

 is marvellous that the Prussians or French had not 

 adopted the idea, and used it in 1870-71. 



Does any one believe that the Germans have not learned 

 a lesson from the experiences of the latter part of the 

 war in France, when the franc-tireun compelled the 

 celebrated Uhlans to march under the protection, or with 

 the support of infantry ? The lesson then taught should 

 not be lost. The chances are that in the next European 

 war, whichever nation employs the mounted rifles exten- 

 sively will be found winning decisive campaigns by the 

 wise adoption of a necessary reform. In fact, at this 

 moment the Germans are arming a large proportion of 

 their cavalry with long-range carbines, with the object 

 of enabling them to act as mounted riflemen. 



Another great advantage in mounted rifles is, that if 

 accompanied by light artillery, a movable army is 

 secured, which with the rapidity of movement of the best 

 cavalry combines the power of acting on every description 

 of ground, either ofiensively or defensively. This makes 

 this force the best suited for outpost duty, for which it 

 should be specially trained. The men should be taught 

 to dismount and manoeuvre on foot, three men of every 

 section of four dismounting, the remaining one taking 

 care of the horses. Number three of each section should 

 hold the horses, as he would have one on his left side 

 and two on his right. Great care should be taken to 

 practise these men to move about, advancing and retiring 



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