r>34 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period VI. 



all combined to make the jld-fashioned dragoon when on 

 foot as useless and clumsy a foot-soldier as could well 

 be conceived, and was one reason of the failure of 

 the dragoon principle in the past. 



It was extraordinary that this was not remedied 

 formerly, for the sword is a weapon of but little use 

 dismounted. The carbine should rarely if ever be fired 

 from off the horse's back, for any mounted charging 

 should be done with the revolver or sabre. The same 

 arguments in reference to cutting down the weight 

 carried to the lowest possible point, apply with equal if 

 not greater force to the mounted riflemen, upon whom 

 should devolve all the detached service. 



This force should also carry among them a few small 

 axes or hatchets, attached to the saddle in leathern casc3. 

 There should be a few in every troop, for they arc 

 required for breaking down fences, making breastw^orks, 

 cutting wood for fires — making liuts and shelters, cut- 

 ting down telegraph poles, &c. As it is absolutely 

 necessary that cavalry should always have axes with 

 them, it is better that some of the men should carry 

 them, rather than that they should be carried in 

 waggons. 



Tills fcrce being mainly employed for outpost and 

 detached service, should be composed of intelligent men, 

 and should be plentifully supplied with maps of the seat 

 of operations, which all the non-commissioned officers 

 should understand how to read and use. 



With reference to the horses it may simply be said, 

 that the heaviest and most powerful horses should be 

 given to the heavy cavaliy, w^hile the lighter animals 

 should be given to the dragoons. It must also be 

 remembered that the value of cavalry of any kind 

 depends mainly on the horses, and that every effort 

 should be made by careful feeding, shoeing, saddling, 

 &c., to preserve them in a good condition. 



It is the strength and lasting qualities of the horse 

 which make the mounted man formidable. The animal 

 should not be made therefore to carry unnecessary weight, 

 ^nd all cavalry officers should bear this point in mind. 



