CHAPTER XXXIV. 

 Employment of Cavalry in a Campaign. 



Although the sphere of cavalry on the battlefield 

 lias undoubtedly been much narrowed, it is a question 

 whether its use in the other operations of a campaign 

 is not likely to be much enlarged in the future. The 

 great power which the new firearms give to the mounted 

 riflemen have increased their effectiveness so materially 

 as to enable them to be usefully employed far oftener 

 than under the old system. 



The railway, telegraphic, and other communications 

 of an army are so important, and so essential to be pre- 

 served, that a force of horsemen are as necessarv to 

 guard them as they are useful to threaten and attack 

 those of the enemy. A large force of mounted riflemen, 

 accompanied by a few pieces of artillery, can almost live 

 on the country, and by the rapidity and secrecy of their 

 movements, can avoid and escape large bodies, while, 

 from their armament and fighting capacity, they can 

 either attack smaller forces or defend themselves if 

 assailed. 



At the opening of a campaign these horsemen should 

 be sent on as outposts or advanced guards. They should 

 be under a general of cavalry, and should be instructed 

 to push boldly on in an impenetrable line, strong but 

 flexible. This belt of horsemen, self-reliant, able to 

 defend or to attack, not to be checked by small parties 

 of infantry under cover, should sweep forward, feeling 

 the whole countr}- on the way, and moving on until the 



