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A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period VI. 



moral effect on the minds of the men produces the result. 

 There is, in fact, no limit to the successes which will be 

 gained by forces with a high morale over extraordinary- 

 odds, where their opponents are in a demoralized 

 condition. 



It was moral force, not physical, which led to the 

 successes of the handful of troops under Cortez and 

 Pizarro against the myriads to whom they were opposed. A 

 more remarkable instance was the Indian mutiny of 1857, 

 when the sepoys, armed, trained, organized, and main- 

 tained, exactly in the same manner as the British regulars, 

 were defeated by the English troops over and over again, 

 although their superiority in numbers over the latter 

 was enormous. 



The elements which contribute to the morale of soldiers 

 in battle are almost innumerable, and every officer should 

 pay the closest attention to this point. Confidence in 

 their commander is one of the most important points in 

 securing a high morale in troops. Stonewall Jackson 

 in the American war had so won the confidence of his 

 men that they could not be defeated when he was in 

 command, and the enemy was so demoralized when 

 before him, that fugitives from the front line calling out 

 " Jackson is coming," have spread a panic among the 

 reserves without their even having been under fire. 



Winning the first success in a campaign is another 

 most important consideration, and its effect will be felt 

 all through a war. This can be seen strongly marked in 

 history from the earliest times. Taking the initiative 

 is another good method of encouraging the soldiery. 

 Cavalry should always bear this in mind, and remember 

 that the boldest and most dashing course is almost 

 always the best. 



Napoleon says, " The worst plan to adopt in war is 

 always that which is the most pusillanimous, or com- 

 monly called prudent, and that true wisdom consists in 

 energetic resolution." This is the wisest of all Napo- 

 leon's maxims. The more one studies military history, 

 the more he will become convinced, that the first great 



