354 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
I think the material of which both officers and men is composed is 
splendid—first-rate—and that they can hold their own with any 
cavalry in Europe, in point of appearance, officers, men, and horses. 
I have always, however, thought that our cavalry outpost duty was 
imperfectly performed in the field. There is a want of elasticity, 
quickness, and intelligence 5 but I am certain that when these facts 
are thoroughly understood and recognised by our cavalry, there will 
be no difficulty in getting cavalry officers to study the new duties of 
this branch of the service. 
From my experience, I would say that some of the Indian irregu¬ 
lar horse regiments perform outpost duty better than we do; they 
are quick, intelligent, and much more alert on piquet than English 
soldiers. I would say that the 12th Punjaub Cavalry and 23rd Pun- 
jaub Pioneers performed outpost duties better than any troops in 
Lord Napier’s army in Abyssinia. This is my opinion, and I had 
good opportunities of judging. 
The written and verbal reports from the outposts enable the com¬ 
manding general to guess pretty well the intentions of the enemy 
long before his main body is seen, and preparations for attack or 
defence are made accordingly. 
Umpires. 
The business of the umpire staff now begins. The chief umpire is 
the senior general commanding in the absence of the king or com- 
mander-in-chief. At Aldershot, the commander-in-chief would be 
the umpire; in his absence, the lieutenant-general commanding. 
The commanding general selects other officers, in sufficient numbers, 
of sufficient rank and acknowledged excellence as soldiers. They 
all wear a white band round the right arm, their names are pub¬ 
lished in orders, and they are attended each by a couple of intel¬ 
ligent dragoons on fast horses, who also wear the white band of 
neutrality. 
The following are rules for the umpires: 
Rules for Umpires. 
1. The umpire-in-chief will be the lieutenant-general, or other senior 
general officer commanding at Aldershot. 
2. All orders from the umpire staff to be considered as directly emanating 
from the lieutenant-general, and to be carried out and obeyed with alacrity. 
3. The umpire staff to be under the orders of the lieutenant-general. 
The staff to consist of four, five, or six selected officers, as many as possible 
being colonels and lieutenant-colonels. No officer under the rank of major 
to be so employed. 
4. The umpire’s staff to be distinguished by a broad white silk band 
round the right arm, above the elbow. Each umpire to be accompanied by 
two dragoon orderlies, who will also wear the white band above right elbow. 
5. No general or other commanding officer of regiments, brigades, or 
batteries, is, on any account, to enter into a discussion with the umpires. 
6. The umpire staff will report any officer infringing this necessary rule 
to the lieutenant-general. 
