“ INVALID RUSSE.” 
CAVALRY SWIMMING-. 
BT 
MAJOR B. A. LAMB ART, R.A. 
An order by General Skobeleff to the 4tli Army Corps of the 15th June, 1882, 
contains the following :— 
ec I do not admit the possibility of men swimming on their horses in full 
marching order except over very small streams with firm bottoms, and I consider 
that swimming, commencing with small rivers such as the Sooprasl (105 feet 
broad) and going on to regular rivers such as the Danube, Wisla, Amoor and 
Syr Dara, is best carried out by one of the following three methods tried experi¬ 
mentally by three spuadrons of the 4th Dragoons on the 12th June.” 
The following is a summary of these three methods :— 
(1) Narrow rivers. The uniform and equipment of men and horses is carried 
over on rafts or small boats, and the men swim their horses over on watering 
bridles only. 
(2) Broad and swift rivers. The men cross on boats or rafts with their equip¬ 
ments as before; the horses bitted up, swim over in squads following a few 
guides selected from the best swimmers, on their horses. 
(3) In the absence of boats and rafts. A few experienced swimmers, one of 
them tied round with a long thin rope, swim to the opposite bank, and then with 
the rope pull across an axe and a picket rope which is made fast to a stake or 
tree. The picket rope is then tautened and made fast at the starting point. A 
detachment of the best swimmers is then sent across without their horses, and 
taking with them in a bundle round their necks the necessary clothing and their 
rifles, ammunition and entrenching tools. This detachment takes up a position 
to cover the crossing, establishing visual signalling communication with the rest. 
The remainder of the men then cross holding by the rope, with their kits, etc., 
slung round their necks. The use of several picket ropes of course materially 
quickens the operation. Last of all the horses are sent over in squads with the 
bits on the rear arches of the saddles. 
In connection with these orders of the illustrious Skobeleff, it is worth while 
to bring to notice an invention, designed to materially assist cavalry in crossing 
rivers. The invention (of a Sub-Lieutenant in the Semenovski Life Guards) 
consists of a canvas bag water-proofed, and fitted with a cork that seals it her¬ 
metically. Its weight is about 2-§- lbs., length 4|- feet, and width 2£ feet. 
This bag filled with the uniform and accoutrements of the man and the whole 
of his saddlery, etc., and corked tightly, not only does not sink, but can even 
support some additional weight. One end of the bag is fitted with a rope having 
a large loop. 
12 . VOL. XIX, 
