The Nevada journal., 1851-12-11
PARTISAN WARFARE.

unteer force sent down the coast to the
assistance of the people Of the lower
counties--the intimation having been
already made by the Governor that he
will call out the militia in case Gen.
Hitchcock have no troops to send
the following suggestions as to the arm
ing, mounting and drill Of partisan
troops, drawn up by Major Ben Mes
Culloch, one Of the best Indian fighters
living, will not be inappropriate. They
appeared in this paper on the | 4th OF
March last, and as they may be Of es
sential service to those organizing
troops for the southern country, we re-
publish at length: Herotd.
First, as to the equipment of the
horse: double rein bride and mar
tingale-thc reins just long enough to
reach over the horn of the saddle so
as no: to hang too loosely when the
horse is in motion. The bit should be
a strong curb with one rein, so attach
ed as to have no lever power. This
rein should pass through the martins
gale, and should be used in ordinary
riding or in a long chase on the prai-
ries. The other rein should possess
great lever power, so as TO give the ri
der perfect control of his animal in a
close hand to hand encounter. The
martingale should have no collar.
The saddle should be after the Mis-
souri, or Texas fashion, with neat and
rather high pommel. No padding
should be used in It's construction, nor
any thing calculated to retain water
or which could be injured by exposure
! TO wet. 1t should be both light and
strong, so that each man could take
two blan kets of the largest size, with
out encumbering his horse; placing
one under his saddle and the other Ell
ther over or behind it as directed
There should be crupper attached,
to be used in mountainous districts or
on mules there should also be tied
round the neck of the horse a strong
rope or riata of hide, at least thirty
five feet long, for the purpose Of secu-
ring him while grazing at night, as
must necessarily be the casa when out
after Indians. This rope should new
er be removed from the horses neck,
but should be coiled up when ready to
march, and secured at the front Of the
saddle on the left side by strings at
tached for that purpose.
The arms should consist of one rifle
or yauger, one Colts pistol, and a
sword. The rife should be light
enough to be used with one hand, as
the other is always required to control
the horse. The German yauger com
bines all the requisite qualities. The
late United States rifle would answer
if properly reduced in weight, and so
as to leave the ball of the original size !;
strap should be attached, like that
attached to the army rifle at present
in use, but so arranged as to allow the
muzzle to pass through a tube of lea
ther fastened TO the front of the saddle
on the left side, letting the muzzle
down as low as the riders foot The
strap should be attached to the breach
in such manner as to allow one turn
round the horn of the saddle, ior the
purpose of keeping the rifle steady in
a charge or pursuit, when it might be
necessary to use the sword or pistol.
BY this arrangement, the rifle is pre-
vented from being an incumbrance, in
horseback encounter, as has hereto
fore been the case.
The pistol, a large sized Colts re
volver, should be carried in a holster
at the saddle-horn, on the right side;
the holster to be made of waterproof
leather, and so constructed as to keep
out all the damp. Another holster OF
case should be worn by the men on the
left side, secured by belt, SO that
when it becomes necessary to dis
mount for the purpose of dislodging an
ambuscade, or attacking an enemy or
rough ground, each man may have his
pistol ready for use, which is impossi
BILE il the holster alone be used Al
extra cylinder might be carried witt
advantage.
The ammunition should be carried
in pouch, on the right side, suspended
by strap passing over the righ
shoulder. to which should be attaches