The Nevada journal., 1851-12-11

good, plain butchers knife should be
worn for ordinary purposes, and more
particularly for cutting Off the patch
ing while loading. For quick firing,
the patching should be all ready cut
and strung, as is usual with 'front.' er
men. There should also be a piece of
leather cut so as to fit the caps, holdi NJ
at least ten caps, and fastened on the
strap passing across the breast, so as
to be ready for use in quick firing.
This, although apparently trivial
matter, will be found OF great conve-
nience.
The sword should be light, very
broad, and thin, much curved on the
edge, and SO short as not to interfere
with the horse in turning. 1t should
be attached to the saddle, lying along
the horses side, under the left leg Of
rider, with the hilt opposite to the horn
Of the saddle, and so fixed that the
point should not reach the horses hip,
when turning. The point should be
made by a straight cut on the back. in
line with the handle, so as to inter
sect the curve of the edge. This por-
ton Of the blade should be double
edged, so as to be efficient in giving
point. The scabbard should be of
copper. and so constructed as to keep
out the water. The object of attach
ing the sword to the saddle is, that the
men should not be ercumbered with
it when dsmounted to act as light in
fantry. 1t could be used only when
mounted This weapon would be
very essential. both against Indians,
when fire arms are wet, and against
a civilized foe, in the open field, the
men fighting as Dragons.
The drill should be changed from
the present dragon drill, by the intro
duction of new words of command, so
as to accomplish certain maneuvres
essential to q frontier service. For
instance, the troops should be number
ed in sections or platoons of five: !
and 2 should form, one covering the
other. The same with four and five,
while 3 should occupy a middle posi-
ton, and whose business it would be
TO take care of the horses of the pla-
toon to which he belongs, in the event
the troops are suddenly ordered to act
as light infantry. This could be easi
ly accomplished by the numbers |, 2,
4 and 5, each handing the rein not at
tached to the martingale to number 3.
The latter could either hold them or
tie one rein through the others, there
by securing the horses and freeing
himself so as to be able to resist any
attempt to stampede the animals,
thing frequently occurring in Indian
warfare.
This should be the order of battle
and line of march while in an open
country; but in rough ground and
mountain defiles, it will be necessary
to march in Indian file. Then each
should take position in rank according
to number, thereby keeping No. 3 in
the centre Of his platoon.
Many advantages would be derived
from the use of these arms and equip
ments, combined with n proper drill.
Rapidly of motion is all-important in
Indian warfare. Any delay in dis
lodging an ambuscadc must always be
attended with loss or defeat. In case
troops are surrounded in open ground
by superior numbers, as will frequent
ly happen while warriag with the
prairie tribes, who keep at a distance,
firing with their guns, which carry
well and can do much mischief with
but little risk to themselves, they can
be reached with the rifle or yaugcr.
This would deprive them ofthe advan-
itagc they would possess over ordinary
arms, such as are used by dragons.
Again, in bush fighting, the rifle or
yauger is the most serviceable weapon,
as no fire arms would be Of any avail
which do not shoot with accuracy. In
fighting on horseback all the arms can
be used with advantage. The gun can
be used as a pistol, and afterwards Sc
cured in its place, it will not embarrass
the trooper in the use of his pistol or
sword. In frontier service the men
are often compelled to rely for food
on the game they can kill. Without
fire arms which will shoot accurately
and carry far, game cannot be procu-
red, as it is both scarce and wild in
places frequented by Indians.
| From long experience and frequent
consultations with those equally con-
versant with frontier service, | am in
| 4 Al Al