New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-08
CaYalrY Wanted.


WASHINGTON, July 2, 1861.
have been asking recently why we have no
more cavalry The answer is usually the same:
"Tbe Lieutenant General of the army doesn't
want cavalry-prefers infantry" But this seems
so preposterous that one cannot seriously credit it.
However, it is the universal answer, when any
answer at all is given. 1t does not appear 10 be
o difficult question, yet it sometimes produces
great embarrassment. If, for instance cavalry
officer is addressed upon the subject he HUNS
patriotic tune, and says the weather is fne. For
this / respect him, but my curiosity remains
unsatisfed. It 10 whispered that there are
parties here who can throw light upon the mat
ter, and that any one of the numerous gentle
men who for two months have been vainly prof
fering troops and regiments of cavalry might II
he chose, unfold tale of considerable magni-
tude and exceeding interest. j am afraid, how
ever, that the "light" furnished from this
source would be Of the kind necessarily to be
hidden under a bushel, lest it should reflect un-
pleasantly in consecrsted regions, and throw
shadows upon places that ought always to be
bright. Moreover, such revelations would not
have the effect of supplying our cavalry de-
fciencies, so no real good would be gained.
Alter all, there is nothing to be done but to
keer en- asking "why we have no more cavalry"
Everybody admits that we need it, Everybody
knows that our present supply ia really con-
temptible. Even the Chevalers themselves, they
vino hum patriotic tunes and say the weather
is fine, are free to speak to this extent. But 1t
does not need their testimony 10 make the thing
clear. Unless the established theories OF war are
to be reversed for this special occasion, and
new system put in operation, we cannot 90 into
the field without that important arm. ii the
enemy were equally destitute, it would not be Of
so much account, but it happens that in their
cavalry lies the best part Of their strength. But
apart from this consideration, it would seem that
we must have cavalry for the carrying out Of
our own purposes. 1t is almost impossible to be-
lieye that we are to enter any great battle with
out il. And suppose, even, that We do so at
Manassas Junction, or elsewhere, and that the
victory il with US. Our need Of cavalry, to
pursue and prevent an orderly retreat Of the
Rebel force, does not require to be demonstrated.
defeat which allows the enemy to establish
himself regularly at easy distances, counts for
little, except in the moral effect il may have.
A thorough force of cavalry might cause an utter
rout, and might have the glory of terminating
the war, so far as Virginia il concerned, after
the first battle.
Even now, in slighter ways, the needfuiness Of
g mounted guard along our outposts is mani
tested. Our pickets are meddled with every day.
Sometimes they are captured, sometimes fired at
and wounded. This is all done by rebel cavalry.
They ride about in numbers, at safe distances
from our main body, and fall, at intervals, upon
the outer sentinels, who, being without horses
as rule, are unable to get away, and are forced
10 surrender or sacrifice their lives We ought
TO have the chance Of retaliation. Lieut.. Tomp-
kinss company have other duties TO perform, but
his influence is, nevertheless very forcibly shown
in this regard. Wherever he has passed within
forty-eight hours, piekets stand unmolested He
is perpetual terror TO the rebels, and their &C.
tions confess it. They win not follow his path
while bis footprints remain. A dozen companies
ike his would keep our good men free from
harm, and q picket sentinel would not have to
feel that he stakes his life or his liberty whenever
he starts upon his hazardous duty. / wonder,
too, that we have not yet begun to consider that
it is a shameful thing to allow our guards to
be picked off day and night without attempting
to shcw, by few reprisaIs, that such trifing
cannot be continued with impunty
But this is very unimportant consideration,
compared with the necessities that viii by and
by-perhaps presently-arise. Why, then, have
we no more cagalTyi