New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-28
the public fully understands their uses and svai''
| abilities
THE SECOND ARMY powEH.


of peace is marked by an almost total abandon
ment of the cavalry arm of the service. Though
ranking next to Infantry 10 value, and outrank-
ing artillery, yet while the others are maintained
at high point of efficiency, the cavalry is per.
mited to be almost disbanded. We see this fact
obtaining in our own service. 1t has been
equally conspicuous in British history. The
British Army, when sent to Turkey IN 1854,
though $4,000 strong, had but 1900 cavalry,
about one-twelfth, whereas the ordinary proper
ton of cavalry TO infantry should be onc-fitb.
Hence even English writer's pronounced this
handful of dragons preposterous That was an
offensive, not defensive war, and cavalry be-
longs exclusively to the offensive arm: therefore
the necessity for keeping it up in time of peace
is generally acknowledged. But its enormous
expensiyeness is such, that on the return OF
peace the nations all hasten to reduce expcndi-
lures. Cannon, which neither consume food,
scken nor die, are not only retained in full force,
but are constantly augmented but horses, which
are continually eating, and which at all times
require the most delicate handling to keep them
clear of the hospital, are quickly parted with.
On tie breaking out Of hOstilties, cavalry regi-
ments must therefore be formed, and that bellIg-
erent who sets ABOUT it at once, will be Likely to
secure the first successes Of tho campaign. The
very term of cavalry presupposes careful
organization, which cannot be secured Immedi-
ately on the breaking out OF war. Newly raised
squadrons can be of little service in the field.
At Waterloo, Won IIakes hussars did incalcula-
bic mischief 1t requires, according to standard
European authorities full twelve months instruc-
ton before the cavalry recruit aud his horse can
be rendered thoroughly fit for duty. 1t must
thus be evident that the hurried augmentation of
dragon regiment must be carefully avoided
A battalion of infantry may be suddenly increased
without much deranging its action in the field
A great part of the British and Hanoyeran IN
lantry at Waterloo was little better than raw
militia Our own history shows what similarly
formed troops can accomplish; but few I'M
broken horses will throw q whole line OF cavalry
into disorder and defeat every effort Of the most
talented commander.
From facts occurring all around us, il i' evil
dent that the Government is bringing into the
field greater body Of cavalry than has ever
beer collected on this continent. SO great an
army of horsemen being new to American expe-
rience, it will be- an interesting study to look
into the probabilities Of its accomplishing the OBJ
iects for which it was created rs well as TO
show the decisive value of such force when led
by great commander into action. Ii cannot be
a. difficult to create effective cavalry in this
country as il Is in Europe. The means, the Ia
cilltIes, the habits Of our people are essentially
different from those Of Europeans and the Gi-
ference is 10 our favor. Here, millions OF men
are the owners of horses, and they are at the
sane time accomplished riders. FOuduess for a
horse is a striking trait in the American chsrac-
ter, extending even to the women. Racing is
everywhere 30 attractive past!me that even
legislation has been unable to suppress it. From
the background il has been traDspsnted to the
trOttiug-course of every agricultural exhibition IN
the country. Our readers all know that around
those magic circles the greatest crowds contin-
ually cluster. Not men only, but the women
stand for hours, the former crticSing, the latter
sdmiripg all they witness. A fast nag may
excite applause from some, but q courageous rider
commands universal admiration. This natural
love for horses has been noted as distinguishing,
even in boyhood, the greatest cavalry officers
who have over lived.
From the race.course and the county fair it
has taken the dignifed aud seryiceable shape of
local cavalry troops. There are other organized
bodies Of horsemcn in various States, established
for tie single purpose Of detecting horse-theves
mutual protection clubs, in which the people
of entire townships combine and at moments
warning mount horse and scour tho country.
So complete is this organization that the thief
rarely escapes except by abandoning his spoil;
the stolen horse is always recovered. The rcgu-
larry uniformed county troops exist all over the
country. They appear in large numbers at
every military parade aud Mt all OF the numer-
GUS peace encampmeuts which are annually
established. Before the gaows was required TO
perform its work within the prison walls, it was
invariably surrounded 10y cavalry. This existence
of local companies must be known to most OF us
Neither have they been mere temporary organi-
cations, for there are some now active and eff
Gent which gathered lnurels at Trenton and
Princeton. Thus our national aptitude for cav
airy service has long been apparent All these
men and horses have been drilled for yearf.
Granting that it requires twelve months instruc-
ton before the cavalry recruit and his horse are
thoroughly fit for duty, what scattered multi
tude of welLdriled troopers already exist among
us. The Government is now combining them
into regiments The facts recited show that the
country is not so destitute Of cavalry as care
less view of the subject might suggest. Most
bannilv other facts might bo mentioned TO show