New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-16

Union.
THR USES OF CAVALRY IN WAR.
Tho only noticeable instance in which cavalry
has come into service in this campaign was the
dashing exploit of Lieut. Tompkins at Fairfax,
where, with only small troop, he successfully
performed q very daring feat. and showed the
great value of this military arm. 1t is probable
that II the original plan Of the campaign dis
pensed with the use Of cavalry, subsequent
events have compelled such changes in the pro-
grammo as 10 render its employment indispensa-
bic to success. The public are gratfod at
knowing that the army is to be strengthened by
powerful force of this description. Regiments
are being formed, while others have been com.
psted, and are now in Virginia, most of which
lumber I5OO men each. Others IRE being daily
transported thither, but none but those at the
head of affairs know the number now in service,
nor how many moro will be raised. The most
we know on this subject 10 that some 10000
horses have been purchased by Government. and
that contractors are still securing the country in
search Of others Many Of these are undoubt-
edly required for artillery and baggage trains,
but the great bulk Of them are msnifestly in.
tended for cavalry regiments. All the facts 90
to show that vast force Of this description 10
to be brought into the field. As both men and
horses require time in which to acquire that
drill and practice which alone make them formi-
dable, 1t Ia most probable that the long delay Of
any new army movement is to some extent occa-
stoned BY the necessity Of thoroughly instructing
both man and horse.
An army consists Of three different descriptions
of troops--artillery, cavalry, and infantry. Each
description is complete in itself, each has its dis.
tinct characteristic; the gunner, for example, is
in battle directed only by the art which he prac-
tees; the infantry perform their duty quietly
and coectedyj the cavalry, impelled by excite
ment, boldly and impetuously. From these char.
acteristics may be deduced the qualifications
which the leaders of the different arms should
possess. The ancient nations were partial to
cavalry, and so long as tho sword, bodily
strength, deIterity, and personal courage gained
the victory, battles were generally decided BY
cavalry But as the nations advanced in ciyilz.
alton and military discipline, the number of
cavalry in their armies was diminished. Rome,
when her discipline was highest, had little cav
airy. 1t was the same among the Greeks and
Persians under Cyrus. AS tue Roman discipline
relaxed and their cavalry increased, the empire
approached to its decline and fall. Thus, among
undisciplined and unenightened nations, cavalry
is the first arm; among those where discipline
and education have advanced, it is the second;
hnx "a m 70 tha
of the first, that the best military authorities
declare that no victory can be made complete
without its assistance. Napoleon relied upon his
cavalry reserves, which rendered him brilliant
service in his Consular campaigns and their ab-
sence in 1913, impaired the success Of his best
planned enterprises. His estimate Of their value
was extrnvagant, for he asserted emphaticaly to
Las Cnsas, that cavalry, surprising the men
"on both sides to be equal in number, equal
in bravery, and equally well led, must
" always break infantry" But the facts occur.
ring previous to this singular avowal and within
bis own knowledge, contradict him; for Water.
loo was gained by the British almost without
the aid Of cavalry, while Ney commanded 5000
hofsemen, including Kellerman's celebrated
cuirassiers and their desperate charges failed on
every occasion to break the British squares. At
the Pyramids. there was not only equality in |
bravery and leadership, but superiority in mum.
Der on the part Of the Mameluke cavalry, and |
yet the French squares remained invincble. On |
that occasion, 1000 Mameukes with dauntless
advanced through the interval be-
tween the divisions Of Dessaix and Regnier, and,
riding round both squares strove to find an
entrance; but o cool, deliberate, and incsssant
IRE from every front MOVED them down as fast
10 they poured in at tho opening Made furious
BY this horrible resistance, the Mamelukes
dashed their horses against the rampant of bayo.
lets, threw their pistols at the heads of tho
while many, who had lost their
lorses, crept along the ground and with their
meters cut at the legs Of the front ranks.
But 10 was all in vain. Multitudes persisted
nder the incessant fire of musketry, and the
ew survivors Of that terrible carnage aed in