Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-12

hrsone will answer for ordinary drills and
home service but actusl service On campaigns
will require the cavalry s'rltih and pFlcIe' III
dividually, I prefer the Mc1ican rs lar more
comfortable than any other 70 man ahd morse.
Our State has adopted no particular STYLE OF
horse furniture Each troop eqnii's 'tScil rs IL
likes and there are as many styles a. there are
troous. RI the State %ou!d authorize 4 con-
tract with some Of our many saddle and ha:.
ness establishments, for the manufacture OF
cavalry equipments tens OF thousands OF dol
lars might be disbursed at home instead OF 60
ing North. Knorr. kneuss 4: Co.. Of PhliadeI-
mia can quickly ill large orders for horse fur
n;tnre # time can,,ot be allowed to have them
filled at home.
As TO tactics, the only authorized Look IS
the one adopted by order Of Secretary Pom
sett many years ago. 1t contains u'any errors
and numerous pages quite useless 10 'o'''"'
teers, but adding two-thirds TO the cost
Major Gilha.ns work is liable TO the latter
objection, but is valuable to infantry and 7rtI',
lerv officers. 1t is only in cavalry schools and
CAMPS tina: the various drills laid down IN
these works can be carried out. Gentleman 81
various calirgs meeting once or TWICE lott
night would require Il year to become tolcTanie
conversant with the preliminary schools
1t is necessary then TO form the squadron,
at once, and while studying the principles and
movements Of that school, adhere to those pre-
scribed for the trooper and tie platoon. The
ronpauy NAV be divided into two, three or
four platoons according to strength. The SIN
OLE IANS IS Away preferable for volunteers
csnecially if firearms are to lie used. Where
the extent Of battle-ground is small, or when the
number Of troops exceed one Hundred, two
ranks may be used in the uanceuYres E'Ghty
rank and file may perform the squadron eSer-
else in five plaloons. Ninety-six may be Or
ranized in Que double rank squadron, or may
practice the regirucatal evolutiuns in two single
rank squadrons Of forty-eight troopers each.
The platoon must Or :: multiple Of four, the
squadron multiple either Of twelve or sixteen.
In addition to the dragoon arms r:commenu-
ed, the State should order the Immediate proof
of several important Virginia improvements
amongst them, the rifles Of Mcssrs. Babcock and
DeBow.
In all cases where muzzle-lOaders mast be
used for want of the more suitable arms recota-
mendcd above, the new cartridge, invented by
Mr.. McEvoy, Of Richmond, ought to be adopt
ell It is easily rendered waterproof; no pow
der is spilled in loading with it; and the rapid
ty Of firing greatly increased
As it regards music, although the most ordi.
| nary commands in every description of mounted
service, are given by trumpet or bugle, and al
though no other mode o.! communicating orders
will answer in the din Of conflict or in stormy
weather, yet no provision has been made or is
likely to De made by the State, for the instruction
Of cavalry trunrpesers. (Ths remark applies
equally TO our light infantry and rife corps.)
The officers and non. conlaiss ioncd officers OF
cavalry ought to be assembled BY regiments,
without delay, in harrack or camp, for the pur-
pose OF instruction.
The EXPENSE should be borne by the STATE
and competent instructors anu musicians called
into service and literally paid.
Thus the shadow might soon become sub
stance, and our noble material elaborated into
the finest squadrons and regiments in the world.
1t is proper to observe, III conclusion, that the
above are for, tho most part only the Sugges-
lions Of prirGte citizen, carrying with them
10 authority whatever, yet based upon the
opinions Of eminent commanders and the limit
cd experience Of the writer, who offers them to
his brother volunteers for what they arc worth
and no more Very respectfully,
J. LUCICS DAVIS.