New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-16

y 1OVSs
use, but also to the proper guardianship of their
beasts, could have been gathered together with
in the border States at any time during the
past ten years. Their military education,
which in this branch is matter OF less i'm
portance, could be speedily Accomplishment
all events to a sufficient extent to develop the
natural qualifications they possess. 1t needed
but little experience in actual conflict to prove
the superior proves Of the Rebel cavalry, and,
once proved, it was plain consequence that
tho advantage should be pushed to its limits,
as it has been by the organization OF troops OF
horse so formidable that their appearance on
any battle field is almost sufficient to turn the
tide of combat in their favor.
The Union cavalry, with exceptions by no
means numerous, are little better than dis
grace to our armies. Made mp, apparently
Of recruits who saw in this particular service
the prospect of lazy immunity from the fatigues
of campaign life it has neither the spirit nor
the endurance which are especially demanded
20 give il the first clements OF utility. More
over, so far as our observation has extended,
our cavalry soldiers average lower grade OF
intellect and manhood than our infantry, when
in fact they should rate higher. As rule, it
ia undoubtedly fair to say that out OF every
regiment, not q squadron can BIO found that
can either ride now, or care ever TO learn.
Their condition in the saddle is perfectly help
less. Their weapons, instead Of being pro-
lection, are only burden to them. Hence the
numerous shameful stories of arms cast away
by our cavalry, preparatory to flight, the
disgrace of which it thus doubled. We should
not like to Say to what extent we believe this
incapacity is shared by officers as well
as prvates With so much ignorance oil the
use of horses, nothing comes more naturally
than their abuse Half the animals sent to
supply the wants of fresh cavalry regiment
might as well be turned into the slaughter
house directly ms dispatched to their destruc-
ton by the devious though not less certain
route of torment and neglect. IL is next TO
impossible TO pass through any one of our vol
un,eer cavalry camps without being shocked at
some exhibition OF cruelty to the animals. We
hive seen q hnlf-drCnhen private cut down
from the horse he was running to death by the
sword of n general officer. The two brutes
fell together, but only tue human one recoy-
cred. His immediate superior Office. being
called 10 account, offered IN extenuation that
the man was Only doing it all for fun Such
fun n. this wastes more treasure than the sup
plies OF al entire regiment cost, aud such fun
will not be brought to an end until new sys-
ten Of discipline and organization is introduced
into our cavalry service.
We anticipate no benefit from the new call .
to enlarge this department Of the service. .
To every incapable regiment we bring into the .
field, the Rebels eau oppose one thoroughly |
competent In arms and appointments they
may be Inferior, but since the principal use
made of their weapons by our cavalry IL to
throw them away, we do not see that this in
equality counts for much. 1t appears, indeed, that
with 4 little more encouragement OF the eccen-
tricities of our horscmen, we might presently
strew Virginia or Maryland soil with carbInes,
pistols, aud sabers enough to more than meet
deficiency the Southern side might
suffer in this respect We have no disposition
10 dsparage the value of Il competent aud dis
cpned cavalry. Such force would have
saved us from many disasters in tho recent
campaign But 10 increase this arm according
t. the system which has hitherto been tolerated,
would be- TO needle.sy deplete our resources and
misuse our meaas The most effective, aid at |
present We believe, the only way to meet the
Rebel cavalry is with abundant artillery, well
The same number OF men and the
same amount of money required to make up
new regiment of horse would furnish hali-a-
dozen irst-cass batteries aud part of their sup
ports. II should be remembered, too, that
~ bile the Rebels laugh our cavalry to sc0rn, it
our artillery tlatthey fear the most from. De-
cd liy II is 90 time TO waste material in the
WRONG direction. Give Us decent cavalry, or
sre us some. hing else, upon which we may put
Is little trust.
ss--s-~-s<z 7-svr'-<r E.a-.Is
Tie HOrid either Is or affects to be shocked
at the uuiru,h oil iioratio seymour in quoting