The New York herald., 1866-07-05
Vow Use for Cavalry I'm Europeaa
Armies.

Armies.
The late rebellion in this country was revo-
luton affecting not only the political and so
cial status Of the country, but one developing
singular important innovations in science and
the arts, particularly in the military art. Not
the least remarkable Of these was the revolu-
cavalry. In the time of Napoleon, and even
down to the peace of Villafranca, the cavalry
Of a European army were its "wings" Aside
from its duty Ia covering the fanks of the in
fantry, the cavalry was only used in pursuit Of
the enemy or in covering retreat. Instead of
using it as the "wings" we employed cavalry
during our late war as the "eyes of the
and rear Of the infantry. forming per-
feet Gordon Of videttes around . moving or en-
camped force. 1t ss2 IA fought as cavalry, but
as infantry, and before the war ended the cav
airy came TO be Familiarity called amounted
infantry" We also found another use for 1t.
We organized Independent armies of this
mounted infantry, which, accompanied by
horse artillery, raided through every part Of
the enemy's territory, marching as cavalry and
fighting as infanTy, and doing good service
against the lines Of communication and tho
storehouses of the enemy.
1t appears by the late news from Europe that
this lesson has not been lost upon at least one
Of the European Powers. Prussia, it will be
remembered, was wise enough to detail and
instruct large numbers of the officers OF her
army to come to this country and observe
our mode Of fighting, and they fought on both
sides during our late struggle. What they
witnessed was remembered and has been
promptly acted upon. The Prussian cav
airy, one of the best in Europe, has learned
lesson from US and the whole Prussian system
of organ x ,tion, as far as this arm OF their ser
vice is concerned, is to be changed. Under
the old organization large number of regi-
ments of cavalry were attached to each corps
ddrns6e, and performed duty as the wings OF
chat corps Under the new organization only
one cavalry regiment is allowed to a corps, TO be
used just as we used them, as videttes and body
guards; while the remainder is to be or
ganized, with heavy force Of horse artillery,
into large independent army, to move, inde-
pendently of the infantry, upon unguarded
points and lines of communication. and to
lay waste and destroy the enemy's country.
Such force turned loose in the thickly settled
agricultural districts of Europe would be for
midabie indeed; and successful raid would
materially affect the issues Of campaign.
This is very important and admirable In
novation; but it may prove a very dangerous
one in the hands Of our European amateur
imitators. Organizing . great army is one
thing and finding great leaders is another.
Good organizers are seldom great leaders, -
witness Mcclellan and Halleck. The Prussians
may find their cavalry as raiders in very dan
gerous positions, unless they possess such
leaders as we had to conduct them. The Inn
portation Of our ideas Is all very well, but our
Prussian friends must not forget to import alss
something Of the dash Of Sheridan, the daring
Of Rousseau, the belligerency Of Hooker, the
boldness and nonchalance of Steedman, tho
enterprise Of Wilson, the vigor of Sherman,
the tenacity OF Thomas, and the genius Of
Grant