The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-29
POLO IN THE ARMY.

To rHx EDITOR OF HERALD
Letters have been received from officers in some
of cavalry regiments the Plains asking for in
formation in reference TO tic rules and regulations
governing the game OF polo 1t is understood that
these officers propose to introduce the game into
their camps amusement aud instruction for both
officers and men, The interest shown in polo by
our correspondents Is worthy of public approval in
more respects than one. Polo merely game,
but a problem, involving many conditions, and
these conditions required TO make the perfect
airy soldiers. There is branch Of TIE in
which the education is difficult
the cavalry, and there Is probably
in the army where the drill is imper-
feet. We have such opportunities for
cavalry practice in Europe force measre,
and wo have none of those mammoth movements or
inspections or reviews which keep the Continental
armies in a state Of efficiency. see that
OF the HERALD correspondents with the Indian advance
stated the other day that twenty men had fallen
during The march against Sitting Bull The march was
severe one, but not exceptionally | have no
doubt that Sitting Bull and his rctinuc would have
laughed at i,s hardshps But sitting Bull has the best,
as we have the cavalry in the world The fact
that in small command like that OF Crook twenty
soldiers should be been disabled IN single march
from fatigue shows indrerenuy horsemen
trained.
The officers of the British Army. especially in India,
have the value of polo no, merely In game but
as an education. 1t has long been one of The
amusements in their camps The first thing
CURED IN gooi cavalryman is that no should be un-
conscious OF his horse 1t should be much part
him that his mind could be gwen the charge, the
advance, the lookou, for the enemy tho handling of
the sabre. Under cumbersome system OF drill the
trooper never loses this CONSCIOUSNESS. He is 30
drilled and drilled. down uround and around in
treadmlll fashion, that his horse becomes a kind of
nightmare TO him. and he loses that clumsy
gait which distinguishes our cavalry soldiers from
those IN other armies. The first thing expert
polo player learns is this perfect command of
his horse. His mind is given to tho
game to us varying exgencics, to the thousand and
incidents of the field which give polo value aud
interest His horse becomes part OF him. His prac-
tcc with the malet like the sabre drill He parties
and thrusts, and measures distances with mahemat-
accuracy. Moro than all polo is an amusement,
dr. Ill hard work. Soldiers like the rest OF the
world, delight in abors which iroc
spirit OF emulation, the intense yearnng for mastery,
Tor success, which the soldier is the
oil the game and inspires those who play it TO the ut
most Efforts for victory. On tho other hand the dr
is dull, steady task, accepted with reluctance and
abandoned with delight
1t is wise therefore, for officers the Plains to
introduce this game into their camps They Will find it
improves the troops 1t Is game that should be intro
duced into our military schools, ana especially West
Point. Our cadets give good deal of time cavalry
drill and with about the results those achieved
by the soldiers To them polo would be great advan-
,agc They would learn more OF the principles Of
true horscmanshp IN series Of games OF polo
Than a season OF the scveres drilling. The profess
should encourage the introduction of the game.
The is of other colleges. 1t is quite as
important to the education OF gentleman, whether in
the army OF IT, that he should Know how ride.
1t is impor than that he should know how
or throw ball over field And all we'll man.
aged colleges give attention to the education Of
their students and encourage manly sports 1t would be
wise Tor their directors to initiate the example OF the
officers tho Plains, and, In Introducing polo into their
Fairgrounds, give the young who preparing Tor
the world the many opportunities II affords Tor educa
ton AS well as amusement Yours,
CAVALRY OFFICER
NEw Aupus