The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-07-09
The CAVALRY SERVICE.
An Interesting Letter rom Gen. Mer
rift on the Use of the Sabre.

AhC11LAsL W lo.s III 20. lOlf.
| To the Editor oft Army and Navy Jour
nal.
SIR: In your leader of June 81 the
following appears, upon which I beg to
make comment: "The article of Gen.
Cooke, to which a correspondent refers
in another column, presents with force
the arguments for the cavalry of the
olden time, which have already appear
ed in the Journal in articles contribut-
ed by Gen. Cooke himself, Gen. Merritt
and others. .
l cannot speak of Gen Cooke, except
to express u high opinion of his views
on professional matters, and to claim
the greatest regard for his cultivation
and practical ability as a cavalry Of
ficer; but for myself object to being
placed in the class of ''non-progress-
lists" and charged even by implication
with adhering blindly to the principles
of the cavalry "'of We olden time"
And, by the way, | think Gen. Cooke,
if we may judge of an officer by his
works, has shown a reasonable spirit
for innovation by proposing before the
war a system of tactics of which the
present is a poor imitation, and by now
admitting the carbine as an arm for
cavalry
If fighting, writing, talking and con-
tending for the retention OF the sabre
for cavalry, places an officer In the
category of the ''ancients,n then 1 will
have to submit to the assignment, but
am rejoiced to find myself in excellent
company, both at home and abroad.
Those who contend for changes in
the cavalry service forget the changes
which have been made In our, to us,
recent experience in the war. Did we
not learn and profit by our practical
lessons at that time, as well as the in
fantry and artillery? Nay, more, did
not our most experienced officers, the
first year of the war, show a disposition
for change and improvement, not dis
until later, the one by devising and
proposing new tactics, and the others
by approving them? The truth is the
cavalry was ut that time inclined TO in
%novation and improvement more than
any other arm Of the service, and the
changes for the better were prevented
by officers bred and trained in the 9TH
er arms of the service. And it is equal.
ly true, as vas but natural, under the
existence of this state OF things, that
the cavalry emerged from the war as
well fitted for service under the
improvements in modern warfare
as was any other arm.
We lost much by not being
organized the first two years OF the war,
but still we learned enough towards
the close to teach the cavalry of the
old world lessons it is likely toproht by.
We exploded the twin theories adhered
to by the old leaders. that cavalry was
not a defensive arm, and that a cavalry
soldier could not fight well on foot and
at the same time be effective in a
hiih thhikt. III oiOlts VIC nlus-
trated to the world the fact that all in
struction given him as a soldier better
fitted the cavalryman for his legitimate
duties, provided he was not required on
foot to contend with mounted sol
diers.
Sir Henry Havelock, In speaking of
the cavalry action at Dinwiddie c. II.
and Five Forks, says: without one
thought of disparagement to onr SPLEEN
did cavalry, who have no more sincere
admirer than the writer, it is not too
much to say that no British cavalry
that he has aver been associated with
have either the arms, training, equip
ment, or instruction, to have enabled
them under similar circumstances to
play this part of independent and I'M
supported self-suhicing action at a dis
lance from the other two arms.n
We presume our claim to have grad
uated with honor in the school of war
will not be disputed in this country.
Then, why cripple lis by ~depriving us
of part Of the mean by which these
honors were gatheredp AS well take
an arm from Hanlan, and a leg from
Weston, with a view to improving their
chances for future victories in their
respective athletic contests.
Does any one suppose that Buford.
the finished soldier by education, with
his brigade commanders Chapman and
Devin, soldiers by experience, would
not have thrown away their sabres ear
ly in the war, If they had found them
useless incumbrancesp But it is folly
to pursue this theme further. Either
our cavalry officers and soldiers during
the war were without sound judgment
and capacity to profit by their exper-
fence, or they, by not discarding the
sabre, should silence the clamors of
those whose experience in the arm is
limited.
What we know to be good let us hold
fast to. Our armament as we finished
the war is one dictated by prudence,
proved by experience, and sanctiRed
by well earned glories. If either arm
should be given up as overwhelming
the soldier and being least useful, let il
be the pistol; but let the cavalry retain
the carbine, and above all the sabre.
Very respectfully, ETC.,
W. MERRITT, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. u. S. A.
Colonel 9Th cavalry.