The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-30
BREDOW'S DEATH Ride.
An Example of What a Cavalry
Charge Can Do.
From The Nelo York sun


From the Netc York sun
The recent death of the Prussian general,
Bredow, has given rise to some exaggera-
ton in several journals respecting his IA
nous charge, known as the death Ride.
at Rezonville. on Aug. 10, 1870.
The real facts in the case derived from
both French and German sources are inter
esting, principally in the illustration which
they give of the part that cavalry may still
be able TO play in modern warefare, not
outstanding all the modern improvements
in the art of shooting. This death Ride"
and other cavalry engagements during that
battle showed clearly enough that, in spite
of the chasSepot and the needle gun,
mounted men in 1870 could still accomplish
wonders with comparatively little loss. 1t
is quite true that Bredow's brigade cut
through the French line of infantry
reached the artillery. sabered the gunners
and passed on toward the French cavalry;
but 1t is not true that it struck that cavalry,
which was massed in front of it. On the
contrary, seeing that such an attack would
be sheer madness, Bredow wheeled about
and once more passed through the lines
which he had broken and reformed at about
the same place from which he started.
This charge has sometimes been severely
criticised. but it is all blown to the winds
marvellous result. "Atabout Il 80 o'clock"
says French writer, ''Our second corps
was " eakening, and Marshal Bazaine sent
out two squadrons of lancers and cuirassiers
of the guard to cover the retreat These
troops came In contact with the Sixth Di-
vision of Prussian cavalry, which was sent
out In pursuit. In the shock our cuirassiers
lost twenty-five officers, POS men, and 243
horses. But reiDforcements came to us, aud
the position of the enemy became critical.
Their third corps in particular suffered
seve. ely and became separated from the
rest of the army and from its reserves. 1t
was then that Gen. Alvensleben sent out
Bredow's brigade, which saved the Third
Prussian Army Corps and paraIyzed
for the rest of the day our Sixth corps,
which, up to that moment, was on the ad-
vance, but afterward never moved"
On the German side Prince Hohenlohe
says that the effect of the cavalry charges
of the day, and specially late in the even
ing, was to demoralize the French, who re-
tired, abandoning the field of battle that
had been disputed all day, while on the other
hand Marshal Bazaine could not understand
such daring movement except on the the
Dry that nis adversaries had received con-
siderable reinforcements, and that is why he
retreated at night and transformed this I'M
decided battle into a German victory. If,
instead of allowing himself to be intimi-
dated and discouraged, Bazaine had attacked
us with all his reserves, he would have won
beyond doubt brilliant victory over the
Prussian army, inferior in numbers and ex-
hausted as it was by the fight of the previ-
Gus day
When it is remembered that Bazaine in
this struggle was endeavoriEg to reach
MacMahon, the Importance of the cavalry
action, which really turned the tide of bat
tie. can be easily aDpreciated
1t remains to be seen what cavalry can
do in the future, with the increasing diff
culties in store for it, in the shape of smoke
less powder and magazine guns