The Washington critic., 1890-05-21
BREDow,s DEATH RIDE.
An Example of what "a Cavalry
Charge Can Do.

An Example OF what Cavalry
Charge Can Do.
From the New York Sun.
The recent death of the Prussian
general, Bredow, has given rise to some
exaggeraiion in several journals re-
specting his famous charge, known as
the death Ride" at Rezonville on the
10th Of August, 1870.
The real facts in the case derived
from both French and German sources
are interesting, principally in the illus.
tration which they give of the part that
cavalry may still be able to play in
modern warfare, Notwithstanding 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 compare
lively little loss. II is quite true that
Bredow's Brigade cut through the
French line Of infantry, reached the
artillery, sabered the gunners aud
passed on toward the French cavalry;
but it is not true that II struck that
cavalry, which was massed In front of
1t. 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 Sc
verely criticised, but 1t is all blown to
the winds by both French and German
evidence of its marvellous result. ''At
about half-past 10 O'clock" says a.
French writer, "our Second Corps was
weakening. and Marshal Bazaine sent
out two squadrons of lancers and
cuirassiers Of the guard to cover the re-
treat. These troops came in contact
with the Sixth Division of Prussian
cavalry, which was sent out in pursuit.
In the shock our cuirassiers lost %
officers, 208 men and 243 horses. But
reinforcements came to us. and the pc.
sition Of the enemy became critical,
Their Third Corps in particular suf-
fered severely, and became separated
from the rest of the army and from its
reserves. 1t was then that General
Alvensleben sent out Bredow's brigade,
which saved the Third Prussian Army
Corps and paralyZed for the rest of the
day our Sixth Corps, which up to that
moment was on the advance, but after
wards never moved.
On the German side Prince Hohen-
lohe says that the effect of the cavalry
charges of the day, and especially late
In. the evening, was to demoralize the
| French, who retired abandoning the
| field of battle that had been disputed
! all day, while on the other hand Mar,
| shal Bazaine could not understand such
| daring movement except on the theory
that his adversaries had received con-
siderable reinforoements, and that is
why he retreated at night and trans,
| formed this undecided battle into a
German, victory. If, instead of allow.
ing himself to be beintimidated aud dis
couraged, Bazaine had attacked us with
! all his reserves, he would have won be.
| yond a doubt brilliant victory over
the Prussian army, inferior in numbers
and exhausted as 1t was by the fight OF
the previous day"
| When 1t is remembered that Bazine
| in this struggle was endeavoring tC
reach MacMahon, the importance of the
calvary action, which really turned the
tide of battle, can be easily appreciated
1t remains to be seen what calvary
can do in the future, with, the increased
| difficulties in store for 1t in the shape
of smokeless powder aud magazine
| pllng