The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-06-07
THE USE OF CAVALRY.
Two Versions of the Famous "DeatIi
Ride" at RezOnvilIe.

Two Versions of the Famous "Death
Ride" at RezOnvilIe.
The recent death of the Prussian Gen
eral, Bredow, has given rise to some ex-
aggeration in several journals respect
ing 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 illustra-
ton 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 accom-
plish 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 it 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 mad
ness, 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 it is all blown to
the winds by both French and German
evidence of its marvellous result. ''At
about half past twelve o'clock" says
French writer, ''our second corps was
weakening, and Marshal Bazaine sent
out two squadrons of lancers and CUR
assiers of the guard to cover the retreat.
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, POS
men, and 243 horses. But reinforce
ments came to us and the position of the
enemy became critical. Their third
corps in particular suffered 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 afterwards never moved"
On the German side Prince Hohenlohe
says that the effect of the cavalry
charges of the day, and especially late
in the evening, was to demoralize tho
French, who retired abandoning the
field of battle thathad been disputed all
day. while on the other hand Marshal
Brzaine could not understand such a
daring movement except on the theory
that his adversaries had received con-
siderable achievements, and that is
why he retreated at night and trans
formed this undecided battle into Ger
many victory. If, instead of allowing
himself to be inundated and disCour-
aged Bazaine had attacked us with all
his reserves, he would have won beyond
. doubt a brilliant victory over the
Prussian army, inferior in numbers and
exhausted as it was by the fight of the
previous day"
When it is remembered that Bazaine
in this struggle was endeavoring to
reach MacMahon, the Importance of the
cavalry action which really turned tho
tide of battle, can be easily appreciated.
1t remains to be seen what cavalry
can do in the future, with the increased
difficulties in store for it, in the shape
of smokeless powder and magazine guns.