The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-29
TO GO WITHOUT HORSES.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CAVALRY IN
CAMP DISMOUNTED.

Col Gordon's Letter to Quartermaster
General West-The Situation Not
Generally Understood and the Order
to Encamp Dismounted Causing a
Good Deal OF Talk in Military Circles.
There is some comment among the news-
papers of the state upon the ordering OF the
cavalry into the state enoampment dis
mounted, and there has been some rather
sharp criticisms of the order by papers
published in towns where there are cavalry
companies
The Augusta Herald said the Augusta
troops did not get into camp at all last year
and it was shame for the cavalry to have
to go in dismounted this year. Most
Of the comments have doubtless been
made without thorough understanding
Of the situation.
Col W. w. Gordon, commander OF the
Fifth Georgia cavalry, is doubtless better
posted upon all matters pertaining to the
| cavalry OF the state than any other person
in the state. He Is now in correspondence
with the officers OF his regiment upon the
| subject Of going into camp dismounted, for
the purpose of ascertaining their views
| upon the subject.
A letter by Col. Gordon, Of recent date
| to Quartermaster General West, from
which the MORNING NEWS 10 permitted to
make free extracts, gives very good idea
Of the situation, and shows that the en-
campment Of the cavalry dismounted Is not
altogether an "unmixed evil"
Col. Gordon says in his letter;
find that wrote Col Kell on the 18th inst ID,
| and stated to him that the regiment could be
transported to Griffin and return home for
| SSS5 20. have been unable to get any rates at
| figures lower than the above, and l think 1t
very unlikely that the railroads will name any
| lower figures.
was very sorry that the appropriation was
not sufficient to provide for the transportation
| and forage of the cavalry during the encamp-
ment this year, but am willing to believe that
the members OF the advisory board made a
| careful! budget OF what must be necessarily ex-
| pended. and to accept their conclusion that the
| funds would not suffice for the cavalry horses
If there is any doubt upon this point THINK u
better TO err upon the side OF caution and not
run any risk OF being compelled 70 go DeIore tne
| next legislature with deficiency.
| In addition to looking at the subject from the
| standpoint of ways desiring TO keep expenses
within the funds available 1t must os remem'
| bered that horses accustomed to being stabbed
| are very difficult to manage when plcketed IN
| line or in the open air; they are unused TO ex'
posure tothe dew at night or the sun In the day
they are unaccustomed to being so clos etogether
| and are always csrtain TO steal each other 8
| food; they are absolutely certain to fight with
| each other and even without fighting are liable
/ to get halter cast. Human nature is such that
| men will submit to personal discomtorts for
! themselves which they are unwilling to submit
| to for their horses, and am sure
that the presence OF horses without
| ton among the men. l carried picket ropes "a
| Camp Richmond, but never used them, and
had the same ropes which had intended to use
| at Camp Anderson at Savannah, but because OF
| the reasons which have before stated 10 re
| gard to the health and comfort OF the horses,
/ insisted upon having stables, feeling that
| stables would add not only to the safety OF the
| horses but to the satisfaction OF the men.
| In addition to this view or the subject IN
reference to the horses, l think their absencs
will enable us to devote very much more time
| to the drill regulations and the various
| lessons 90 bs learned in camp, and for that
reason l think it probable that the men viii
| really learn more if they concentrate upon the
| camp duties and the new drill dismounted, thar
| they would if they attempted to practice the
| mounted drill as well; and in addition thereto
| lose q certain portion OF their time in the
! necessary care of their horses
| Whenever 1t is practicable the cavalry recruit
| Is drilled as dismounted man before he Begin
| to learn the mounted drill, and the members O.
| my regiment as a general rule, really need Il
| give moro time to learning the diSmounted drIt
| than the mounted exercises.
| For the above reason l do not look upon dds
| mounted encampment for the cavalry as an IN
| mixed evil. and hope that it will enable US Il
| progress sufficiently far in the dismounted drill
| as to be able in subsequent encampments to de
vote less time to it, and more time to tbs
mounted exercises.
Col. Gordon has received answers from
the commanders. of five Of the companies o.
the regiment all of whom approve of hi;
| views in connection with the encampmeut
Though they would prefer to go in mounseC
they see the opportunity for great amour
of needed work to be done in camp Will
dismounted. Col Gordon says there i
little doubt but TINT most Of the companies
Of the Fifth cavalry will carry full ranks
The following order has been issued b,
the adjutant general relative to the use o
the new tactics by the cavalry:
STATE OF GEORGIA.
| ApJuTANT GENERALS OFFICE,
ATLANTA, GA, April IS, 1892.
General Orders No. 8.
| The system of drill regulations for cavalr,
prepared by a board Of officers of which Lieut.
Col. John c. Bates, Twentieth infantry, Unite,
States army, is president. having been approves
Oct 3, 1891, by the Secretary of War. aud pub
lshed for the government OF the army and 70
the observance of the militia of the Unie
States, will be strictly observed and en- occe
by the cavclry troops OF this state All cavaIr
| Exercises and maneuvers not embraced in thi
system are prohibited.
| Regimental and battalion commanders Wi
cause this order co be communicated Hithou
delay TO their commands.
By order OF the governor.
JOHN MCINTosH KELL,
Adjutanp and Inspector General
Official: c. b. SATTERLEE, First Lieutenan
Third Artillery, Acting Assistant Adjutant an
Inspector General
Col. Gordon is now supplying the com
panles of she regiment with copies of tn