The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-29
oArA1nr 10 raE rnoxr,
u IL SIN the Rye ana the Arut OF az Aruy
THO VIeMs OF 3 Rreneh GeneraI.


In the opinion Of many experts the improve.
ments in artillery and small arms which have
been going on at such n furious rate during the
past fifteen years have reduced the part TO: DO
played by cavalry in'actual warfare to simply
accommodating services. This opinion lie not
hold by Gen. Barail, no mean authority GER
tainly. In n letter printed in the Guutofs the
General says:
~ do not agree with certain theorists who
think that on account of long range and rapid
firing guns. tho part Of cavalry In actual bat
tie is finished forever, snnd that II must be .re.
duced to the service OF exploration and recon.
noissance. Cavalry, they tell us. may In future
be ono Of the eyes OF an army, 1t can never be
one of its arms.
Entertaining n directlyscontrary opinion, l
addressed n report to Gen. Cissey in 1875 which
is still In the archives Of the War Ministry,
recommending an increase In the number Of cav.
airy regiments, and my recommendations have
been practically adopted, for to-day six or seven
divisions OF independent cavalry are cche-
loned from Paris to Luneville.
"A'single brigade of cavalry could not.be util.
lied except in case the army corps to which 1t
belonged was compelled 10 act separately. 1t Is
very probable that in the future war the cam.
| paign will begin by immense shocks Of cavalry,
the result of which is bound to have consider
able influence upon tho march of events. The
moral moral efrects i" have &c an sies estraordinary bearing
upon tho Issue Of = Sanpaigpp. TIL The great , EN-.
necessary to change tactics every ten years in
order to preserve any acquired superiority over
adversarfes. The Germans in 1870 seem to
of that principle. Formerly a battle was com.
inenced by an infantry action. A line OF Skin.
Columns. va" The ,"a artillery Gy' was held in reserve.
At Wageau the famous battery OF 100 guns
rim until a n'ClpCE i'm tho uffarnnnn In 1874
threw into line a great portion of their artii-
airy, which would have been Insufficient to de-
fend 1t against n bold and decisive attack.
armies. Tho shells came thick:and fast, and our
soldiers were astonished at such a furious COM
imencement on the part OF the enemy. It was not
known that the erman exposed their artillery
side the Generals h~esitated to put their cavalry
distance to the murderous fire OF q powerful
and well:served artillery.
lery was protected only by a few squadrons Of
cavalry, how quickly they. would have EN-.
F PIos ssau tsei BE- OWN Snd s%y onc e SSsins Ni e ali Thu he S aTsi:
that have, been admirably described by the
"But, instead OF acting in that way. our Gen.
orais tried to reply to the fire Of the enemy
lery duels ended always to our disadvantage
giving time TO the enemy TO bring tho mass Of
his forces upon the field, while we lost the Rd-
vantage that we might have taken at the DO.
ginning by a bold and enterprising cavalry at
tack.
Nevertheless we had not lost the recollection
of the great exploits of Lasalle. Montbrun,
Saint Croix, and Curley. 1t is by their noble
example that our young cavalry should be in.
spired so that it may be able, II necessary, to
show itself worthy Of its illustrious predeces,
sors. 1t is with this view that its practical
instruction ought to be conducted. II should
be convinced that its great role is by no means
finished, and that II war should come there
will still be glorious days for the cavalry"