Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-06-16

span as he does the clothes that cover
himself. But on the march, of course,
the horseman has the advantage,
though a days ride is quite as ia
tiguing on the spine as a days march
Is tiring to the legs of an infantryman.
In Cuba there will be a necessity for
q force of marauders who can rapidly
pass from point to point and cut off
communications, if only temporarily,
of a force that can harass the rear of
an enemy in retreat, and that in case
necessity arises can make the sweep
ing charge that drives a half-hearted
enemy from defensive positions. 1t
doesn't seem likely that there will be
any occasion for our cavalry in Cuba
to duplicate the ride Of the Six Hun
dred at Balaklava, but it may have
plenty of occasion to show the stuff
that is in this branch of the service.
The cavalry is in tip-top condition
and in fine fighting fettle. 1t has been
wrestling with the redskins in the
West and making arduous marches at
times across sunburnt plains, in heat
the rival of Cuban temperature. 1t
has been scouting and fighting in the
West and is ready now for the Span
iards in the plains, hills and swamps
of Cuba.
Uncle Sam buys no common stock.
Horses for the cavalry service must be
animals of the first class, of certain
age, within certain weights and of cer-
tain height, sound in wind and limb.
Large breeders of and dealers in horses
all over the country keep the wants of
the United States in view at all times.
A horse that is useless for breeding or
racing may be just the thing for a
magnificent cavalry horse and bring
handsome price for the army.
More than 10000 horses are in use
at all times in the army when on
peace footing, and to replace the worn
out specimens every year requires the
purchase of 10 per cent, or say 1000
year. The purchases are made by Off
GERS in the service who are known to
be thoroughly good judges of horse
in every point.
When they go into the market they
are fairly overwhelmed with offers Of
animals deemed suitable for the SER
vice. There are trotters in whose
veins the Hambletonan blood courses
or the blood of the celebrated family
of Wilkes from the Blue Grass region
of Kentucky. And the running stock,
too, comes into competition with the
trotting stock. There are Longfellows
and Hanovers and Hindoos and Bran
bles, horses that had all the richest
of running blood but lacked in speed.
The clapping of fair hands never greet
ed their ears as they came under the
wires winners of a Derby or handicap,
and wreaths of roses never encircled
| their archng necks. But they may
| hear the beating of the drums and the
| roll OF the artillery. AS war horses
they can do the customary neighing
and prance delightedly when the smoke
of battle greets their nostrils.
AS to the type of horse best suited
for the cavalry, color is all important
A white horse has no show whatever,
and a dun or yellow but little better
chance. Bays, blacks and sorrels are
preferred The horse must be gentle
and bridlewse. without trace of
viciousness in his makeup, for, how
ever vicious the rider may be in bat
tie. the horse must not be wicked In
his behavior The mouth of a cavalry
horse must be moderately sensitive at
least. for horse with a hard mouth
is all but uncomfortable in action.
Nothing but geldings are taken, and
every one must be between Is and 16
hands high and weigh between 1000
! and 1000 pounds.