Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-29
TROOPS To MAKE
CAVALRY RAID OF
THESHENANDOAH
Realistic Advance Next Month
Into the Historic Valley May
Mean New System.
70 MILES FROM CAPITAL
Reorganization Plans Will Be Put
to Severe Test During the
Strenuous Campaign.
70 MILES FROM CAPITAL

WASHINGTON. June 2S.-Troopers
at Fort Myer have begun prepara-
tions for their 70-mile march into the
Shenandoah Valley next month to
participate in maneuvers expected to
result in reorganization of the mount
ed forces of the army.
The Shenandoah Valley. where
Phil" Sheridan made his famous ride
50 years ago, has been chosen as the
bloodless battle ground for the test.
For two months this summer a full
brigade Of cavalry and a battery of
horse artillery will maneuver and
fight" over the red roads. the green
hills, and fields near Winchester.
The department has leased a tract
of ground one mile broad and two
miles long in the heart Of the Shen-
andoah, 20 miles away. and orders
were issued to the troops some time
ago
OgIethorpe Troopers on March.
Two regiments of the brigade, those
from Fort Ethan Allen. VT, and Fort
OF'atho pc, Ga. must ride 700 dusty
m es u'der a summer sun before they
ca. reach the valley. and they must
TepOrt JULY 90. The First Squadron
from Fort Myer will have only 40
miles to go. and the horse battery
from Fort Riley, Kans will be sent
by rail
Secretary Garrison will be a fire.
quent spectator Major General Wood,
chief of staff, United States Army,
probably will spend much time there,
and President Wilson may make the
trip
The necessity for a rehabilitation of
the cavalry was disclosed when the
general staff some time ago made
ambitious plans for the reOrganiza-
ton Of the army so as to prepare it
for the defense of the country against
attack by any great military power.
This resulted in the sending to Eu-
rope last year of a board of six cav
airy officers, who studied the German,
Russian, Austro- Hungarian, French
and English organizations.
Officers Study Abroad.
Four months were spent abroad by
these officers, and since their return
they have prepared plans for radical
changes in the organization and use
Of cavalry Of the American army.
The tests will take place under the
direction of Colonel c. H. Murray. of
1
General f. j. MCClernand, the head Of
the cavalry board is prohibited from
exercising actual command by virtue
Of his retirement. General MCCler-
nand. however, with Lieutenant Colo
nels J. T. Dickmann and Fred S. Fol-
ia. Major Jesse Mel Carter and
Captain Frank Parker. all members
Of the board which studied the Euro
pean systems. will be present.
Some of the practical questions to
be worked out are:
How large a command can cap
tain handle successfully?
How many such units can a colonel
handle to the best advantage under
conditions approximating hostilities?
The new formation of the cavalry
into double ranks also will be tried
out on a large scale, a practical test
by Captain Parker, Of the Eleventh
Cavalry, at Fort Huachuca, AriZ.,
with an experimental squadron hav-
ing been pronounced complete sue
cess by General H. l.. Scott.
As an individual the American
trooper may be the best cavalry sol
der in the world. but for 40 years ne
has been so handicapped by defective
organization as to make a poor show
ing in comparison with the splendid
mounted soldiers Of the great CONT
mental armies.