Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-05
BUGLE WILL SOUND
IN VIRGINIA VALE
Section Made Famous by Phil
Sheridan to Be the Scene of
Military Camp.
MANEUVER GROUNDS
ARE NEAR WINCHESTER
Plans for Change in Cavalry Or
ganization to be Tested-Full
Brigade and Battery.


Sheridan made his famous ride fifty years
ago. is to hear again the song of the
bugle, the galloping of horses. the crack
of Carbines and the boom of cannon, for
the war Department is trying out the
cavalry and has chosen the Shenandoah
as the bloodless battle-ground.
For two months this summer d full
brigade of cavalry and battery of
horse artillery will maneuver and night
over the red roads. and the green hills
and fields near Winchester that figured in
great cavalry battles in the civil war
The department has leased tract of
ground a mile broad and two miles long
IN the heart of the Shenandoah, seventy
miles from Washington. and orders TO
the troops have been issued.
Two regiments of the brigade. those
at Fort Ethan ALE. VT. and at Fort
Oglethorpe. Ca, must ride 200 dusty
miles under summer sun before they
can reach the camp. where they must
report July ~. The LIST Squadron of the
10th Cavalry, at Fort Myer. Va, will have
10 ride only the distance from Gettys-
burg, and the horse battery from Fort
Riley. Kan, will make the trip by rail.
Probably as an individuts- the best cav
airy soldier IN the world, the American
trooper has for forty years been so
handicapped by defective organization
TO make poor showing in compar-
isen with the magnificent sabers of the
great continental armies.
Old Organization Abandoned.
In the early 'I0s tho old organization.
founded on the European practice which
had stood the tremendous test of the civil
war; was abandoned upon the recon-
mendations of board which was seek
ing TO carry out a theoretical plan of uni
fornity of organization in all the branches
of the military service. So the cavalry
arm was forced TO adopt the infantry
organization of twelve companies, three
of which composed battalion, and four
battalions composed regiment
As the cavalry had for the most part
scattered around the country in small
bodies doing the duty of rangers among
the Indians and the like. the defects of
its organization never were apparent un-
til recently
But the ambitious plans of the general
staff for the reorganization of the army,
so as to prepare il for the defense of the
country against attack by great exter-
nal military power. soon disclosed the
fact that the cavalry organization must
be completely changed.
A board of six cavalry officers was sent
TO Europe last year TO make thorough
study of the cavalry arm of Germany
Russia Hungary, France and
England. Four months time was spent
in that work
Decide on Practical Test.
Since its return to the United States the
board has been engaged in the preparation
of plans for change in the cavalry or
ganization OF our own army. Before
adopting these the general staff decided
that they should be submitted to a prac-
teal test. Therefore Secretary Garrison
authorized the gathering Of full brigade
lery in the Shenandoah valley, where the
great federal cavalry leader. Sheridan,
made his famous ride during the civil
war.
board headed by Brig. Gen. C. A.
Devol OF the Quartermaster Corps has
Just returned to Washington from a visit
OF inspection to the country in the neigh
borhood of Winchester. Va. where 1t
picked out and leased a tract OF land
which Will form the camp site and ma
newer grounds. The troops 10 be gath
cred al that place will include the 10th
Cavalry. from Fort Ethan Allen. Vt; the
11th Cavalry. from Fort Oglethorpe. Ca;
the 1st Squadron of the 18th Cavalry.
from Fort Myer, Va. and a battery of
the 6th Field Artillery, from Fort Riley,
Kan
The tests OF che new methods of or
ganiza ton will take place under the drec-
tion OF Col. c. II. Murray of the 18th
Cavalry. as Brig. Gen f j. McClernand,
the lSad or the cavalry Is prOnlD-
tied from exercising actual command by
virtue Of his retirement
viii Observe Results.
Gen. McClernand. however. with Lieut.
Coils. ]. T. Dickmann. Fred S. Foltz and
Mai Jesse Mel. Carter and Capt Frank
Parker. all of the cavalry arm. and mem
bers Of the board which visited Europe,
will he present during the drills and OBJ
serve results.
Some Of the practical questions to be
worked out are how large a command
may caprain handle and how many such
units can a colonel handle To the hest adj
vantage under conditions approxmating
hostilities? The new formation of the
cavalry into double ranks will also be
tired out on a large scale.
Great interest attaches to the encamp-
rnent. Secretary Garrison and Mai Gen.
Wood. chief of staff. will be frequent Wis
itors. and President Wilson may summon
the White Houseautomobile some Satur-
day and make the trip TO Winchester
The general staff's decision for reor-
ganiZation of the cavalry brought tc
light the urgent need of a readjustment
and the military authorities are hopeful
that the coming trial of the new plans
by the crack organizations selected 10
participate viii result in bringing the
mounted service nearer the point OF per-
fecriOn