Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-03-30
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when 1t left for California, via the Isthmus of
Panama. 1t took station at the Preside OF San
Francisco on January %. 1866.
From this time until the outbreak of the war
with Spain In 1885, the regiment remained In the
West scouting and fighting Indians from the
Pacific coast to Oklahoma, Its duties practically
the same rs they had been during the interval
between the Mexican and Civil wars. Engage
ments were fought with every important tribe
OF red men-and at times the troopers were
even engaged in rounding up horse thieves who
practiced their trade along the Rio Grande.
In the Spanlsh-Amercan war, the regiment
took part In the Battle Of Santiago, and later
rendered glorious account Of itself In the
Philippines during the instructions.
Since the war with Spain, the command has
soldered extensively In the Philippine islands
and the western United States. 1t was on bor-
der duty during 1916, 1917, and 1918. Its service
during the period has been generally without
striking historical significance, but the organiza-
tion has nevertheless occupied an important
place In our national defense system. In the
performance of Its routine garrison duty and
on manenvers, 1t has upon many occasions drawn
the praise Of high commanders and inspectors.
After the sad ceremony which took place at
Fort D. A. Russell, this historic regiment
transferred to Fort Knox Ky, to become part
of the mechanical force of the army which for
some time has been experimenting at Fort Eu-
stis Va,with the latest developments In tanks
and armored cars. This was In line with the
War departments desire to maintain the cavalry
In its role as the fastest-moving fighting force
and 1t was believed that 1t could best be done by
replacing horses with hlgh-speed cars.
This does not necessarily mean, however, that
the cavalry charger will be entirely eliminated
from our military establishment of the future.
In fact, 1t would appear from a study of past ex.
perence that there will always be special sit
uatons In which the mounted soldier will be
needed. Man and horse can get through and
gain information when other means are blocked.
The airpane is helpless In fog, for instance.
Nor can thoroughly effective reconnaissance be
accomplished without the aid Of the horse In
exceedingly mountainous terrain. All this would
indicate the retention of the horse for some
military purposes and that mounted troops, In
smaller numbers, will be available for scouting,
at any rate.
In the broader field Of tactical usefulness.
however, the horse cannot compete with the
newer mechanical weapons The speeding ar
mored car, for ground reconnaissance, can cover
much greater distances In quicker time.
with the development OF more effective weap-
operating against either mounted or dlsmounted
enemies There are too many machine guns, auto
matte rifles and quick firing artillery guns to
permit such close contact and the horse offers
larger target than the man on foot. Gas,
too, Is a potent weapon against the horse. 1t Is
too expensive to completely cover an animal
with gas-proof cloth and there are gases now
which inict deep burns at the slightest exposure.
Ever since the British launched the first land
ships or tanks las they were originally named
to nlslead spies) many military experts have
been booking toward a mechanizeda cavalry,
monnted mechanical seeds, still Scarrying
on its traditional roles Of distant reconnaissance,
pursuit. surprise attack and last-minute reserve,
but covering more ground In less time, striking
with more force and power and with fewer risks
and greater protection than the horse offered
But the World war tanks were incapable OF
carrying out such assignments. Some power they
enjoyed, but mobility, the prime essential OF
cavalry, they lacked. The light tank, for In
stance Unanswered across country at the rate
of three to four miles an hour After ten miles
1t ran out OF gasoline. and, what was even worse
1t usually had to go back to the shop for over.
haul after 4 comparatively short trip. The heavy
tank, carrying the tremendous weight of A
tons numbered along at maximum rate OF
five and half miles an hour, and often begged
down In Its own tracks.
Today, however, the ordnance department has
given the American fighting forces light ex
perimental tank capable Of operating on the
road at rs miles an hour, across country at Is
miles an hour, 60 miles on one filling OF gaso
line, and more than 1000 miles before major
overhaul becomes necessary. And all this has
been accomplished without increasing the ligh
tank Of seven and half tons by single pound
Besides tanks and vehicles OF Its type, q
mechanical force calls for armored cars, wheeled
vehicles armored and armed with machine guns
only. For long -dstance reconnaissance pa
trolls and raids, such vehicles are held indlspen
sable, and the time may not be far distant whex
they will replace entirely that faithful compan
Ion OF our troopers, the cavalry charger, WIKI
helped push back the frontier In the conquest o.
America
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