(1.) Cavalry must not rest its flank on a wood, a village, or other
cover for an enemy, till it has been occupied by our own troops. If
compelled to do so, it should send out patrols to reconnoitre and
observe. Its position is no longer tenable from the moment the enemy
appears within striking distance on its flank.
(2.) It must not be posted on the very ground it is to defend, but in
rear of it; as it acts effectively only by its charge.
Attacking cavalry must have favorable ground in front; defending
cavalry, in rear. An obstacle in either case may be fatal.
IV.--Its Supports.
1. The flanks of cavalry lines or columns are always exposed. They
should, therefore, be protected by _supports_ of light cavalry, which
can act promptly and swiftly. When behind a line, these supports should
be usually in open column, so as to be able to wheel, without a moment's
delay, into line.
2. The _most effectual_ mode of protecting the flank of a line or column
of cavalry is by means of squadrons in rear, formed in echelons
extending outwards; as this exposes the enemy's cavalry that may attempt
to charge the main body in flank to be immediately charged in flank
themselves; which would be destruction. For this purpose, irregular
cavalry may be as effective as any other.
3. This cavalry support or reserve behind the flanks may sometimes play
_an important offensive_ part. The enemy's first line, the instant after
either making or receiving a charge, is always in greater or less
disorder; and a vigorous charge then made on it in flank by our own
flank reserve, would have a decisive effect.
4. Cavalry should never engage without a support or _reserve in rear_,
not only to guard its flanks, but also to support it when disorganized
by a successful charge.
5. So, when engaged in _skirmishing order_, being then very much
exposed, it must always be protected, like infantry skirmishers, by
supports in close order.
6. It has been already seen that, although cavalry may carry a position,
it cannot hold it, if attacked by infantry. When used for such a
purpose, therefore, it should always be accompanied by _an infantry
support_.
The French cavalry succeeded in carrying the plateau of Quatre Bras;
but, having no infantry with it to reply to the terrible fire of the
Allied infantry from the surrounding houses, it was compelled to retire,
and yield it again to the enemy.
According to Wellington, Napoleon frequently used his cavalry in seizing
positions, which were then immediately occupied by infantry or
artillery.
V.--How Used.
1. Cavalry generally manoeuvres _at a trot_. At a gallop, disorder is
apt to take place, and exhaustion of strength that will be needed in the
charge.
2. The ordinary use of cavalry is to follow up infantry attacks and
complete their success. It should never be sent _against fresh
infantry_; and should generally, therefore, be reserved until towards
the last of the action.
Napoleon, who, by concentrating his cavalry into considerable masses,
had enabled himself to use it on the battle-field as a principal arm,
sometimes produced great effects by heavy cavalry charges at the very
beginning of the action.
But, though Napoleon's splendidly trained heavy cavalry might sometimes
break a well-disciplined infantry without any preparatory artillery
fire, it would be dangerous to attempt this with cavalry inferior to it
in solidity; and the new rifled weapons would seem to render the cavalry
charges of his day no longer practicable.