Now, it is undeniable that this want of activity proceeds partly from the weight of the "matériel," but principally from the following very remarkable9 imperfection in the military equipment of Europe.
It is well known that not only every soldier, but every human being following an army, is subject to military discipline, and that his labour may, at any time, and for any purpose, be required of him; but, although the rational being is thus called upon to work with cheerful obedience10 for the grand objects of the army, the physical powers of the brute11 beast have never yet been developed; and accordingly for the various, sudden, and momentary12 emergencies for which horse-power has often and urgently in vain been required, horse-power (the cavalry13) to an enormous extent has existed upon the spot, a military element which it has hitherto been considered so impracticable to control, that the guns, ammunition14, treasure, &c., which European cavalry have oftentimes bravely won, their horses have been supposed totally incapable15 to carry away; and the laurel which was positively16 in their hands they have thus been obliged to abandon. Again, for sieges in countries which have been drained by the artillery17 and cavalry, not only of horses, but of197 sustenance18 to maintain them, it has often been absolutely necessary to bring forward, by bullocks and other inefficient19 means, the battering20 train, ammunition, entrenching21 tools, materials, &c., amounting in weight, even for the attack of a second-rate fortress22, to several thousand tons. In moments of such distress23 the infantry24 working in the trenches25 have often severely26 suffered from the delay occasioned by the want of horse-power, while their comrades, the cavalry, have been deemed incapable of sharing the honour and fatigue27 of the day, from the anomalous28 conclusion that, although it is easy to extract from men manual labour, it is impossible to extract from horses horse-power; and yet there exists no reason why, in moments of emergency, cavalry horses should not be required to work (most particularly at drag-ropes) as well as infantry soldiers; for although the patient endurance of hardships and privations is one of the noblest features in military life, yet absolutely to suffer from the want of what one positively possesses is, even in common life, a discreditable misfortune, indicating not bodily weakness, but mental imbecility.
Even in that noble department, the Horse Artillery itself, there existed throughout the Peninsular War a striking example of latent power which had never been exerted. To each gun there were attached twelve horses trained to draught30. Of these, only eight possessed198 the means of drawing: the gun might therefore, in mechanical calculation, be said to be propelled by an engine of eight horse-power; and if a morass32, or any other obstacle, over-balanced this power, the gun was either deserted33, or (as was customary) the infantry were harnessed to it, by drag-ropes, in the immediate34 presence of four draught-horses, whose powers (besides officers' horses) it was conceived that we were unable to command.[K]
Now, to awaken35, at no expense, the important, natural, yet dormant36 powers, not only of cavalry but of all other horses, and, consequently, to afford the means of accelerating (when required) the movements, grand or small, of an army, would surely be more beneficial than even to suggest an improvement in its arms; for it may justly be said that our present weapons are destructive enough—that even if we could succeed in making them more so, still our enemies would retort them upon us—that the advantage, or rather the disadvantage, would then be mutual—and that, eventually, war would only be made still more destructive; but by giving activity and mobility37 to European armies, the science of war is promoted; and even if the benefit to the civilized38 nations 199of Europe should be equal (but this, from the superior size and strength of English horses, would evidently be in our favour), yet it would at least shield the profession from the disgrace of being again persecuted39, in any country, by an uncivilized army; and if the navy of England, laden40 with its immense weight of metal, is endeavouring, by science and reflection, to accelerate its rate of sailing, so that it can not only stand against the largest fleet, but can chase and run down the smallest pirate, surely the British army, already distinguished41 by its heart and its arm, should never rest satisfied until it can sufficiently42 develop its locomotive powers to be able to overtake and punish the insults of irregular troops.
Having now endeavoured to prove, 1st, That in European warfare there positively does exist a serious imperfection; and 2ndly, That it is for the interest, and due to the character, of the profession, that this imperfection should be corrected, we will proceed to explain the reasons which have lately induced the Duke of Cambridge by the following order to direct the attention of the British cavalry to the practice of lasso draught, (which for more than two years, by order of the Inspector-General of Fortifications, General Sir John Burgoyne, has been most successfully and scientifically adopted, by Captain Siborne, R.E., commanding the Royal Engineer Train,200 under the intelligent superintendence of Colonel Henry Sandham, Director of the Royal Engineers' Establishment at Chatham.)
Extract from the Queen's Regulations, page 126.
"In order that the cavalry may, upon emergencies, be available for the purposes of draught, such as assisting artillery, &c., through deep roads, and in surmounting43 other impediments and obstacles which the carriages of the army have frequently to encounter in the course of active service, ten men per troop are to be equipped with the tackle of the lasso."
In Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and a considerable portion of South America, for every purpose of drawing, a horse is confined between two traces; and accordingly, whenever for the first time in his life he is placed in this predicament, so soon as one of them touches or tickles44 him on one side, he flies from it to the other trace, which suddenly arrests him, and, usually blind-folded by blinkers, being ignorant of, as well as alarmed at, the unknown objects that are restraining him, he occasionally endeavours to disperse46 them by kicking; and even if he submits, it requires some little experience to tranquillize his fears. For these reasons, throughout the regions enumerated47, a horse that has never been in harness, however valuable he may be, is totally useless in a moment of emergency for the purposes of draught.
201
Now throughout that region of South America which extends in 35° south latitude48 from Buenos Ayres on the Atlantic, to Santiago and to Valparaiso on the Pacific Ocean, harness is composed of nothing but a surcingle and a single trace, by which the horse draws as a man would drag a garden-roller, by one hand instead of by two.
By this simple mode all the merchandise, and all the travellers that have ever traversed on wheels those immense plains that separate the two great oceans of the world, have been transported.
For military purposes its efficiency has been thus substantiated49 by General Miller50 in his history of 'The War for Independence':—
"Our corps51 consisted of ten six-pounders and one howitzer. Each gun was drawn52 by four horses, and each horse ridden by a gunner, there being no corps of drivers in the service. A non-commissioned officer and seven drivers were, besides the four already mentioned, attached to each piece of artillery. Buckles53, collars, cruppers, and breast-plates were not in use; the horses simply drew from the saddle, and with this equipment our guns have travelled nearly 100 miles in a day."
But besides its efficiency for all the requirements of either peace or war, the singular advantage of this simple harness is that any description of horse, tame or wild, uses it without noticing it; for if the single trace which202 passes immediately beneath his hip29 bone happens (which it ought not) to press against his side, by shrinking from it only an inch it instantly ceases to touch him; and as there then remains54 nothing to confine, tickle45, or alarm him, he refrains from kicking, simply because there is nothing to kick at, and from quarrelling because he can see nothing in the world to quarrel with.
With this equipment, if a party of native riders, hunting ostriches55 in South America, are requested to help the horses of a carriage across a river, and up a steep bank, similar, for instance, to that of the Alma, in a moment they affix56 their lassos, conquer the difficulty, attain57 the summit, and then, with tobacco smoke steaming from their mouths, gallop58 away to follow their sport.
The Royal Engineer Train have demonstrated by public experiments in this country, that with this simple equipment, which would injure neither the efficiency nor the appearance of the cavalry, any number of horses, whether accustomed to draught or not, are capable of being at once harnessed to any description of carriage, not only (see sketch) in front to draw it forward, but in rear to hold it back, or even sideways to prevent its oversetting—in short, that it is a power which can be made to radiate in any direction; and as its character stands upon a much firmer foundation—as it is bonâ fide the common mode of draught in South America—203 in constant use for all military and civil purposes—a practical invention which, under all circumstances, has been always found to answer, it is evident to demonstration,—1st. That if it can transport artillery, &c., across the lofty, vast, and rugged59 features of uncultivated America, it would surely be serviceable on the roads and bridges of civilized countries. 2ndly, That if it can be adapted to unbroken horses, it cannot be inapplicable to the trained horses of our cavalry. And, 3rdly, That as both the surcingle and trace are made, in America, of nothing but the skins of bullocks, we should, on active service, be able in all countries at least to obtain this material, and generally many others.
It must, moreover, be observed, that as a mounted horse (i. e. a horse and man) are heavier than an unmounted horse, the former with a lasso can drag a heavier weight than the latter with a collar and traces.[L]
Now, supposing for a moment that not only our cavalry were to be furnished with, but that every saddle-horse receiving rations60 in a European army was to be ordered to wear the South American surcingle (which costs less than English girths and surcingle, and which experience has proved to be, merely as a girth, superior to a common 204one), and to carry a halter of the usual regulation length, but long enough for a single trace, without detailing the various important as well as trifling61 services which might be performed, is it not evident that the general activity of the army would most materially be increased? that, in fact, this equipment would form an era in military warfare? that it would be an enormous, and, in Europe, an unheard-of engine of say twenty or thirty thousand horses' power, which, at a moment's warning, could either be called forward or dismissed, and, after all, maintained at no expense whatever? for it must ever be kept in mind, that we possess, and always have possessed31, the power; all that, for five and thirty years, we have until lately in vain proposed, is—to rouse it into action.
If the propriety62 and future utility of this project should be admitted, there is one most important observation to be made. The characteristic feature of this simple harness is, that having been invented for unbroken horses, it possesses the singular military advantage of being at once applicable to any sort or description of horse. But it is well known to every reflecting mind, that there is no useful art which does not, somewhere or other, require attention; and to this general rule the American harness is certainly no exception; for though any horse will draw in it, yet it does require, on the part of the rider,205 considerable experience and attention. The single trace must be managed in a particular manner, or, in turning, it gets under the horse's tail: unless it is properly held in the hand at starting, the horse may break it by the jerk. There are several other little precautions necessary, most particularly in the mode of adjusting the surcingle, which requires considerable practice and attention.
The many curious and indeed scientific applications and combinations of power of which this simple harness is capable, form a beautiful example of what even uncivilised man can contrive63 when his attention has been long and steadily64 directed to a solitary65 object. And surely the ingenuity66 and practical experience of one nation are worthy67 the patient attention of another. But the apparent simplicity68 of many a useful invention has often been its ruin; and this observation is most particularly applicable to lasso harness, which is, in appearance, so very simple, that it seems to require only to be seen to be perfectly69 understood: yet, efficient as it is in America, and efficient as it will be to any nation in Europe that will give to its merits sufficient time and a fair trial,—yet, on some little experience and reflection, it is most confidently stated that, as a theory, it certainly is of no use at all; and the truth of this observation will at once be proved by the complete failure and confusion which206 will inevitably70 take place if our cavalry try the harness without first not only patiently but cordially and zealously71 learning how to use it. Yet this ought not, in common justice, to condemn72 the principle; for, could cavalry, without some little instruction, succeed in driving even with our own harness?—Could French coachmen, without practice, drive our mails?—Could our English postilions drive the five horses of a French diligence? And if driving is thus a science of many departments, it would not be reasonable to expect that our cavalry should be able to drive, merely because they have learnt to ride.
[K]To the 12-pounder Armstrong gun (which sighted to 8° gives a range of 3000 yards) are now attached eight horses in harness, and eight more on which the non-commissioned officers and men, including horse holders73, are mounted. Of these, four are supplied with web breast harness and traces: to a proportion of the remainder lassos are supplied.
[L]On active service, when a gun sticks in very heavy ground, it has been usual to place a gunner upon every unmounted horse, and, if necessary, behind every driver on the mounted ones. By this additional weight or power a gun has repeatedly been extricated74 and brought into action.
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1
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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2
velocity
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| n.速度，速率 | |
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3
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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4
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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5
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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6
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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8
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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9
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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10
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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11
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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12
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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13
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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14
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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15
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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16
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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17
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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18
sustenance
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| n.食物，粮食；生活资料；生计 | |
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19
inefficient
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| adj.效率低的，无效的 | |
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20
battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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21
entrenching
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| v.用壕沟围绕或保护…( entrench的现在分词 )；牢固地确立… | |
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22
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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23
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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24
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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28
anomalous
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| adj.反常的；不规则的 | |
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29
hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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30
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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31
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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32
morass
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| n.沼泽，困境 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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34
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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mobility
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| n.可动性，变动性，情感不定 | |
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38
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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39
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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40
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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41
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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42
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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43
surmounting
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| 战胜( surmount的现在分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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44
tickles
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| （使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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45
tickle
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| v.搔痒，胳肢；使高兴；发痒；n.搔痒，发痒 | |
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46
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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47
enumerated
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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49
substantiated
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| v.用事实支持（某主张、说法等），证明，证实( substantiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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51
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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52
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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53
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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54
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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55
ostriches
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| n.鸵鸟( ostrich的名词复数 )；逃避现实的人，不愿正视现实者 | |
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56
affix
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| n.附件，附录 vt.附贴，盖(章)，签署 | |
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57
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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58
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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59
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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60
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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61
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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62
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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63
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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64
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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65
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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66
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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67
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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68
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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69
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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70
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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71
zealously
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| adv.热心地；热情地；积极地；狂热地 | |
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72
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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73
holders
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| 支持物( holder的名词复数 )； 持有者； （支票等）持有人； 支托（或握持）…之物 | |
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74
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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