During the reign1 of Brown Bess the great battles of Europe were decided2 very much in the manner above described.
Two armies met on a battle-field, or two fleets on "the wide, rude sea," as in England two prize-fighters have entered a small space encircled by ropes, to "see who'll pummel the hardest." In all three cases, endurance, 207indomitable courage, and physical strength sooner or later conquered.
As, however, in mechanics, a timid, puny3 boy, with the assistance of a pulley, could drag towards him Mars or Hercules, so must the new arms of precision lately invented, give victory, not to the bravest or the strongest, but to whichever of two combatant armies shall exercise their deadly weapons with the greatest amount of science.
And, as fortification has justly been defined "the art of enabling a small body of men to resist for a considerable time the attack of a greater number," so will, in future, the science of war consist in the art of concealing5 by every possible artifice6 the general commanding, his staff, his artillery7, cavalry8, and infantry9, from the fire of rifled cannon10 and Minié muskets11, of which, when properly directed, it may be said that almost "every bullet will have its billet."
On this principle, if England were to be invaded, it would be the endeavour and the duty of the general on whose intellectual powers the destiny of the empire would hang, to direct his army to take against their enemy (after, in spite of his utmost efforts, they had effected a landing), not, as in by-gone days, "the field," but rather possession of the banks, hedges, and ditches thereof; to make every great mansion12, building, or village, by loop-holing their walls, a Hougoumont; every railway embankment 208a covert-way and parapet; every hollow road a protector or ambuscade for cavalry or infantry; the scarped summit of every hill a battery; in short, by avoiding exposure, and by every means that ingenuity13 can devise, to make the invaders14, during every step of their advance, smart under a lash15, and fall from blows, administered by a nimble, intellectual army which they feel, which they are literally16 dying to see, but which is skilfully17 continuing, out of their reach, to decimate their ranks, in order that when the great battle is given, the invading army—though infinitely18 superior when it disembarked—shall be reduced to a force inferior in number to that of the stern, steady, stalwart defenders19 of their native soil.
It is evident, however, that to carry on war on the above principle, it will be necessary that cavalry, in their equipment as well as drill, should undergo a complete revolution, with a view to enable them in future, in addition to the use of their sabres, to help artillery with their lassos,—act as mounted infantry,—in short, make themselves generally useful; for, at present, they form on a field of battle so large a target, that under existing circumstances they would have, either out of harm's way to sit on their horses all day long waiting for an opportunity not likely to occur, or be destroyed by rifled guns and muskets before their services could be required: in fact,209 as it would be impossible for them to charge men in squares, or even in position armed with muskets of unerring aim, they could be of little use until after the battle was won, by following up the enemy in their retreat.
Now, instead of being the dearest and the most useless, they would become the cheapest and most efficient branch of the army, if, besides occasionally using their lassos to help our Armstrong guns, &c., they had power to skim along hollow roads, &c., to the vicinity of the summit of a hill or any other position, from which, half or wholly hidden, they could, with short Minié rifles, direct a deadly fire upon an overwhelming amount of advancing troops, from whom they could gallop21 away—only to re-attack them—the instant it became prudent22 to do so.
But to enable cavalry or volunteer mounted yeomanry to act in this manner, how, it will be asked, could they manage to leave their horses?
To this important question we will reply, not by any theoretical project, but by a statement of facts, which, though generally unknown in England, have for many generations been in constant practice in other parts of the world.
1. Throughout Russia, the Cossacks,—whenever for any reason, small or large, they have wished to leave one horse, or a regiment23 of horses, to stand alone, to ruminate210 either in the snow or on a verdant24 plain—have, for ages, been in the habit of, as it were, riveting25 them to the ground, by tying together their two fore20 fetlocks by a pair of hobbles, to the centre of which is affixed26 a narrow strap27 that buckles28 over the hock of one hind29 leg. By this triangular30 apparatus31 (weighing less than one pound), which out of four legs leaves only one at liberty, the animal physically32 and morally is completely paralysed; indeed he is not only unable to move away, but after his first fall is afraid again to try to do so.
2. In South Africa, farmers and sportsmen of all descriptions have long been in the habit of what they term "anchoring" their horses by a lump of lead, from three to five pounds in weight, carried in a small pocket buckled33 to the outside of their near or left holster.
To this "anchor" is attached a piece of cord about ten feet long, which, passing and running freely through both rings of the curb34 bit, and hanging from them like a loose rein35, is fastened to a =D= or ring on the off-side of the saddle.
No time need be lost in displacing the lead from its pocket when necessary, as it can be jerked out on the ground in the act of dismounting.
When a horse has been thus anchored, if he attempts to move on, his nose is brought down to his breast by the211 cord, which, tightening36 equally on both sides, acts exactly like a bridle37 in the hand of a rider; and as the pressure of the curb-chain ceases so soon as he stops, he soon finds out that the best thing he can do is to stand still and graze.
As the cord is not fastened to either ring of the bit, but merely runs through both, the pressure it exerts when the horse tries to move is equal on both sides; and therefore, on the pulley principle, a lead of four pounds weight makes it necessary for the horse to overcome with his mouth a steady and continuous pressure of eight pounds on the extremity38 of the bit lever before he can move forward. On mounting hurriedly the cord is grasped with the reins39, the anchor is raised, and while galloping40 away is adjusted in its pocket.
Although this invention has proved to be admirably adapted for farmers, for hunting and shooting, or for staff or engineer officers while reconnoitring or surveying (for which purpose General Sir John Michel, now commanding a brigade in China, has used it with great success), it could not safely be applied41 to cavalry; for as the horse has power, if he chooses to endure the pain inflicted42 by his bit, to "pull" or drag the anchor, were he to run away with it, its oscillations would be very dangerous in a camp.
To carry the additional weight of the anchor would also be considered as an objection; but this could be entirely212 got rid of by any intelligent staff officer affixing43 to a rope,—whenever he wished for reconnoitring to tether his horse,—a stone, a piece of wood, or any other heavy substance, which he would unlash and leave behind him so soon as his object on foot had been accomplished44.
3. In Mendoza, San Luis, Santiago, Buenos Ayres, and all other cities in the provinces of Rio de la Plata, in Chili45, and in Peru, whenever a young dandy, calling upon his innamorata, is informed that she is "en casa," that is at home, he dismounts, extracts from his waistcoat pocket a beautiful pair of slight hobbles (weighing only two ounces), which by two silver buttons he affixes46 to the fetlocks of his high-bred horse, who, swishing with his long tail the innumerable flies that assail47 him, and looking at every animal that canters by him, stands stock still, until within the house all the compliments of the season have been paid, and all the songs to the guitar exhausted48.
In those countries every cavalry soldier carries a pair of such hobbles for his horse, not in his pocket, but as an ornament49 dangling50 from the throat-lash of the bridle.
By this invention a horse is not so thoroughly51 secured as by that used by the Cossacks; and accordingly, if he be overfed, very fresh, and greatly alarmed, he has power in a very awkward gait to move away.
On active service, however, where horses have more213 work than food, it would prove efficient for a single horse, and would completely arrest a troop when connected together by their collar chains, by which arrangement a movement, however slight, by any one horse would be restrained by the vis inertiæ of all the rest.
On the above suggestion being submitted by us about six months ago to General Sir John Burgoyne, with the vivacity52 and energy that distinguish him, he instantly directed it to be properly tested by the mounted troop of the Royal Engineer Train, who, as regards both bridles53 and saddles, are equipped as cavalry.
The result of the experiments, under the superintendence of Colonel Henry Sandham, and the able assistance of Captain Duff, R.E., has proved so eminently54 successful, that any one visiting Aldershott is now enabled to see six or eight horses hobbled at intervals55 of about thirty feet asunder56, standing57 motionless, while the riders of the rest of the troop to which they belong, with drawn58 sabres flashing in the sun, are galloping through them backwards59 and forwards; and as of course cavalry horses could be made to do the same, it has been substantiated60 that that noble branch of our army, as also our volunteer yeomanry, by merely carrying hobbles, which only weigh two ounces per pair, would at once be enabled, in addition to other services, to act, whenever requisite61, as mounted infantry.
To an officer of the staff or engineers, sent to deliver214 an order to, or to reconnoitre a locality which on horseback it would be certain death to him to attempt to approach, a pair of hobbles would enable him, or, in case of invasion, any possessor of a horse and a Minié rifle, to ride as far as with safety he could advance, and then by dismounting and securing his animal to creep, or if necessary, crawl onwards along the bottom of a ditch, or behind any bank or hedge, sufficient to conceal4 him from the fire of an army of unerring marksmen to whom, after making all necessary observations, he could invisibly administer deadly blows.
As, however, in future warfare62 it will of course constantly occur, that appropriate cover in appropriate situations and directions will not be available, our army, however perfect it may be made in the light infantry rifle movements above described, should be discouraged from relying on them, lest such an idea should lead, not only to a timid course of procedure on the part of the General commanding, but to a conception in the minds of British soldiers, whose favourite weapon has hitherto been their bayonets, that the odds63 will be much against them unless they be hidden from the fire of their enemy.
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1
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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4
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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6
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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15
lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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16
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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17
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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20
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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22
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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23
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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24
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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25
riveting
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| adj.动听的，令人着迷的，完全吸引某人注意力的；n.铆接（法） | |
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26
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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27
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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28
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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29
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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30
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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31
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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32
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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33
buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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34
curb
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| n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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36
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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39
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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40
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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41
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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42
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
affixing
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| v.附加( affix的现在分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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44
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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45
chili
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| n.辣椒 | |
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46
affixes
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| v.附加( affix的第三人称单数 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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47
assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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48
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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49
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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50
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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51
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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52
vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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53
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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54
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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55
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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56
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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57
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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58
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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59
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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60
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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61
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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62
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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63
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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