a defensive flank. Unless otherwise ordered, the defensive flanks are always formed by the flank sections of the regiment or division. The reserve, which must always be detached by a regiment, or division acting independently, should, as a rule, follow in column at from 200 to 400 paces, on the flank and rear, of the attacking line. It will then be in a position, if required, to co-operate in the successful issue of the attack, or, if this is unsuccessful, to check the enemy's pursuit. When the attack is delivered on the enemy's front, the conditions of ground, the enemy's formation, &c., must determine in rear of which flank the reserve should follow; in an attack against the enemy's flank, however, the reserve should, as a rule, follow that flank which is open to the counter attack of the enemy's reserve. If a regiment attacks with 4 or 5 squadrons, it may, in certain cases, be desirable to send out a small party to pave the way for the attack, with the view to draw the enemy into a hasty deployment in a false direction, or to allure him to a pursuit, &c. During the advance, or indeed before it is commenced, the regimental commander should issue the necessary dispositions for the attack; that these may be conformable to the conditions of ground and the general situation, and, moreover, that he may be able to judge correctly of the moment and direction to attack, it will often be necessary for him to somewhat precede his regiment, which will then follow under the command of one of the division commanders. No special place can

be assigned for the regimental commander in the actual attack. If, for example, the general situation requires that the regiment shall attack on various distinct objective points, the commander must assign to each component fraction its particular point of attack, without himself joining in the mêlée with any one; should a repetition of a partial attack of this kind be advisable, he will then be able to judge of, and frame, the necessary dispositions. When all the squadrons attack simultaneously, the regimental commander rides in the centre of the line, in line with the section leaders, as laid down for the squadron leaders. The same with regard to the division leaders. The staff trumpeter sounds the corresponding calls, at the orders 'Attack,' 'Charge,' and 'Rally,' and acts otherwise in the same manner as prescribed for the squadron trumpeter. All the trumpeters in the regiment repeat the calls sounded by the staff trumpeter. The squadrons, on receiving the order 'Charge,' must ride perfectly straight at the enemy; the intervals will generally become closed, when the pace is increased to the charge. If, after detaching the defensive flanks and reserve, one section only of a squadron is left on one or both flanks, it closes in to the adjoining squadron, leaving no interval.

The Pursuit.

In practising the attack, the 'Rally' must first be sounded after the charge has been delivered, and be acted on as laid down for the section.

In presence of a real enemy, the attack can only be successful if supplemented by the pursuit; after the shock, it must be the business of the commander, while correctly judging the situation, to extract the maximum offensive power of his arm, and not to content himself with partial results. If the enemy is overthrown in the mêlée, or if he retires either before or after the 'Charge' is sounded, the attacking body must follow him up as long as he does not gain on it, and the horses do not become exhausted. The defensive flanks and the reserve, on the other hand, will follow in regular order, and be kept in hand, so as to be ready to ward off any sudden or unexpected counter attacks. If the enemy gains on the pursuing body, or brings fresh troops, or troops posted in rear, into the fight, the pursuit must be stopped. Should he retire before the 'Charge' is sounded, it is, however, desirable to follow with one squadron of the attacking line only, the remainder riding on at a trot, or, if necessary, a gallop, for the enemy might suddenly turn and throw himself on a force following him carelessly.

Attack against Infantry or Artillery.

In attacking infantry or artillery, each division or squadron should, as a rule, be assigned a special objective. The attack is executed on the same principles as laid down for the squadron.

H

The Rally.

The same remarks apply to the rallying of the regiment as to the squadron.

SECTION V.-PATROLS.

Every body of cavalry, operating in close order in the proximity of an enemy, must send out patrols, in order to prevent its being surprised or meeting suddenly with natural obstacles; the patrols must also endeavour to keep the enemy's patrols as far off as possible. The number of patrols to be sent out must depend on the nature of the ground, the time, season, and the state of the weather. In an open terrain and broad daylight, when a surprise is impossible, it will suffice to send out one patrol, or single horsemen moving on at a considerable distance apart. In a close, wooded, and intersected terrain, on the other hand, numerous patrols are required, but I section, forming 3 patrols, should be able to clear a front of 3,000 paces in the most difficult country, provided the duties are properly understood. In an open

country also, if the weather is foggy, during snowstorms, on a sandy soil, in violent winds, &c., several patrols will be necessary. Trumpet calls should be employed as little as possible, in the proximity of the enemy not at all; signals must be used to designate the advance, moving to a flank, the halt, the discovery of the enemy, &c., but even these should be restricted to the smallest possible number. A patrol is bound

to no special form of march. If patrols arrive in a country which affords little or no view around, single horsemen must be detached to the front and flanks for their protection; but under all circumstances the larger portion of each patrol must keep to the main line of march and move in open order (Rudel). Before sending out the patrols, the section commander must clearly explain to each the line it is to follow. When three patrols are sent out, the section commander should, as a rule, accompany the one which is assigned the most important duty, or he should post himself where he can best survey the surrounding country. The centre patrol takes the line of road by which the main body is marching, preceding it by at least 1,000 paces; the right patrol scours the ground on the right, the left patrol the ground on the left, of the centre patrol. All three patrols must keep up communication with one another and with the main body; if the connection is lost, it must be at once restored by sending out single horsemen. A squadron, working independently, only requires one patrol for its protection, which would detach one or two men to each flank, and one or two to the rear of the squadron, the remainder preceding it on the line of road. Even under the most unfavourable conditions, a regiment should not employ more than half a squadron for its protection.