按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
practise of their own accord the art of horsemanship。
But suppose the chance should occur of entering the lists against an
equal number of the enemy's cavalry； according to my judgment it were no
bad plan to split the squadron into divisions；＇17＇ the first of which should
be commanded by the squadron…leader； and the other by the ablest officer
to be found。 This second…officer will for the time being follow in rear of
the leading division with the squadron leader； and by and by； when the
antagonist is in near proximity； and when the word of command is passed；
33
… Page 34…
The Cavalry General
form squadron to the front and charge the hostile ranks＇18＇a manouvre
calculated； as I conceive； to bring the whole mass down upon the enemy
with paralysing force； and to cause him some trouble to extricate himself。
Ideally speaking； both divisions＇19＇ will be backed by infantry kept in rear
of the cavalry； these will suddenly disclose themselves； and rushing to
close quarters； in all probability clench the nail of victory。＇20＇ So at any
rate it strikes me； seeing as I do the effects of what is unexpected how； in
the case of good things； the soul of man is filled to overflowing with joy；
and again； in the case of things terrible； paralysed with amazement。 In
proof of what I say； let any one reflect on the stupor into which a body of
men with all the weight of numerical advantage on their side will be
betrayed by falling into an ambuscade； or again； on the exaggerated terror
mutually inspired in belligerents during the first few days； of finding
themselves posted in face of one another。
＇17＇ Or； 〃troops。〃
＇18＇ Possibly on flank。 See Courier； p。 35； on Spanish cavalry
tactics。
＇19＇ Lit。 〃supposing both divisions to be backed by footmen；〃 etc。
＇20＇ Or； 〃achieve a much more decisive victory。〃 Cf。 〃Cyrop。〃 III。
iii。 28。
To make these dispositions is not hard； the difficulty is to discover a
body of men who will dash forward＇21＇ and charge an enemy as above
described intelligently and loyally； with an eager spirit and unfailing
courage。 That is a problem for a good cavalry general to solve。 I mean an
officer who must be competent to so assert himself in speech or action＇22＇
that those under him will no longer hesitate。 They will recognise of
themselves that it is a good thing and a right to obey；＇23＇ to follow their
leader； to rush to close quarters with the foe。 A desire will consume them
to achieve some deed of glory and renown。 A capacity will be given them
patiently to abide by the resolution of their souls。
＇21＇ ｛parelontas｝； in reference to S。 18 above； ｛parelaunoi｝； 〃form
squadron to the front。〃
＇22＇ 〃To be this； he must be able as an orator as well as a man of
action。〃 Cf。 〃Mem。〃 II。 ii。 11。
34
… Page 35…
The Cavalry General
＇23＇ Cf。 Tennyson's 〃The Charge of the Light Brigade〃：
Their's not to make reply； Their's not to reason why； Their's but to do
and die。
To turn to another matter； take the case in which you have two armeis
facing one another in battle order； or a pair of fortresses＇24＇ belonging to
rival powers； and in the space between all kinds of cavalry manouvres are
enacted； wheelings and charges and retreats。＇25＇ Under such
circumstances the custom usually is for either party after wheeling to set
off at a slow pace and to gallop full speed only in the middle of the course。
But now suppose that a commander； after making feint＇26＇ in this style；
presently on wheeling quickens for the charge and quickens to retirehe
will be able to hit the enemy far harder； and pull through absolutely
without scathe himself most likely； through charging at full speed whilst
in proximity to his own stronghold （or main body）； and quickening to a
gallop as he retires from the stronghold （or main body） of the enemy。 If
further； he could secretly contrive to leave behind four or five troopers； the
bravest and best mounted of the squadron； it would give them an immense
advantage in falling upon the enemy whilst wheeling to return to the
charge。＇27＇
＇24＇ Al。 〃fields and farmsteads between。〃
＇25＇ Or； 〃retirements；〃 see 〃Horsemanship；〃 viii。 12； 〃Cyrop。〃 V。 iv。
8； 〃Hell。〃 IV。 ii。 6； 〃Ages。〃 ii。 3。
＇26＇ Or； 〃having precluded in this fashion。 See Theocr。 xxii。 102：
｛ton men anax ataraxen etosia khersi prodeiknus Pantothen｝；
〃feinting on every side〃 （A。 Lang）。 Al。 〃having given due warning
of his intention。〃 Cf。 Aristot。 〃H。 A。〃 ix。 37。
＇27＇ Cf。 Aristoph。 〃Knights；〃 244 （Demosthenes calls to the
hipparchs＇？＇）：
｛andres eggus 。 all' amunou； kapanastrephou palin｝。
IX
To read these observations over a few times will be sufficient； but for
giving them effect the officer will need perpetually to act as circumstances
35
… Page 36…
The Cavalry General
require。＇1＇ He must take in the situation at a glance； and carry out
unflinchingly whatever is expedient for the moment。 To set down in
writing everything that he must do； is not a whit more possible than to
know the future as a whole。＇2＇ But of all hints and suggestions the most
important to my mind is this： whatever you determine to be right； with
diligence endeavour to perform。 For be it tillage of the soil； or trading； or
seafaring； or the art of ruling； without pains applied to bring the matter to
perfection； the best theories in the world； the most correct conclusions；
will be fruitless。
＇1＇ ｛pros to paratugkhanon｝； lit。 〃to meet emergencies。〃 Cf。 Thuc。 i。
122： 〃For war； least of all things； conforms to prescribed rules； it
strikes out a path for itself when the moment comes〃 （Jowett）。
＇2＇ Or； 〃is about as feasible as to foretell each contingency hid in
the womb of futurity。〃
One thing I am prepared to insist on： it is clear to myself that by
Heaven's help our total cavalry force might be much more quickly raised
to the full