ade 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.

3. Cavalry _may_ be hurled against the enemy's infantry--

(1.) When it has been a long time engaged, and therefore exhausted.

(2.) When it has been shattered by artillery.

And _always should_ be--

(1.) When it is manoeuvring.

(2.) When the attack would be a surprise.

(3.) When its ranks begin to waver, or when it manifests any unequivocal
symptom of hesitation or intimidation.

In the three latter cases, success will usually be certain; in the two
former o