which cavalry masses are able to
produce such decisive effects in battle. On the contrary, the ground was
almost everywhere so rugged and mountainous, or else so densely wooded,
as to be extremely unfavorable to the movements of cavalry of this
description.

(2.) Since the introduction of the new rifled arms, exposing cavalry
masses to a deadly fire at far greater distances than ever before known,
a fire often reaching to the reserves, it seemed doubtful whether the
manoeuvring and charging in heavy, compact masses, which formerly
rendered cavalry of the line so formidable, would any longer be
practicable.

(3.) The comparative cost of this kind of force is so great, that, if it
had been raised and kept up on the scale required, the expense of this
war, enormous as it has been, would have been vastly augmented. Three
years are required for the thorough training and instruction of the men
and horses; so that it would not have been until the fourth year of the
war that we could begin, even, to reap the fruits of so enormous an
outlay.

5. But to carry on any war successfully, what is needed, and is, in
fact, indispensable, is an ample force of light cavalry, of a kind
requiring comparatively but little time and training to fit it for the
various and important duties devolving upon it in the field, and
therefore far less expensive than cavalry of the line; and having all
the discipline of this latter kind of force, though wanting its
perfection of manoeuvre. Every army, or considerable detachment, must
have enough of this kind of force with it to furnish what is requisite
for Outpost duty, Patrols offensive and defensive, Escorts to trains,
Foraging parties, Reconnoissances, and the various other purposes
necessarily incidental to operations in the field; and in marches, all
Advanced, Rear, and Flank guards should consist, in part, at least, of
cavalry. Finally, this description of force is needed for the
performance of those arduous, but most valuable, services often rendered
by the quasi-independent bodies called Partisan Corps; services usually
requiring great celerity of movement.

6. This kind of force being "the eyes and ears of an army," it often
contributes powerfully to the success of strategic operations.

In the campaign of 1813, Napoleon complained that, for want of light
cavalry, he could get no intelligence of the enemy's movements.

So, in the rebel campaign of 1863, culminating at Gettysburg, General