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GOES AT FOE WITH GLEEFUL SHOUT SHOUTThe The opportunity to toss his pipe into the air and unrestrained with i gleeful shout launch himself directly at the foe1 is however the supreme joy of a cavalrymans existence Watches are synchron ¬ ized the enemy appears the fleeting chance offers He rides along his trajectory and the whistle of the bullet is the wind in liis ears as the line sweeps forward with a yell Does he stop to calculate Does he give a hang Its away with caution down close into the saddle with a tight leg hold of his horse and forward the spirit of youth reckless daring unconquerable youth that will not be denied It is the sport of kings the joy of the knights of old He who has never ridden a splendid horse in full cry across country has no conception of the feeling of elation of irresistibleness of wondering what can stop us that fills the breast breastXo Xo bloodless man can hope to lead on the field of cavalry combat no weigher of pros and cons who cant decide no gentle soul ivlio cannot find joy in actual encounter years he may have but they must not have aged in youthful h art and ardor ardorAs As described by a veteran Cunning he must have for the approach nerve and unflinching resolu ¬ tion then reckless and bloodyminded intrepidity and withal the power to inspire his men even the weakhearted with the certainty of success and the joy of battle though they know some cannot come back still they like to be deceived to die or to be maimed fierce highhearted and elated elatedBut But the spectacular and frequently costly charge constitutes only a small part of the cavalrymans military repertoire One of the most important among the multitudinous duties of mounted troops is that of reconnaissance This means the work of troops or individuals in gathering military informa ¬ tion in the field As this must generally be done it a distance it is the peculiar work for cavalry ¬ men on account of their mobility and ability to work in all conditions of weather and terrain terrainWhen When the main body of the army to which a cavalry unit is attached is on the marcli the troopers protect the infantry by preceding it in the form of a semicircular screen This screen is composed of small groups fanned out from larger supporting bodies in their rear and the whole formation interposed between the infantry and the enemy Its purpose is to shield the main body from observation by him to ascertain his location strength and movements and most important of all to transmit it back quickly and intelligently to the commanding otllcer The size of these patrols as they are known is determined by the jflicer sending them out and will depend upon the ubject to be accomplished and upon considerations of the enemy distance terrain etc A patrol may be of any size from one man up and under ordi ¬ nary circumstances is not expected to seek combat with the enemy enemyThis This duty is taken care of by the advance guard composed of far larger detachments which support the patrols if necessary and are primarily responsi ¬ ble for the safe and uninterrupted advance of the main body If small parties of the enemy appear it becomes the task of these covering detachments to break them up and prevent if possible their return with information
