66 66 "be no greater calumny than to say they "did not charge home. General Sheridan as"sured me they behaved most nobly, coming "up again and again at the signal to charge. "They were sheltered from fire till the "last moment, were carefully handled, and "skilfully and bravely led. The ground "they charged over was not more than four "hundred yards, yet the result was virtually their destruction as a military body, without any effect whatever. "of all ranks left effective, out of two hun"dred and sixteen that went into action."The whole time they were under musketry "fire must have been under a quarter of an "hour. So much for charging against breech"loaders." "thirty hours after, while the dead men and 'horses all lay there, so that I formed as 46 correct an idea of it as if I had seen it.— "The first charge delivered by the 1st "French Huzzars, was made under the most "favourable circumstances possible. They were very well handled. As the Prussian “infantry skirmishers, in advance of the main "body, came over the hill behind which they "had been waiting, they were led round" "under cover of the brow till they got com"pletely in rear of, and on the right flank of "I took great pains to ascertain the facts. "the skirmishers. They thus got within one "A friend of mine, whom I had known in "hundred yards of them before they were "Africa ten years before, was a major com"seen, and then charged most gallantly, sweep-"manding two squadrons of one of these "ing down the whole line. But, even under "regiments. He showed me the roll of "these advantageous circumstances, the "his two squadrons, with each man's name "charge had no result worth speaking of.-"marked off. The result was fifty-eight men "The Germans ran into knots and opened "fire; a very few who ran to the rear, say "twenty-five or thirty, were cut down. On "the other hand, the fire of these clumps "and rallying squares completely destroyed "the huzzars. The two rear squadrons "wisely swerved off and regained the shelter "of the hill. Those who went down the "line were all killed, wounded, or driven "down on the Prussian side of the slope "into a village and there captured. It did "not delay the advance of the Prussian in'fantry five minutes. The succeeding charges made by the 1st, 3rd, and 4th "Regiments of Chasseurs d'Afrique, and the "6th Chasseurs came to nothing, though they were most gallantly and perseveringly "made. The Prussians simply waited for "them in line till they got to one hun"dred and fifty yards, and then just mowed "them down with volleys. They were shot "down before they could get within 50 yards. "It was a useless, purposeless slaughter. It "had, practically, no result whatever. The "hill side was literally covered with their "dead, and the bodies of their little grey Arab "horses. These two brigades of five regiments "must have lost quite 350 killed, besides "their wounded and prisoners. There can as appropriate as ever. 66 66 A comparison between the circumstances of the charge on the skirmishers of the 42nd Highlanders and this charge on the Prussian skirmishers will show the parallel in the two cases to have been almost complete. They form a good illustration of the difference between theory and practice. The fact is our Cavalry force must be reorganized. The Life Guards, splendid men and well horsed as they undoubtedly are, are nevertheless mere relics of the feudal age in their equipments. Imposing in their appearance upon peaceful parades, and as escorts in State ceremonials they may be; but they are useless in modern warfare, loaded down as they are by armour designed as a protection against missiles long since. disused. One of the old German Emperors is said to have remarked that armour protects the wearer and prevents him from injuring others." The first part of this saying no longer holds good, but the latter is almost 66 There is another element in modern warfare not always considered that will materially affect this question. In the time of Frederick the Great, when Cavalry reached the highest point, and exercised the greatest influence on the result of actions, armies fought on open fields, pioneers levelled the ground, made roads for the columns, and removed obstructions; and one could overlook advantage where their movements can be concealed, their horses kept under cover, and their sharp-shooters obtain protection. Canada is peculiarly suited to this style of fighting, and it is a gratifying reflection that this arm of the service is especially adapted to defensive warfare, which is the only kind of hostilities that we are ever likely to be en a whole battle-field. In the future, the dead-gaged in. Although there is no service which a whole battle-field. In the future, the dead- requires so much individual intelligence, we ly effect of the Infantry weapons will neces- have as good material from which to organsitate a careful attention on the part of offi-ize a force of Mounted Rifles as can be found cers to avoid level plains and to obtain cover for their men. Armies will rather choose broken and intersected country for their operations, than where no protection or cover can be obtained. The spade will be more used than ever, and breastworks will often be employed, and in such situations Cavalry cannot make effective charges. Sooner or later, heavy Cavalry will have to be done away with, but the late civil war in America, fought over a country much like our own, has shown that there is looming in any part of the world. In the young farmers of this country we find a class owning their farms, accustomed to out-door life, and possessing, in addition to physique and intelligence, two great qualifications for a dragoon, namely, a good seat on a horse, and a general knowledge of the use of the rifle. A small amount of drill and a little practical training in outpost and reconnoitring duty, would make these young men a valuable force for defensive war. most The value of such a force swarming around an invading army cannot be over estimated. in the future a species of light cavalryup the Mounted Riflemen-which is destined to play a great part in the wars of the future. We can hardly over-rate the A force of this nature properly equipped, assistance given by the Uhlans to the and armed and drilled so as to give them Prussian invading columns, nevertheless the greatest possible advantage from the im- they would have been infinitely more useprovements in fire-arms, will be a most useful ful had they been trained and armed as auxiliary to armies, not only in lines of bat-mounted riflemen. As soon as the French tle where they might in case of need be franc-tireurs were organized this was clearly used dismounted, as they were continually during the war in the Southern States, but more particularly in partizan warfare, reconnoitring, outpost duty, and all that which the French include under the term "Les operations secondaires de la guerre." It has been often said that Canada is so much cut up with fences and woods that Cavalry could never operate in it. This is doubtless true with reference to heavy Cavalry, but the same statement does not apply to Mounted Rifles. It is in intersected, broken and partially wooded country that the mounted riflemen can operate to the greatest shown, for the Uhlans were afterwards always accompanied by bodies of Infantry, who were required to dislodge those partizans from villages and woods where the Cavalry could not reach them mounted. On the other hand, Bazaine was shut up in Metz on account of the inefficiency of his light Cavalry, who failed to warn him of his right flank being turned and his communication being threatened, until it was too late for him to retreat. Applying these examples to ourselves, it is evidently important that we should have a strong body of Light Cavalry in Canada. Our present force is entirely too weak in proportion to the other branches of the Service. Jomini says Cavalry should constitute one-sixth of an army. Gen. MacDougall, in his "Theory of War," says onefourth. We have positively less than onethirtieth, and that in a country where a large number of our Infantry volunteers actually ride their horses to drill, and leave them tied to fences and under driving sheds while they are being taught Infantry mancuvres in the drill rooms. The northern portion of this continent is destined to be the home of a great and powerful nationality. It is our duty therefore, now, in the youth of our Dominion, while it is gathering strength under the protection of the Mother-country to lay the foundations of military power. As long as our people are defensively warlike, we have the best safeguard for peace. It is our duty to let other nations see that while we desire to live on friendly terms with our neighbours and with the whole world, nevertheless if any attempt be made to deprive us of our independence and our national existence, it will be met by the whole energies of a de The late war, as well as the wars in the Crimea, in Italy, Denmark, and Austria have taught us another lesson. They have shown that the millennium has not yet arrived.—termined and united people, organized, armThey have shown that the security of States depends mainly on their own inherent strength and determination, and upon their warlike skill and preparation for defence. We have a great future before us, if we can but preserve our independence as a people. ed and led so as to give the utmost possible effect to our small population. A thorough organization, and a confident, self-reliant spirit is all that is required to secure the peace which we all desire. THE CONSOLATIONS OF SCIENCE. FROM THE OPENING OF THE SECOND BOOK OF LUCRETIUS. IS sweet, when tempests lash the tossing main, Not that we draw delight from other's pain, But in their ills feel our security: 'Tis sweet to view ranged on the battle plain Thence to look down upon the wandering ways Fools! What doth nature crave? A painless frame, Therewith a spirit void of care or fear. Calm Ease and true Delight are but the same. What, if for thee no golden statues rear Pleasure like theirs that 'neath the spreading tree On simple dainties, while the sunny sky The limbs that toss on purple and brocade And as to chase the body's ills away Wealth, birth and kingly majesty are vain, So is it with the mind's disease: array Thy mail-clad legions on the swarming plain, Bid them deploy, wheel, charge in mimic fray, As though one soul moved all the mighty train, With war's full pomp and circumstance: will all Set free the mind to dreadful thoughts a thrall? Crowd ocean with thy fleets, a thousand sail; Will thy armada banish from the breast The fear of death? If then of no avail Are all these baubles, if the soul's unrest If haunting Care climbs an unbidden guest Delay no longer Reason's aid to try, Since Reason's aid alone can mend our plight That walk in darkness, and, like babes that cry With silly terror in the lonesome night At their own fancy's bugbears, ofttimes fly, Mere grown-up babes, from bugbears of the light. G. S. CURIOSITIES OF CANADIAN LITERATURE. WASHINGTON AND JUMONVILLE. BY W. J. ANDERSON, LL. D., QUEBEC. As M. de Gaspé has concluded his statement by asking the reader to judge, whether he has not succeeded in rescuing his grandfather's memory from the accusation of being a spy, we shall, by and by, return to his interesting and generous attempt. Niniest N his second series of Maple Leaves, pub- | objects of the Ohio Company and resolved lished in 1864, M. Lemoine gives a to defeat them. Early in the spring, he sent very interesting paper under this heading, a strong body of troops and Indians taken from the New York Historical Maga- from Montreal, to reinforce the western zine, which may be looked upon as a review posts and establish forts in the Valley of the of de Gaspé's account of the same affair, as Ohio. These were met at Niagara by an given in his Les Anciens Canadiens. M. envoy from the Six Nations, who warned Lemoine also has given under the title, them not to proceed. On the other hand, "Defeat of Washington at Fort Necessity," the aid of Sir Wm. Johnston was solicited Bell's translation of Garneau's account of to assist in repelling the French encroachthat affair, preceding it by his view of the ment. The French commander disregarded Jumonville rencontre also. the warning, and established fortified posts at Erie, Waterford, and Uenango. On this, Dinwiddie, Governor of Virginia, selected George Washington, then just of age, to proceed to Uenango, and demand the reasons for the invasion of the British territories in a time of peace. Washington was accompanied by Christopher Gist, agent of the Ohio Company, an interpreter and four attendants, making a company of seven. On his way he attended a council of Delawares and Shawnees, when it was resolved that a deputation should accompany Washington, and again require the French to quit the territory. On arriving at Uenango the message was delivered, and the French made no secret of their intention to take possession of the whole valley. Washington from thence proceeded to Waterford, and St. Pierre, the commander, at once replied to his summons, "I am here by orders to which I shall strictly conform. I am ordered to seize every Englishman in the valley of the Ohio; and I shall certainly do it." Washington turned his face homewards, and leaving all but Gist at Uenango, steered by aid of his compass across the country. They suffered much hardship, and Washington made a We shall then be in a better position to decide "whether there is a discrepancy, easily explained," between the tradition of his family "and the truth of history." In the meantime, to be in a position really to understand the question at issue, which is not, was Jumonville a spy, but was Washington guilty of guet à pens, a cold blooded murder, we will state the actual position of affairs, before this first act in what has been called the Seven Years' War. In 1753 the Ohio Company opened a road from Virginia into the Ohio Valley, and established a plantation at Shurtie's Creek. France and England were then at peace. There was no friendly feeling between the colonists of the two nations, but a jealousy of each other's encroachments, particularly on the Ohio, which was claimed by both. Duquesne, then Governor General of New France, was aware of the |