n. But for the mass of the Cavalry the idea
of a purely frontal pursuit should not be encouraged, for Cavalry,
even when supported by several batteries, can easily be held up by any
rearguard position in which a few intact troops remain.

[Footnote 3: Compare 'Cavalry Regulations,' Sec. 376.]

The frontal pursuit must in such cases be left to the other Arms, only
to be taken up again when the last resistance of the enemy is broken,
and the exhaustion of our own Infantry and Horse Artillery renders
further effort on their part impossible.

On the other hand, all energy must be devoted to the initiation of a
pursuit on parallel lines, in order that we may appear unexpectedly
and repeatedly against the flanks of the enemy's columns, with the
ultimate intention of anticipating him at some point on the line of
his retreat, such as a defile, thus bringing him between two fires in
a sheerly desperate position.

Man and horse must in these cases be driven to the utmost limit of
their powers of endurance.

It is evident that in such situations the principal role falls to the
firearm, for only in the fire fight is it possible to break off an
attack without loss, in order to appear again at some other point and
recommence the engagement. In case of anticipating an enemy at a
defile, the rifle will be practically the only weapon that can find
employment.

What can be achieved in this direction is best illustrated by
Sheridan's Cavalry, whose successful flanking operations against the
lines of communication of General Lee's heroic Army brought about the
capitulation of Clover Hill.

The charge will only then secure a greater result than dismounted
action, when the tactical cohesion of the enemy has been dissolved, and
his fire power utterly broken; that is to say, generally it will be of
greater service in tactical than in strategical pursuits--unless,
indeed, as at Waterloo, the defeat has led to the complete and permanent
dissolution of the enemy's fighting power.

Further, in the endeavour to support the rearguard of a defeated Army
in retreat it will be necessary, as soon as we have got rid of the
pursuing Cavalry, to take to the rifle, because with the sword alone
we cannot hope to make any impression upon the Infantry and Artillery
of the victor.

In such cases we must strive to attack with the firearm against the
flanks of the pursuing columns, in order to draw off their attention
from our beaten main bod