Another great point, directly we see him begin to open to squadron column we can give one more change to our direction, and so gain his flank. He will either be taken at an angle, or have to shoulder his line of squadron columns. Thus we have gained the outside; he must mask his own guns, and must be taken in flank by ours. 15. _Time for Horse Artillery to unlimber._--It would appear as though the leader who first dropped his guns’ trails would be likely to win; but there is a saving clause to this. If the other side see the trails dropped in an obviously good position, they will avoid the combat there, or perhaps leave a section or portion of their horse artillery to deal with these guns, and take the remainder with them to the flank. They will avoid the cavalry combat till they are well away from the enemy’s guns, and will then fight, when they have guns and cavalry, against cavalry alone. This shows that in the cavalry combat it is a very difficult matter to know just when to drop the trails, and get away to a flank and attack. It must come as an inspiration, something like Wellington’s move at Salamanca. 16. _Form of Attack must be simple._--To have to decide between a great many complicated forms of attack is out of the question. The form of attack must be simple, understood by all, and only the timing of it can be left to the leader at the supreme moment. 17. _Conclusions._--Our conclusions, then, are: 1st. That it is always advisable to move diagonally to an attack coming at us, even with a squadron or regiment. 2nd. That when we have to consider the combination of horse artillery and cavalry squadrons in attack, it is still more necessary. 3rd. That the mode in which we move to a flank prior to throwing in our squadrons must be carefully considered, and the plan adopted which gives us most squadrons at the critical point, and the handiest and simplest mode of evolution. 4th. That intervals between squadrons are a positive evil in an attacking line. 5th. That in an echelon the supporting body must be near enough to give confidence to the body in front, far enough to catch the enemy on the turn. 6th. That no squadron must form line till it sees an enemy before it to charge. Therefore, if, as the echelon opens out, the squadron leader sees that he will be beyond the flank, he should not form to the flank, but should lead round in squadron column and look for his opportunity. * * * * * “Why is it,” asks Ardant du Picq, “so hard to use cavalry well?” and replies: “Because the rôle is all movement, all _moral_; _moral_ and movement so closely allied, that often the movement alone without a charge, without physical action of any sort, makes an enemy retreat, and if that is followed up, causes his total rout. The latter follows from the rapidity of cavalry for those who know how to use it.” CHAPTER VI FIRE ACTION IN TACTICS OF CAVALRY _V._ CAVALRY