Cavalry
a body of troops which serve on horseback, one of the three great classes of troops, and a formidable power in the hands of a leader who knows how to employ it with effect. Its adaptation to speedy movements is a great advantage, which enables a commander to avail himself immediately of a decisive moment, when the enemy exposes a weak point, or when disorder appears in his ranks. It is a very important instrument in completing the defeat of an enemy, in disconcerting him by a sudden attack, or overthrowing him by a powerful shock. It is very serviceable in protecting the wings and center of an army, for escorts, for blockading, for intercepting the supplies of the enemy, for procuring intelligence, for covering a retreat, for foraging, etc.
The employment of cavalry in modern armies is limited chiefly to scouting purposes. While there were large bodies of cavalry in the various armies during the World War, it was only in rare and exceptional circumstances that these were employed on a large scale in attack. largely superseded by motorcycles. the close of the year he became a candi- Even in reconnoitering cavalry has been date for the presidency of the republic, but was defeated by Louis Napoleon.
After the coup d'état of Dec. 2, 1851, he was arrested and conveyed to the fortress of Ham, but was liberated after about a month's detention. In 1852 and in 1857 he was elected member for Paris of the legislative body, but on both occasions was incapacitated from taking his seat by refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the Emperor. He died in Sarthe, Oct. 28, 1857.