The Lancers.
--We notice, by an advertisement in to-day's paper, what we have long wished to see, a call for a battalion of foot lancers or pikemen.
Apart from the fact that there is an insufficiency of serviceable arms in our Ordnance Department for the volunteers, and the force now to be called into the field under the provisions of the conscription law, recently passed by Congress, this service presents itself in a most favorable view.
It has over proved itself a most formidable arm of service, both ancient and modern.
The
British Halberdiers, even untaught in the improved evolutions and quick movements of our more recent school of tactics, presented a phalanx of serried steel not to be broken by the charges of cavalry or the rush of troops in battle.
In the
Polish Revolution mere scythe blades affixed to staves proved an effective weapon against the well-disciplined forces of the
Russian army.
In
England,
Ireland, and
France, the
Foot Lancers have subsequently been esteemed a most valuable arm of service, as an adjunct to their armies, now provided with every modern improvement of fire arms, and made a preferred corps in point of reputation and pay. It is a question, if the introduction of the
long range fire-arms into modern warfare has added anything to the value or valor of the soldier in closely contested fields.
He is apt to trust too much in distance and shelter, and not to confide in a charge at close work against weapons whose death-dealing qualities are really no greater on close approach than the old-fashioned flint-lock muskets of the Revolution.
Our main advantage against the
Yankee is in the presence of
cold steel. We are, or ought to be, fighting a ‘"war to the knife."’ His advantage is in long fighting, and with gradual approaches"better adapted to his want of enthusiasm in the cause and superiority of armament.
The bayonet charge has long been accorded irresistible, but how seldom in the history of wars do we find it employed!
Soldiers depend much on their cartridge boxes, and when they are empty, the musket is too often regarded as an encumbrance; yet, in justice, they are more frequently fairly tired out with firing before they are called upon for the use of the bayonet.
Fresh troops are the material required for a successful charge.
The lance, of proper construction, is a much superior weapon to the empty musket and bayonet in such steady work.
It is more easily handled in the attack and defence, and no impediment even in retreat.
A corps of foot lancers, kept in reserve for a charge at double quick, and over ground where cavalry could not act, would hurry up the ‘"Hessians"’ right merrily.
The safety-bowel of the
Yankee would move in a ‘"calcination"’ of retreat; the
Puritan would roll up the whites of his eyes and start for
Plymouth Rock; and the
Quaker of
Pennsylvania, verily!
would
quake from his broad brim to his broad toes.
We confess to a surprise that the
Government has not, before this, directly favored the organization of a corps of this description.
Properly drilled in their peculiar school of tactics — that of the Voltigeur or
Chasseur a pieds--they must prove a most effective addition to our army.
