The Cavalry General | Page 7

p. 260 f.

II
Given, then, that your troopers are thoroughly trained in all the above
particulars, it is necessary, I presume, that they should further be
instructed in a type of evolution the effect of which will show itself not
only in the splendour of the great processions[1] in honour of the gods,
but in the manouvres of the exercising-ground; in the valorous
onslaught of real battle when occasion calls; and in the ease with which
whole regiments will prosecute their march, or cross a river, or thread a
defile without the slightest symptom of confusion. What this formation
is--essential, at least in my opinion, to the noblest execution of their
several duties--I will now, without delay, endeavour to explain.[2]
[1] e.g. the Panathenaic, as depicted on the frieze of the Parthenon.
[2] Or, "what this best order is, the adoption of which will give these
several features fair accomplishment, I will without further pause set
forth."
We take as our basis, then, the constitutional division of ten tribes.[3]
Given these, the proper course, I say, is to appoint, with the
concurrence of the several phylarchs, certain decadarchs
(file-leaders)[4] to be selected from the men ripest of age and strength,
most eager to achieve some deed of honour and to be known to fame.
These are to form your front-rank men;[5] and after these, a
corresponding number should be chosen from the oldest and the most

sagacious members of the squadron, to form the rear-rank of the files or
decads; since, to use an illustration, iron best severs iron when the
forefront of the blade[6] is strong and tempered, and the momentum at
the back is sufficient.
[3] See "Revenues," iv. 30.
[4] Decadarchs, lit. commanders of ten, a "file" consisting normally (or
ideally) of ten men. Cf. "Cyrop. II. ii. 30; VIII. i. 14. It will be borne in
mind that a body of cavalry would, as a rule, be drawn up in battle line
at least four deep (see "Hell." III. iv. 13), and frequently much deeper.
(The Persian cavalry in the engagement just referred to were twelve
deep.)
[5] See "Cyrop." III. iii. 41, 57; VI. iii. 24, 27; VII. i. 15; "Pol. Lac." xi.
5. These front-rank men would seem to correspond to our "troop
guides," and the rear-rank men to our serre-files to some extent.
[6] Cf. Aelian Tact. 26, ap. Courier.
The interval between the front and rear-rank men will best be filled
supposing that the decadarchs are free to choose their own supports,
and those chosen theirs, and so on following suit; since on this
principle we may expect each man to have his trustiest comrade at his
back.
As to your lieutenant,[7] it is every way important to appoint a good
man to this post, whose bravery will tell; and in case of need at any
time to charge the enemy, the cheering accents of his voice will infuse
strength into those in front; or when the critical moment of retreat
arrives, his sage conduct in retiring will go far, we may well conclude,
towards saving his division.[8]
[7] {ton aphegoumenon}, lit. "him who leads back" (a function which
would devolve upon the {ouragos} under many circumstances). Cf.
"Cyrop." II. iii. 21; "Hell." IV. viii. 37; Plat. "Laws," 760 D. = our
"officer serre-file," to some extent. So Courier: "Celui qui commande
en serre-file. C'est chez nous le capitaine en second."
[8] Or, "the rest of the squadron." Lit. "his own tribesmen."
An even number of file-leaders will admit of a greater number of equal
subdivisions than an odd.
The above formation pleases me for two good reasons: in the first place,
all the front-rank men are forced to act as officers;[9] and the same man,
mark you, when in command is somehow apt to feel that deeds of

valour are incumbent on him which, as a private, he ignores; and in the
next place, at a crisis when something calls for action on the instant, the
word of command passed not to privates but to officers takes speedier
effect.
[9] i.e. all find themselves in a position of command, and there is
nothing like command to inspire that feeling of noblesse oblige which
is often lacking in the private soldier. See Thuc. v. 66; "Pol. Lac." xi. 5.
Supposing, then, a regiment of cavalry drawn up in this formation: just
as the squadron-leaders have their several positions for the march (or
the attack[10]) assigned them by the commander, so the file- leaders
will depend upon the captain for the order passed along the line in what
formation they are severally to march; and all being prearranged by
word of mouth, the whole will work more smoothly than if left to
chance--like people crowding out of a theatre to their mutual
annoyance.