Characteristics of The Three Arms: Course in Organization and Tactics. Lecture Number 13

Each of the three arms, composing the line of the army, has, on account of its training and equipment, peculiarities or characteristics, which better adapt it for the performance of certain work than either of the other two. A knowledge of these characteristics is essential if one would avoid the error of using arm for a duty, which might, with greater facility and less expenditure of time, energy and money, have been performed by one of the others. Incidents are not lacking where the improper necessary use of an arm has greatly reduced its efficiency. The outpost duty, which the Army of Potomac was called upon to perform in the early part of the Civil War, was excessive and unjustifiable. In this connection the Quartermaster General of the Army said in his report: "Such data as can be obtained, leads to the conclusion that much of the loss of horses in the Army of the Potomac, during the two years of the War, was brought about by mistaken ideas as to the proper use of cavalry. The amount of picket duty performed by mounted men, out of all proportion to their numbers or the necessities of the case. Worn out troopers, lounging in muddy and frozen saddle kits, on half starved horses, characterized the outpost duty of the Army during the winter of 1861 and 1862."