BOWER'S HORSE.
[To ens EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sni,—Now that the question of mounted infantry as an integral part of the Regular Army is being agitated, I would invite public attention to a corps which unfortunately ceased to exist many years ago, but which combined in itself all the essential qualities now being sought for, The corps referred to originated with the lath Mr. Charles Sartoris in 1860, Colonel Bower, of Droxford, Hants, being its first com- mander. It thus became known by the name of "Bower's Horse." The peculiar features of the corps were as follows, —the aim being to make it as mobile and efficient as possible. The uniform consisted of a hunting jacket, loose about the neck, with suitable breeches and boots. By the aide of the rider was his rifle, slung by a belt, quite independent of the man, the butt of the rifle resting in a so-called "Namaqua " bucket, of leather, which kept the lock free from wet or injury, leaving the rifle free for instant use when required. In this way the men were able to ride safely and freely over the roughest ground, and take the stiffest fences without fear of entanglement. In action the men were thrown out in sections of threes, the man in the centre holding the reins of the horse on either flank, while the riders went to the front to fire upon the enemy, ready to receive them again when they retired to gallop off together to some other part of the field. I was curate-in-charge of the parish of Droxford at the time of the formation of the corps. Never shall I forget the impression made upon me when the late General McMurdo came to inspect the corps. He was on horseback, having taken up his position on the slope of Corhampton Down just where it overhangs the hollow up which the road, or rather, track, winds its way from the village of Droxford below. On the opposite side of this little valley the corps was drawn up in the rear of a hedge a few fields off. Suddenly the bugle sounded the advance, when, as if touched by a spring, the corps swept forward, man following man in a regular line, and at intervals that did not seem to vary by an inch. On- wards they dashed towards us, clearing hedge after hedge in their way. General McMurdo, unable to repress his feelings of surprise and admiration, exclaimed "Magnificent! oh, with such a force I could go anywhere and do anything." Farther comment seems needless, save only to say that for many years Colonel Bower was Remount Officer at the Cape for the Indian Army, and brought the experience there gained to bear upon the formation of his corps.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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