A BICYCLE BRIGADE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2177, 27 December 1875, Page 3

A BICYCLE BRIGADE.

A bicycle brigade is the latest military Dotelty. It is Italy which has taken the first, step.towards the utilisation of the mechanical horse. At the camp of instructions at Spmma velocipedes -were lised by Uray of experiment as a means of communication between the staff at head -quarters and officer commanding corps d' larmee. The officers are represented as satisfied with the 'result- : Each bicyclist is reported' as "'■ equal to ten mounted orderlies, and their employment relieves the caitalry 6f> the duty of maintaining communication with regiments of infantry. ;In consequence' of the successful result of the experiment, it is said to be the intention of the Italian Government to supply each battalion with a velocipede, and to exercise a certain number of men in this new style of " military equitation. Does this novelty not contain the germ of a complete revolution in military affairs? If one bicycle is equal to ten mounted orderlies, what may not a battallion of bicyclists be?. Cavalry regiments are expensive affairs, horse flesh is dear, provender is expensive, and in time of war losses are not easily made Hood. The mechanical horse requires no food, the regimental smith would keep it in repair as readily as shoe the'horses, and the initial expense is a mere bagatelle. The bicycle lancers or the Royal bicycle hussars are clearly destined to be the cavalry of the future. "When that day comes the art of war will.have reached its utmost' limit, and the millennium will not be far distant., ,