Mad Cavalry Rush.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7906, 23 August 1905, Page 4

Mad Cavalry Rush.

DRAGOONS CHARGE INFANTRY AT ALDERSHOT. GUARDS. DISABLED. An extraordinary incident occurred at Aldershot on July 6, which brought to an abrupt conclusion a scheme ol field operations which was being carried on by the troops around the Fox Hills.

The Foot Guards Brigade, who weri 'acting as rearguard to a force returning from the Hog's Back to the Fox Hills, bad proceeded as far Normandy Common, when the Cavalry brigade were ordered to charge them.

lire cavalry, however, got out o. hand, the charge was carried too far, and the dragoons dashed anion,; the Guardsmen. Some of the attacking force slashed right and lcil at the Guards Brigade with their sabres, and others, riding along the flanks, discharged their rifles at close quarters into the ranks. The Guards dropped out of reach as quickly as possible, and defended themselves with their rifles as b?st they could , but before the impetuous cavalry m»n could be brought into order again much injuiy and damage had been done. WOUNDED BY WADS. Several of tne Guardsmen were severely injured by the flying wads from the blank cartridges, and had to bt medically treated. An officer's horse was • disabled by a sword cut, a cavalryman's leg was broken by a blow from a rifie delivered in self defence by one of the Guards, and a Guardsman saved his life by warding ofl a terrific cut at this head with a sword. So fierce Was this blow that the forcend of the Guardsman's rifle was cut completely away. The cavalry ran down the Guards' cyclists, injuring several, and smashed their machines by riding over them. The affair, which at present seems inexplicable, caused a great sensation among the officers and men, some of whom will ■be unfit iar duty for several weeks. !t is understood rtiat an official inquiry will be held into the occurrence.