§ MR. NOELsaid, that in consequence of the casualties of war, our cavalry force in the Crimea had been nearly destroyed, and was at present unable to take the field. It would be most satisfactory to know that reinforcements had been sent out, and he therefore begged to ask the hon. Under Secretary for War what steps had been taken to increase our cavalry force, and to maintain the effective establishment of the different regiments; and also, whether it was the intention of the Government to forward without delay, in steam transports, large draughts of the different cavalry regiments now in the Crimea?
§ MR. FREDERICK PEELsaid, the establishment of the cavalry force at the present time, as compared with its amount at the same time last year, was, he believed, just double, both with regard to men and horses. An arrangement had been made that each regiment of cavalry in this country should raise for active service about 120 men and 300 horses. The cavalry force in the Crimea had been increased by bringing from India two cavalry regiments which had passed through Egypt and had now reached their destination. In addition 550 men and double that number of horses were now on their passage from this country to the Crimea; and upwards of 1,100 men and horses had been ordered to proceed to the same destination. One 1788 of the ships which had been taken up for the conveyance of these reinforcements was a steamer; the others, he believed, were sailing vessels. He might further state that it was intended to form at Scutari a reserve of about 150 men and horses for each of the cavalry regiments now in the Crimea.
§ MR. PEELIt is very difficult to obtain steam transports at the present time, therefore some sailing vessels must be employed.