English to French Art/Literary Military / Defense Cavalerie/infanterie

Je n'arrive pas à saisir le sens de ce mot dans cette phrase :
"It is more than probable that the introduction and use of this pistol in the cavalry service would give to the latter the preponderance over the infantry, if not armed in like manner, for what would become of a line or square of infantry after its fire should have been drawn by the cavalry when the latter coming up to within a few paces would pour 10 shots into their very faces"
Ce qui me perturbe pour la suite à donner du coup
L'arme en question est le revolver LeMat (pour les connaisseurs)
Merci d'avance pour votre aide