Chapter XXIII: Part VI: Field Battery Exercise.13 (3)

+---+-------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | | H | L |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+
| A | | I | J | M | N |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+
| 4 | 32 Pounder Howitzers | . | . | 12 | 4 |
|12 | Howitzer Ammunition Waggons | . | . | 24 | 12 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Spare Howitzer Carriage | . | . | 3 | 1 |
| 1 | Forge | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 2 | Flanders Waggons | . | . | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | . | . | 3 |
| . | For { Staff Serjeants, and } | . | 10 | . | . |
| | { Mounted Non-Com. } | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | 2 | . | . |
| | { Farrier | . | 1 | . | . |
| | { Shoeing-smith | . | 1 | . | . |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | . | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | 6 | . | . | . |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+
|26 | Total Carriages. Total | 6 | 15 | 48 | 29 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+

+-------------------------------------------------+
| { Captain 1 |
| Officers. { Second Captain |
| { Lieutenants 3 |
| { Assist.-Surgeon 1 |
| |
| { Staff Serjeants 2 |
| { Serjeants 6 |
| Non-Commissioned { Corporals 5 |
| Officers and { Bombardiers 6 |
| Men. { Gunners } 182 |
| { Drivers } |
| { Trumpeters 2 |
| |
| { Farrier 1 |
| Artificers. { Shoeing-smiths 5 |
| { Collar-makers 2 |
| { Wheelers 2 |
| --- |
| Total 219 |
+-------------------------------------------------+

DETAIL OF A RESERVE OF GUN AND SMALL ARM AMMUNITION FOR ACTIVE SERVICE WITH THE ARMY IN THE EAST.

Key:
A = Number of Carriages.
C = Gunners.
D = Drivers.
E = Riding.
F = Draught.
G = Total.
H = Sets of Appointments.
I = Officers.
J = N. C. Officers.
L = Harness Sets Double.
M = Lead.
N = Wheel.

+---+-------------------------------+--------------+--------------+
| | | Men. | Horses. |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+----+----+
| A | | C and D | G | E | F | G |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+
|30 | Ammunition { Gun 4 | 8 | 12 | 20 | . | 24 | 24 |
| | Waggons { Howitzer 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | . | 12 | 12 |
| | { Small arm 24 | 24 | 72 | 96 | . |144 |144 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Forge | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | 4 | 4 | . | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | . | . | 10 | . | 10 |
| | { Mounted Non-Com. } | | | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | . | . | 2 | . | 2 |
| | { Farrier | . | . | . | 1 | . | 1 |
| | { Shoeing-smith | . | . | . | 1 | . | 1 |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | 12 | 27 | 39 | 2 | 18 | 20 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | . | . | . | 6 | . | 6 |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . | 6 | 6 |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+----+----+
|39 | Total Carriages. Total | 48 |132 |180 | 22 |234 |256 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+

+---+-------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | | H | L |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+
| A | | I | J | M | N |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+
|30 | Ammunition { Gun 4 | . | . | 8 | 4 |
| | Waggons { Howitzer 2 | . | . | 4 | 2 |
| | { Small arm 24 | . | . | 48 | 24 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Forge | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | . | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | . | . | 3 |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | 10 | . | . |
| | { Mounted Non-Com. } | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | 2 | . | . |
| | { Farrier | . | 1 | . | . |
| | { Shoeing-smith | . | 1 | . | . |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | . | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | 6 | . | . | . |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+
|39 | Total Carriages. Total | 6 | 15 | 68 | 40 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+

+-------------------------------------------------+
| { Captain 1 |
| Officers. { Second Captain 1 |
| { Lieutenants 3 |
| { Assist.-Surgeon 1 |
| |
| { Staff-Serjeants 2 |
| { Serjeants 6 |
| Non-Commissioned { Corporals 5 |
| Officers and { Bombardiers 7 |
| Men. { Gunners } 180 |
| { Drivers } |
| { Trumpeters 2 |
| |
| { Farrier 1 |
| Artificers. { Shoeing-smiths 6 |
| { Collar-makers 3 |
| { Wheelers 2 |
| --- |
| Total 220 |
+-------------------------------------------------+

DETAIL OF A GUN AMMUNITION RESERVE FOR ACTIVE SERVICE, AND TO BE ATTACHED TO THE RESERVE ARTILLERY WITH THE ARMY IN THE EAST.

Key:
A = Number of Carriages.
C = Gunners.
D = Drivers.
E = Riding.
F = Draught.
G = Total.
H = Sets of Appointments.
I = Officers.
J = N. C. Officers.
L = Harness Sets Double.
M = Lead.
N = Wheel.

+---+-------------------------------+--------------+--------------+
| | | Men. | Horses. |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+----+----+
| A | | C and D | G | E | F | G |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+
|24 | Ammunition { Gun 16 | 32 | 48 | 80 | . | 96 | 96 |
| | Waggons { Howitzer 8 | 16 | 24 | 40 | . | 48 | 48 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Forge | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | 4 | 4 | . | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | { Spare Gun Carriages—1 } | . | 6 | 6 | . | 12 | 12 |
| | { Gun and 1 Howitzer } | | | | | | |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | . | . | 14 | . | 14 |
| | { Mounted Non-Com. } | | | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | . | . | 2 | . | 2 |
| | { Farrier | . | . | . | 1 | . | 1 |
| | { Shoeing-smiths | . | . | . | 2 | . | 2 |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | 15 | 30 | 45 | 2 | 20 | 22 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | . | . | . | 6 | . | 6 |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | 6 | 6 | . |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+----+----+
|35 | Total Carriages. Total | 63 |123 |186 | 27 |212 |239 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+

+---+-------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | | H | L |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+
| A | | I | J | M | N |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+
|24 | Ammunition { Gun 16 | . | . | 32 | 16 |
| | Waggons { Howitzer 8 | . | . | 16 | 8 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Forge | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | . | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | . | . | 3 |
| 2 | { Spare Gun Carriages—1 } | . | . | 4 | 2 |
| | { Gun and 1 Howitzer } | | | | |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | 10 | . | . |
| | { Mounted Non-Com. } | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | 2 | . | . |
| | { Farrier | . | 1 | . | . |
| | { Shoeing-smiths | . | 2 | . | . |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | . | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | 6 | . | . | . |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+
|35 | Total Carriages. Total | 6 | 16 | 60 | 36 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+

+-------------------------------------------------+
| { Captain 1 |
| Officers. { Second Captain 1 |
| { Lieutenants 3 |
| { Assist.-Surgeon 1 |
| |
| { Staff-Serjeants 2 |
| { Serjeants 6 |
| Non-Commissioned { Corporals 5 |
| Officers and { Bombardiers 7 |
| Men. { Gunners } 186 |
| { Drivers } |
| { Trumpeters 2 |
| |
| { Farrier 1 |
| Artificers. { Shoeing-smiths 7 |
| { Collar-makers 3 |
| { Wheelers 4 |
| --- |
| Total 229 |
+-------------------------------------------------+

DETAIL OF A SMALL ARM AMMUNITION RESERVE FOR ACTIVE SERVICE, TO BE ATTACHED TO THE RESERVE ARTILLERY WITH THE ARMY IN THE EAST.

Key:
A = Number of Carriages.
C = Gunners.
D = Drivers.
E = Riding.
F = Draught.
G = Total.
H = Sets of Appointments.
I = Officers.
J = N. C. Officers.
L = Harness Sets Double.
M = Lead.
N = Wheel.

+---+-------------------------------+--------------+--------------+
| | | Men. | Horses. |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+----+----+
| A | | C and D | G | E | F | G |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+
|36 | Small Arm Ammunition Waggons | 36 |108 |144 | . |216 |216 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Forge | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | 1 | 1 | . | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | 4 | 4 | . | 8 | 8 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | 3 | 3 | . | 6 | 6 |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | . | . | 10 | . | 10 |
| | { mounted Non-Com. } | | | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | . | . | 2 | . | 2 |
| | { Farrier | . | . | . | 1 | . | 1 |
| | { Shoeing-smith | . | . | . | 1 | . | 1 |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | 30 | 31 | 61 | 4 | 20 | 24 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | . | . | . | 6 | . | 6 |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . | 6 | 6 |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+----+----+
|45 | Total Carriages. Total | 66 |154 |220 | 24 |272 |296 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+

+---+-------------------------------+---------+---------+
| | | H | L |
| | EQUIPMENT. +----+----+----+----+
| A | | I | J | M | N |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+
|36 | Small Arm Ammunition Waggons | . | . | 72 | 36 |
| 1 | Store Limber Waggon | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Forge | . | . | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | Store Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 1 | Medicine Cart | . | . | . | 1 |
| 2 | Light Forage Waggons | . | . | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Water Carts | . | . | . | 3 |
| . | For { Staff-Serjeants and } | . | 10 | . | . |
| | { mounted Non-Com. } | | | | |
| | { Officers } | | | | |
| | { Trumpeters | . | 2 | . | . |
| | { Farrier | . | 1 | . | . |
| | { Shoeing-smith | . | 1 | . | . |
| . | { Spare Men, Officers’ } | . | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| | { Servants and Bâtmen, } | | | | |
| | { &c., and Spare Horses } | | | | |
| . | Officers’ Horses | 6 | . | . | . |
| . | Bât Horses | . | . | . | . |
+---+ +----+----+----+----+
|45 | Total Carriages. Total | 6 | 16 | 82 | 47 |
+---+-------------------------------+----+----+----+----+

+-------------------------------------------------+
| { Captain 1 |
| Officers. { Second Captain 1 |
| { Lieutenants 3 |
| { Assist.-Surgeon 1 |
| |
| { Staff-Serjeants 2 |
| { Serjeants 6 |
| Non-Commissioned { Corporals 5 |
| Officers and { Bombardiers 7 |
| Men. { Gunners } 220 |
| { Drivers } |
| { Trumpeters 2 |
| |
| { Farrier 1 |
| Artificers. { Shoeing-smiths 7 |
| { Collar-makers 3 |
| { Wheelers 2 |
| --- |
| Total 261 |
+-------------------------------------------------+

ON THE INTERIOR MANAGEMENT OF A BATTERY.

1. The greatest care should be paid to the fittings of the saddles and collars; extensive sore backs and galled shoulders arise chiefly from neglect on the march: and by prompt attention on the part of the officers, many horses may be preserved to the service, which would otherwise be disabled for months. The drivers should never be suffered to lounge in their saddles, or to sit uneven. A folded blanket under the saddle is found to be the best preventive of sore backs, as it adapts the shape of the saddle to any loss of flesh in the animal.

On long marches, the shaft horse should invariably be provided with a half blanket under the pad saddle; every driver should also have attached to his harness a pair of pads of basil leather, about six inches by four, stuffed with hair; and the moment any tenderness is perceived in a horse’s shoulder, the pressure should be relieved by placing the pads above and below the tender part.

2. On a march, there will always be an advanced and rear guard; the advanced guard of one day becoming the rear guard of the next. On arriving on the ground where the battery is to be parked, the advanced guard will immediately pitch their tent, and post sentinels. When the battery quits its ground, the non-commissioned officer of the guard is responsible that nothing be left behind.

3. When a battery is to march, the camp kettles, and everything that will not be required before morning, should be lashed on the carriages at sunset.

4. In parking guns, the usual interval is ten or twelve paces; but on a march, that everything may be better under the eye of the sentinels, the intervals may be diminished to three or four paces. The guns are to be in the first line, covered by their respective waggons; the spare ammunition and store carriages in the third line. The tents of the detachment are sometimes on the flanks of the battery, and sometimes in rear of their respective sub-divisions: the officers in rear of the battery. The horses are sometimes picketed in rear of the whole, and parallel to the line of guns, and sometimes perpendicular to this line, and on the flanks between the detachments, tents, and the carriages; but in general, the form of encamping will depend on the nature of the ground and local circumstances. In every situation the approach to the park, and the road by which the guns are brought out, should be kept clear and open.

5. If the battery is parked in hot weather, the naves of the wheels must be defended as much as possible from the effect of the sun, by sods or other covering.

6. When a battery arrives in camp, quarters, or cantonments, each non-commissioned officer will immediately examine every part of the carriages of his sub-division, especially the wheels, to the greasing of which he will attend. Any damages, to be repaired without delay, he will report to the officer of his division, who will report to the commander of the battery.

7. When a battery is in stationary quarters, there must be a weekly inspection of every part of the battery, and a parade in marching order, when circumstances will permit; at which parade, every part of the harness and appointments of gunners and drivers is expected to be in the best order. Particular attention should be paid to the state of the ammunition, which should be frequently aired; and no fresh ammunition should ever be received without being gauged to the guns.

8. The drivers must immediately report any loss or breakage of their harness; and, on the instant, make known to the non-commissioned officer of the sub-division, any gall or other hurt which may have happened to the horses committed to their charge: any neglect on this point must be punished. Airing and beating with a knotted rope the stuffing of the collars and saddles is an important part of the driver’s duty, which should never be omitted on continued marches. In camp, greasy heels are the most common disability which horses labour under; and as they proceed from cold, occasioning humours to settle, the best preventive is hand-rubbing and exercise, to keep up a circulation.

9. Unless for some particular purpose, the elevating screws should never be raised higher than the half of their length; on a march, they should be covered with a piece of canvas, or an old flannel cartridge, which will prevent their being clogged with dirt; and the travelling chain should be always applied. The pintail, and the trail plate eye, should be greased previous to marching.

10. After a field day, or an action, the bores of the guns should be washed, and then laid under metal.

11. If a wheel be so disabled as not to be worth repairing, the nave, if not damaged, should be at any rate saved. If the nave be good, a new wheel can easily be made from materials perhaps found on the spot, but it is very difficult to find a nave.

12. In marching in ordinary circumstances, the officer next for duty will always proceed in advance, to take up quarters, and to choose ground for parking, or encamping on; and the officer on duty for the day will always march in, and bring up the rear.

13. When a battery is to march, and “_Boot and saddle_” has been sounded, the officer of the day, the non-commissioned officers, drivers, and horses will turn out, and immediately proceed to the park and put-to; if encamped, tents to be struck, and lashed to the carriages. At the sound “_Turn out_,” the whole of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and gunners, repair to the park; and when the usual inspections have been made, and the regular reports delivered to the commander, the battery will be marched off.

14. Feeding will always take place three times a day at the park, under the inspection of the officer of the day; when the nose-bags have been filled by the non-commissioned officer in charge of the forage, the trumpeter is to sound “_Feed_,” the nose-bags are put on, and the drivers fall in, in front; after the feed, the nose-bags are rolled up and buckled on.

15. A non-commissioned officer is to have charge of and serve out the corn and forage, which for security will be deposited at the park guard; but on a march, when the corn is carried on the ammunition waggons, no more corn should be taken off the carriages than is likely to be wanted.

16. Buckets are provided for watering the horses on a march; by this means they can be watered from wells or places inaccessible to the animals, or at least to more than one or two of them at a time: but the operation is a long one. If on a march a small river or stream of water is to be forded, this opportunity of watering them, or at any rate of giving them a mouthful of water in crossing it, should be seized: it saves much time. Should the stream, however, be very rapid, or deep, or should there be troops immediately in the rear, no halt should be made in fording it.

17. The _Serjeant-major_ is to superintend all parades and drills, under the inspection of the officer on duty. The _Quartermaster serjeant_ is to draw provisions and forage; he is to make out returns, and have charge of the spare stores.

18. The _Trumpeter_ is always to be quartered in the nearest billet to the commanding officer; and the men and horses of each sub-division and division to be as near together as possible. A gunner from each sub-division, or a gunner of the guard, is to be made acquainted with the quarters of the commander of the battery, that in any emergency there may be no delay in finding him out: the same applies to the officers of divisions as far as their divisions are concerned.

19. The _Farrier_ is to report every evening to the commanding officer the state of the sick animals; and on the ——, (the particular days to be mentioned) a return, in writing, of the number of horse (and mule, if any) shoes, and quantity of horse medicines expended.

20. The senior _Collar-maker_, the _Jobbing-smith_, and the _Wheeler_, to make similar reports of the stores expended in their several departments: these reports to be delivered to the serjeant-major, to be laid by him before the commander of the battery.

21. The _Artificers_ are to work as near as possible to the park guard, the non-commissioned officer of which is responsible that no work is done, or horse shod, except for the battery, without written permission from the commander.

22. The _Forge_, when employed, should be removed to a proper distance from the park. It should, at night, be brought back to its place, and everything arranged on it, so that, should the battery be suddenly ordered to march, there may be no delay.

LASSO.

_Lasso harness_ consists of a brown leather surcingle, and one trace. The surcingle is rather wider than a common girth, and is composed of two pieces (joined together by rings), one of which is placed over the saddle, and the other round the belly of the horse. There are also rings at the end of the surcingle, which is drawn very firmly round the horse, and fastened tight by lapping a white leather thong (fixed at one end of the surcingle) through these rings. There are two descriptions of traces, one being 8, and the other 12 feet long. They have hooks at each end, and, when the lasso harness is made use of by cavalry, &c., to assist draught horses in moving very heavy carriages, or in dragging guns, &c., up steep hills, one of these hooks is fastened to a ring in the surcingle, and the other to the carriage, &c.

Lasso harness may be advantageously employed with all horses; even those unaccustomed to draught having been found perfectly tractable and efficient the first time they were required to draw by means of the lasso. When two horses are in draught, the traces must be inside, and each rider should keep his horse’s croup a little outwards.

EMBARKING, AND DISEMBARKING.

The following directions will be found applicable to nearly all the cases likely to occur: such as embarking, or disembarking from a beach; from a wharf; with, or without boats; in presence of an enemy, &c., &c.

_Sec. 39.[17] Embarking Guns, and Carriages._

_Preparations._

1. On the arrival of the battery at the place of embarkation, it is to be drawn up in as compact order as is consistent with the performance of the operations required. The horses are to be taken out; the harness taken off and packed in vats, and the stores in cases. When there are no vats and cases, the stores must be secured to the carriages or tied together: the intrenching tools may remain with the carriages. The non-commissioned officers in charge of sub-divisions will attach to their harness and stores, pieces of basil having the number of their sub-divisions written upon them. The harness for each carriage should be embarked with it.

2. The gun detachments will prepare the carriages for embarkation. They will take off the side arms and secure them together, take out the elevating screws, unkey the cap-squares, unlash the ammunition boxes, and coil up the lashing ropes. Each carriage, when called for, is to be run forward to the boat or crane; the gun is to be unlimbered and dismounted; the ammunition boxes, shafts, wheels, &c., to be taken off; the washers and linch-pins must be carefully put away in the slow match box, and in the small box between the limber boxes. Every article must be stowed away with the greatest care, and arranged so as to be got at without delay.

3. Those articles which will be the last required when disembarking are the first to be embarked. The divisions, and everything belonging to them, should be kept together as much as possible. The first to be embarked are the spare carriages and forge, which are to be stowed forward, the left division next to them, and before the main hatchway; the centre abaft the hatchway; the right under the hatchway. The whole of the guns are put together, generally in the bottom of the hold, vents turned downwards, and a fid in them, to prevent their being choked.

4. When a battery is embarked in different vessels, every part should be complete, and a proportion of general stores be on board of each. If the voyage is likely to last some days, the cartouches with the ammunition must be taken out of the boxes, and stowed in the magazine. The ammunition must be so placed that whatever part belongs to any particular carriage may be got at without difficulty. When the cartouches are not taken out, the boxes must be stowed well aft in the hold, or between decks, and they should be well covered with wadmilltilts, or hair cloths.

5. In embarking from a beach, it may be necessary to erect small sheers, made of a couple of topgallant masts, previously prepared for the purpose. In embarking from a wharf, if there are cranes, they should be made use of. If boats are employed, the loads must be regulated by the state of the weather, and distance of the vessels.

_Embarking the horses._

6. When the vessels can come alongside a wharf, the horses are hoisted in by means of tackle. The slings, made of canvas, should be minutely inspected, to see that they are secure. There must be a double guy made fast to the horse’s head, one end on shore, the other on board, to keep his head steady. A shoeing-smith should be in each ship, to receive the horses.

7. A horse requires at least four men besides the driver to sling him, one on each side, one at his breast, and one behind. One end of the sling is passed under his belly, and both ends made to meet over his back; one man passes his loop through the other, it is received by the man on the other side, who hauls it through, hooking the tackle to it, both men holding up the ends of the sling. The men at the breast and behind bring their ropes round, and make them fast to the grummets. The driver holds the horse’s head, and makes fast the guys to it. The horse being previously blindfolded, the word “HOIST AWAY” is given, and he is hoisted on board. The sling is then taken off, and he is led to his place; the first horses being always placed forward or aft, as the ship fills; the stalls nearest the hatchway being reserved for the horses which are to be first landed.

8. The horses are to be embarked in the same order as the carriages, taking care that the officers’ and non-commissioned officers’ horses are on board with the divisions to which they belong. The farriers and shoeing-smiths should be distributed in different ships.

9. When horses are embarked in boats; sheers, or a derrick, are necessary. The head of the derrick must incline inwards when the horse is rising, but when he is high enough the head of the derrick or sheers must be forced out, to bring the horse over the boat. This applies to a beach, or wharf. Sand or straw should be put in the boats, to prevent the horses slipping. They should stand athwart, the head of one horse being on the starboard, and the head of the next on the larboard side. The drivers sit on the gunwale, or stand between the horses.

10. When horses are embarked from an open beach without any appliances, they are to be led to the boat, and the halter given to one of the men in it. The horse must then be made to walk or leap into it, the gunwale of the boat being inclined towards the shore. A quiet horse should first be embarked, and the others will more readily follow.

11. In embarking in presence of an enemy, the horses and carriages, should first be embarked, the guns being retained to the last, to repel any attack. If the position be a mile or two from the place of embarkation, it may be necessary to retain a portion of the horses.

APPLICATION OF FIELD ARTILLERY.[18]

_General remarks._

1. In a defensive position, the guns of the largest calibre should be posted on the weakest points of the line, and on those from whence the enemy can be discovered at the greatest distance. Those heights on which the enemy in advancing may rest his flanks, and those from whence he may be fired upon obliquely, must also be occupied by the largest calibres.

2. In an offensive position, the guns of the heaviest calibre should be placed in such situations as will render them available, without difficulty, for any operations in advance. In heavy ground, a nine or twelve pounder battery, when coming into action, should reverse, when it will be only necessary to drop the trail, instead of carrying it round by hand.

3. The guns should be placed as much as possible under cover; this is easily done on heights, by keeping them so far back that the muzzles are only to be seen over them. By proper attention, advantage may be taken of many situations, such as banks, ditches, &c.

4. Artillery in the field should be concealed from the enemy till the very moment it is to open; the guns may be masked by being a little retired, or by being covered with troops, particularly by cavalry.

_Ammunition waggons._

5. No positive rule can be laid down for all cases, with respect to the ammunition waggons in presence of an enemy: this must depend on a variety of circumstances; but in general it will be found expedient to place them under charge of an officer, who will conform to the movements of the main body, in such a manner and at such distance, as to enable him to supply the guns with ammunition, before that which is in the limbers is expended.

6. The spot selected for a battery should be one which does not present any obstacles to the ulterior movements.

7. The most elevated situations are not the best; the greatest effect may be produced at a distance of six hundred yards, from a height of thirty or forty yards; and at two hundred yards distance from a height of sixteen.

8. Round shot should be used from three hundred yards, upwards. The use of case should begin at three hundred, and the quickness of fire increase as the range diminishes.

9. Double charges of case may be used at one hundred and fifty or one hundred and sixty yards. Shrapnell shells should not be used at a less range than six hundred and fifty yards.

10. The guns should never be abandoned till the last extremity; the last discharges are the most destructive.

_On the march._

1. Intelligent non-commissioned officers should be sent to reconnoitre a road or ground that artillery is to pass over, and, when necessary, to report the state of it. When the march is connected with military operations, an officer should always be employed for this duty.

2. The officers of divisions should frequently halt, to see that their carriages are marching in proper order, and are well up.

3. The strictest attention should constantly be paid to the correct preservation of distances, the loss of which may be made up by small bodies of artillery; but when in large bodies, or when acting with infantry, the operation is attended with serious disadvantage, particularly to the latter; it is a point, therefore, which cannot be too strongly insisted upon, being one of most essential consequence.

_Advanced Guard._

4. A battery marching by itself should always have an advanced guard. In a narrow road it should be considerably in front, to stop all carriages which might cause obstruction. In a hilly road, it should reconnoitre the top of every hill, and see that it is all clear before the guns come up.

5. Parties should always be sent out on each flank.

6. When an accident happens to a carriage, either on the march, or manœuvring, those in its rear should pass it on the most convenient flank, and fill up its interval. It will resume its place as soon as the damage is repaired. A waggon belonging to a disabled gun should always remain with it; but a gun must not wait for its disabled waggon, but leave only a sufficient number of men to put it into a proper state.

_Crossing fords._

1. Artillery can cross a river about three and a half feet deep, though much depends on the strength of the current. The ammunition boxes are so well made that the water will seldom penetrate through them, particularly if the river be narrow, and the guns pass quickly. The canvas cartouches afford additional protection, and they may be taken out if necessary.

2. When the water is deep, and the current strong, great attention must be paid in fording. The person conducting the column over a direct ford, should keep his eye steadily on an object on the opposite bank, which points out where the ford is: he must never look at the stream, which would deceive him, and would appear to carry him down, and he would endeavour to keep too high up the stream, and miss the ford.

3. All those in the rear should keep their eyes on those in front; every individual should wade rather against the stream, in order to resist its power.

4. Troops should always cross a ford with the largest possible front, for the same reason.

5. If the ford is not well known, and there is no guide, it should be previously examined, and the dangerous places marked. In fording, the horses should neither be allowed to trot, halt, or drink.

_Passage of military bridges._

1. Great attention and caution are required in passing over pontoon bridges, the vibratory motion of which is very dangerous, and should be lessened by every possible means.

2. The troops, in passing, should not preserve an equal pace. There should be no halt on the bridge. As soon as the bridge is perceived to rock, the passage of the troops must be stopped.

3. The greatest precaution is necessary to prevent accidents in tide rivers at low water. Unless battens are nailed across the chesses on the slopes, the horses will have the greatest difficulty in keeping their feet, indeed if the chesses be wet it will be impossible; the men must therefore always assist; holding on when going down, and manning the wheels when going up.

4. The drivers must in some cases dismount, and an interval must be left between the carriages equal to their own length; they must be passed over gently. In wet weather over chesses, great care must be taken to prevent the horses slipping. It may sometimes be necessary, unless the bridge be strong, to pass the carriages and horses over separately.

5. In passing over a flying bridge, it may occasionally be advisable to take the horses out; and in boisterous weather, or at night, the wheels should be locked.

_Crossing a bridge, and passing a defile._

1. The battery should always pass with the largest front possible.

2. The artillery must be previously posted to the right and left of the bridge; if it be flat, and that the other side can be seen, a gun or two should be placed on each side, and close to the road leading to it; these guns should cross first and come into action on the other side, the remaining guns continue in action and follow by degrees; they should be posted at such a distance from the bridge, that they may keep up a fire while the others are crossing and forming.

_Advancing through a defile._

3. A defile should be passed as quickly as possible, as it is a much more hazardous operation than crossing a bridge. Artillery can seldom be made available till it has passed the defile; whereas it can generally be employed in clearing the opposite bank of a river, previous to the troops pushing across.

_Over a bridge._

4. In retreating over a bridge, the artillery will gradually close in from the flanks of the troops, till all the guns are in line in front of the bridge. They will cross by degrees; the flank guns will generally cross under the protection of the centre ones; they may retire limbered up, taking up their position and coming into action to the right and left of the bridge, to protect the centre guns, which will retire with the prolonge and with the largest front possible. They may halt on the highest part, or middle of the bridge, and keep the enemy in check.

_Retiring through a defile._

5. A battery should retire from one of its flanks under the protection of the other; the covering guns retiring with the largest front possible.

6. Should the defile be wide, and there are any favourable situations in it, they should be taken advantage of, and guns posted to protect the retreat of the others. The situations must be such as the guns can retire from, and continue the retreat without difficulty.

7. When artillery is retiring along a road, or through a defile which is hilly, some of the guns should halt on the tops of the hills, and protect the retreat of those in the hollow. In these cases, round shot may be fired with safety to the troops retreating, and perhaps with good effect against an enemy.

8. The guns which are retreating, may pass those in position without halting; they will take up other positions, the whole retreating alternately.

9. In retreating towards a defile, the artillery may retire in line, or by half batteries, or by divisions; forming new lines and retreating again; or it may retreat alternately; or in echellon from either flank. This must depend on the nature of the ground, and the flank on which the enemy may be.

10. In these retrograde movements, the ammunition waggons must be sent to the rear. One or two may be kept nearer than the others, to supply ammunition.

_Artillery, acting with other troops._

1. The artillery should always cover the troops when advancing, retiring, or deploying into line.

2. When the line retires by alternate companies, wings, or battalions, the artillery must remain with that part of it which is nearest the enemy; retiring with the prolonge, and halting when it arrives at the halted part of the line.

_In column._

3. When the troops are in column, the artillery should be on the flank.

4. When a line of troops wheels backward into column, the artillery break into column, and close to the reverse flank, so as not to interrupt the line of pivots.

ENCAMPING, AND PICKETING.

_[19]Sec. 29. First method._

The battery being formed in line, at full intervals, the horses are picketed, and the tents pitched in rear.

_Prepare to encamp, and picket._

At the word PREPARE TO ENCAMP, AND PICKET, the drivers dismount and unhook; the markers take up an alignment twelve yards in rear of the battery, and facing it, for the line of pickets; the marker of the centre division in the centre; the others extend from him the number of yards there are horses in each half battery. One staff serjeant ten yards in rear of the centre marker indicates the alignment for the men’s tents. The second staff serjeant twenty yards in rear of the other, to mark the spot for the captain’s marquee. Nos. 1 and 6 unlash tents; 4 and 5 of each sub-division are told off for the marquee; 2, 3, 7, and 8 take a picket each, 9 a maul, and the wheel drivers a picket line.

_Encamp, and picket._

At the word ENCAMP, AND PICKET, the numbers with the pickets form on the centre marker, facing to the front, the numbers with the mauls in front of and facing them.

The start’ officer gives OUTWARDS FACE—QUICK MARCH, when the men with pickets extend outwards, dividing themselves at equal distance along the alignment taken up by the markers.

The staff officer dresses them, and gives the word STEADY, when the numbers with the mauls commence to drive the pickets.

The markers dismount, and assist the wheel drivers in making fast the line from centre to flanks, taking two half hitches round each picket, above and below the hook.

The horses are then brought up, the marker’s horse of the centre division in the centre, the spare horses on each side of him, the wheelers, centre horses, and the leaders of the centre waggon next, and the rest in succession; the officers’ and N.C. officers’ horses on the flanks of their respective divisions.

_Fastening the horses._

The horses are fastened by the centre of the collar chains to the line, taking two half hitches round it; the T end being also passed through the diamond link.

Nos. 1 take up an alignment ten yards in rear of the pickets, for the men’s tents. They are dressed by the staff serjeant.

The centre of the tent is indicated by a peg; they then drive four guy pegs to the front, rear, right, and left, at three yards distance from the centre one. Nos. 6 spread out the tents, and fix the second cord from each side of the door to the front peg, the fifth cord on each side to the side pegs, and the rear cord to the rear peg. They then put the tent-pole into the canvas, lying on the ground.

_Raising the tents._

As soon as all is ready, the commanding officer gives the word RAISE THE TENTS, which is done by Nos. 6. Nos. 1 and 6 then drive in their pegs, and fasten the remaining cords.

_Preparing the marquee._

The second staff serjeant dismounts, and the position of the marquee is indicated by two pegs, driven at a distance equal to the length of the ridge pole, on the spot where his horse stood. Nos. 4 and 5 of each sub-division (being detailed for the marquee), fall in, and are told off by the second staff serjeant, from 1 to 12; as eight men only are required, the remainder are spare. 1, 2, 3, and 4 spread out the roof, the outside on the ground, the door to the rear; 5 and 7 double the lining, lay it on the roof, and put in the ridge pole; 6 and 8 put the standards together, and pass them through the lining; 5 and 7 fix the girthing and ridge pole on the spikes. The inside being thus arranged, half of the roof is turned over in order to prepare the outside. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 fix the vases on the spikes, and take two half hitches round them with the centre of each guy.

The marquee is raised by 5, 6, 7 and 8, at the same time as the tents. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 take a guy peg and a mallet each, stretch the guys, and fasten them to the pegs in such a manner that they cross each other at each side, at the point of the dirk, which is painted on the roof; they then drive in the roof pegs, working round to their left, with their backs to the marquee; the pegs on the sides to be driven in a line parallel to the marquee, but at the ends in a half circle; 5 and 6 then hook on the wall from rear to front, overlapping two hooks at the rear, and peg it down; 7 and 8 hook on the lining, and peg it down; 5, 6, 7 and 8 also arrange the door. If there is a second marquee, it is fixed in the same manner.

As soon as the pickets are driven, Nos. 2 and 3 of each sub-division pitch the subalterns’ tents, directed by the staff serjeant, ten yards in rear of the men’s tents, in the centre of their division, the doors to the front; Nos. 7 pitch the guard tent, twenty yards in front of the centre of the battery, the door to the front.

_Sec. 30. Second method._

The battery being formed in line, at half intervals, the horses are picketed, and the men’s tents pitched on each flank; the officers’ tents in rear.

At the word PREPARE TO ENCAMP, AND PICKET, the markers of the flank divisions mark twelve yards from the flanks of the battery for the line of pickets, facing to the rear.

At the word ENCAMP, AND PICKET, the picket numbers of each half battery form on the markers facing the battery; the numbers of the centre sub-divisions next the markers; they are faced to the rear, extended at equal distances, and dressed by the officers of the flank divisions; the distance they extend must be regulated by the number of horses in each half battery, allowing one yard for each horse.

The men’s tents are ten yards outside of the line of pickets, facing the horses of their own sub-divisions, dressed by the staff serjeants.

The subalterns’ tents ten yards in rear of the last line of carriages, and the commanding officer’s marquee ten yards in rear of them.

The guard tent as in the first method.

All the duties of picketing the horses, pitching the tents and marquees, are performed by the same numbers as detailed in the first method.

_Arrangement of the harness._

If the harness is to be taken off, it is placed in line, ten yards behind the horses. The traces, breeching, and collars are put inside the pad, which is laid inside the saddle; and the whole is kept compact by buckling the surcingle of the saddle tight round it; the bridles are laid over the cantles, which are towards the horses.

_Sec. 31. To strike the Encampment._

The horses being harnessed and hooked in, at the word STRIKE TENTS, AND PICKETS, the pickets are struck at once; the tents and marquees prepared for striking by pulling up all the pegs except the guy ones. At the word DOWN, the whole are lowered together, and packed up as quick as possible.

With a brigade of batteries, the commanding officer’s marquee would be pitched fifteen yards in centre, and in rear of the whole, door to the rear, by the spare marquee men of each battery. The pickets and tents of the whole brigade would be pitched in line, dressed by the adjutant, and serjeant-major.

WEIGHT, DIMENSIONS, ETC., OF TENTS.

CAPTAIN’S MARQUEE.

ft. in. in.
Ridge pole, length 6 11 } { 2½
Standards, each 8 2 } in two pieces diameter { 2½
Door standards 6 3 } { 1½

Mallets, 2. Pins—Large, 4; Small, 96.
Weight of Marquee complete, 142 lb.

SUBALTERN’S MARQUEE.

ft. in. in.
Ridge pole, length 6 3 } { 2¼
Standards, each 8 0 } in two pieces diameter { 2¼
Door standards 6 1 } { 1½

Mallets, 2. Pins—Large, 4; Small, 76.
Weight of Marquee complete, 132 lb.

BELL TENT, CIRCULAR.

ft. in. in.
Standards, length 10 3 in two pieces diameter 2

Pins, 40 Mallets, 2.
Weight of Tent complete, 60 lb.

LABORATORY TENT, CIRCULAR.