On joining his regiment, the first thing to which the attention of
the tyro is directed, is the regimental standing orders. These every
officer should be able to repeat from memory, in order that none
might have it in their power, first to commit a breach of them, and
subsequently to plead ignorance of them as an apology for his offence.
On giving the regimental standing orders a snug berth in his memory,
the first part of the book of Rules and Regulations for the formation
and exercise of His Majesty's forces, should be placed in his hand,
_the whole of which he should commit to memory_, before he is handed
over to the drill-sergeant, to be instructed in the positions, facings,
&c. Were this strictly enforced on all occasions, the pupil's progress
would be greatly accelerated, and the lessons of his instructor
rendered much more beneficial. Having acquired a competent knowledge of
part first, the pupil will then proceed to part second, which he will
in a similar manner commit to memory, and afterwards proceed with the
company drill. On being reported fully qualified to join the battalion,
the pupil should, previously to so doing, be able to repeat the whole
of part third, and as soon thereafter as possible he should be made to
commit to memory the remainder of the volume. It might be considered
rather unbecoming the rank and years of a considerable majority of
the officers at present in the British army, to call upon them to
repeat the Rules and Regulations, but I do think that it would do no
harm to call upon them for a certificate, upon honour, that they have
committed the whole of the volume to memory. The discretionary power
hitherto given to officers, which leaves them at liberty either to
make themselves acquainted with the Rules, &c. or not, as they please,
should unquestionably be withdrawn.
Military instruction should invariably be communicated to a pupil,
whether officer or soldier, in an easy, agreeable, and rather
captivating manner, so as to give him a relish for the service. For
a few lessons given in a clear and perspicuous manner, and aided
by a few examples from the Rules and Regulations, will forward the
studies of the recruit much more than a long period of harassing and
incessant drill. Too much of the latter thaws the zeal, and lessens the
inclination of the pupil to please. His tasks become irksome,--disgust
with the service succeeds,--which, in a little time, is followed by a
deep-rooted aversion to every thing in the shape of military duty or
study.
It being extremely desirable that the young officer should be qualified
to perform the duties of a subaltern, and a portion of those devolving
upon a captain, before he falls in with his company on the general
parade; the attention of a pupil might with advantage be directed to
the following regimental duties, during his progress through parts
first and second of the Rules and Regulations. In regard to those
duties, I may remark, that however trifling and insignificant some
of them may appear, regimental officers may rest assured that they
will always find it a dangerous experiment to allow any of them to
remain unperformed, or to be performed by _proxy_. For as the whole
range of regimental duty lies so immediately under the eyes of the
non-commissioned officers and privates, any deviation from the
prescribed regimental rules or regulations, is instantly observed,
noted, and may, when least expected, rise up against them, and oppose a
barrier to farther promotion.
The duty devolving on the regimental subaltern of the day, is by
many looked upon as one of form, not of utility. This is a complete
delusion; for the comfort, the health of every man in the service,
depends in a great measure upon the manner in which this duty is
performed. In order, therefore, that the young officer may have
a correct idea of this duty, previous to his being placed on the
adjutant's roster, the captain-lieutenant should frequently accompany
his young friend in a tour through the barrack-rooms early in the
morning, and point out to him how the bedding should be folded up.
These visits should be resumed at the hour of breakfast and dinner,
when he would have an opportunity of observing the state of cleanliness
in which the floors and walls of the different rooms ought to be
kept,--the manner in which the men take their places at the breakfast
and dinner tables,--the respect paid to the visiting-officer,--and the
description of _diet_ allowed to each individual. As the subaltern of
the day has also to inspect the beef and bread issued to the men, the
captain-lieutenant should accompany his pupil to the place of delivery,
and there shew him the quality which the contractors are bound to
furnish of each. This would enable him to judge correctly between the
contractors and the soldiers, and to approve or reject such provisions
as may be delivered to the battalion, with the utmost impartiality. In
the performance of this, as well as all his other duties, the subaltern
of the day should invariably bestow praise where it is merited; for one
_kind word_ spoken to the attentive soldier, in the _presence_ of those
of a different character, has frequently more effect upon the conduct
of the _latter_, than _a thousand of abuse_.
The next duty which the pupil should attend is guard-mounting. To the
eye of an experienced officer, nothing can possibly convey a more
despicable opinion of a corps, than to see its officers go through the
ceremony of guard-mounting in a slovenly or un-officer-like manner.
Indeed the character and discipline of a corps are very frequently
estimated by the manner in which the garrison-duties are performed by
the various members. So often is this the case, that too much attention
cannot be bestowed by the captain-lieutenant, in perfecting his friends
in this particular branch of duty. As soon as a pupil is so far
advanced with his drill as to be qualified to assume the command of a
section, the company of instruction should be daily formed into various
bodies representing guards, and under the command of such officers as
may be at drill, put through all the various movements prescribed for
that interesting ceremony. By adopting this course, the young officer
would be so thoroughly instructed in this duty, previous to joining his
company on the public parade, that he could exhibit before the first
Martinet in the world with eclat.
One of the most important duties which a regimental officer has
to discharge, is that which devolves upon him as a member of a
court-martial. In order to qualify a young officer to take his seat as
a member, he is generally made to attend all courts-martial held in
his battalion, for at least six or twelve months after he joins it,
and at the expiration of one or other of these periods, is ordered to
be placed on the roster as qualified for that duty. To enforce the
attendance of the pupil is all very proper; but to suppose that the
bare attendance of an officer at courts-martial, for either of these
periods, can qualify a thoughtless stripling to give a satisfactory
vote on questions involving in their issue, the health, comfort,
character, and it may be the very existence of a fellow-creature,
is the grossest folly imaginable. Is it not more probable that his
inexperience may lead him to invert the order of punishment, by giving
to the greater criminal the lesser punishment, and _vice versa_?
Unless a pupil receives considerable assistance in this part of his
studies during his probationary drills, he never can form any thing
like a correct opinion on any case that may come before him; but on any
occasion where the smallest difference in the crime may appear from
those which preceded it, he will invariably be seen floundering like a
fish out of water, quite unable to determine whether the culprit, on
being found guilty, should get one lash or three hundred, or one day's
solitary confinement, or thirty.
Now, as this appears to be a state of affairs which should not
be longer tolerated, I would propose, that, accompanied by the
captain-lieutenant, the pupil should make frequent visits to the
orderly-room, ransack the pages of the regimental court-martial book,
and cull from them such information as may be deemed necessary to
render him an important and efficient member.
By adopting this course, the pupil would at once perceive the nature
of those crimes which a regimental court-martial can take cognizance
of. By attentively perusing the evidence produced on each trial, for
and against the prisoner, in aggravation or mitigation of his crime,
and then the finding and sentence of the court, he would very soon be
able to form a tolerably correct estimate of the nature and degree
of punishment, awarded by regimental courts-martial for almost every
description of crime.
From the orderly-room the captain-lieutenant should accompany the pupil
to a few courts-martial, and there point out to him the military law
in regard to the precedence of members, the mode of constituting the
court, and conducting the proceedings, and any other information which
he may conceive necessary to elucidate the duties devolving upon the
members of every court-martial. And as members frequently decline the
honour of writing the proceedings of a court-martial, from a natural
diffidence, or want of confidence in their own abilities, every young
officer, on taking his seat as a member, should be made to write
the proceedings of every court-martial held in his corps, till the
captain-lieutenant shall report him capable of doing so, without any
assistance from him.
Previous to joining his company on the general parade, the young
officer should be fully competent to inspect the arms, accoutrements,
and clothing of the soldiers. For this purpose a complete stand of
arms, a set of accoutrements, and a suit of clothing, should constantly
remain in the keeping of the captain-lieutenant, by whom they should
be shewn to the pupil, and the use of every thing fully explained, as
well as the state of repair and cleanliness in which each article ought
at all times to be kept. Every part of the musket should be dissected,
and the name and use of every thing, down to the most minute portion of
stock, lock, and barrel, should be communicated to the inexperienced,
by the instructor.
It is highly desirable that the troops at home should have their
out-post duties frequently brought into view, and in a manner similar
to that in which they may have to discharge them in face of an
enemy. For as the largest armies are frequently under the necessity
of committing their safety and honour to the keeping of very small
fractional parts of themselves, it is indispensibly necessary that
every officer should be thoroughly instructed in the out-post duty,
before he is entrusted with the command of an out-lying piquet
in a position of danger. But it may be asked, how is this to be
accomplished, seeing that no part of the troops are ever employed on
this duty at home? I answer,--by attending to the hints given in the
following pages.
Until an officer has acquired a thorough knowledge of ground, in a
military point of view, it is quite impossible for him to become so
intimately acquainted with his out-post duties as he ought to be.
From various books he may receive information on the subject, but
nothing beyond a little theory; and every officer knows that theory
is but the assistant of practice. In theory, it is the simplest thing
imaginable to march a piquet to a given piece of ground, to post the
centinels, fell trees, and raise various kinds of works to strengthen
the post. But let any officer, without some previous instruction,
attempt to accomplish these things, and he will find every thing widely
different. The officer, whose guide and instructor is theory, moves
at all times hesitatingly,--is irresolute in all his movements,--and
when posted, knows not whether he is right or wrong. An experienced
officer, on the contrary, marches his piquet to the post assigned
it with confidence,--perceives at one glance all the favourable and
unfavourable points of the ground around him,--plants his sentries in
an instant, and adopts such measures as are necessary for the security
of the whole. Let us, therefore, by a little home practice, in addition
to theory, endeavour to acquire such a knowledge of this duty, as on
the day of trial will render us the trust-worthy guardians of those who
may be compelled to place their repose, their safety, and their honour
in our hands.
The major and captain-lieutenant should once or twice every week,
proceed with parties of officers into the country, in order to make
a military survey of it for several miles around the head-quarters
of their corps. When advancing, the major and his assistant should
point out to their friends, the strong or weak points of every
prominent piece of ground in a defensive point of view,--the most
eligible situations for defensive posts,--for raising redoubts or
breast-works,--the number of troops requisite to defend each post,--the
strong and weak parts of each,--the best mode of strengthening the
latter; and places best calculated for out-piquets.
On counter-marching, the column of course will assume an offensive
attitude. The appearance of the ground will be totally changed. The
defensive posts established on the advance, will now fall to be
attacked or turned. The major will consequently have to shew his party
how this is to be accomplished, and after describing the various modes
by which the object might be gained, he will point out those which he
may conceive deserving of a preference. If there should happen to be
any houses or villages on the road, the major should give the officers
some idea of the number of troops that could be quartered in each house
or village, in case of emergency. In fine, every information relative
to out-post duty, should be fully and distinctly communicated.
As soon as the officers can take a view of the country with a
military eye, piquets of exercise, accompanied by the major, should
be dispatched into the country two or three times a-week,--remain
out all day, and return to their quarters in the evening. Until all
the officers shall have been at least twice on this duty, those going
on piquet will require the major's assistance in the posting of their
piquets and sentries, in doing which, he must shew them by actual
experiment that a sentry posted _one yard_ too much to one side or
the other, may be productive of the most disastrous consequences to
themselves, and every one in their rear. And, as it is the imperative
duty of every officer to be prepared to make a brave and successful
defence, or to effect a safe and honourable retreat, one and all of
them should be instructed in the best and most expeditious way of
felling trees;--arranging them for the defence of their posts, and
raising little field-works, or other obstacles for similar purposes.
When each officer shall have been twice on piquet, the major should
discontinue his trips with them to their posts, but continue to give
them such instructions as he may deem necessary on marching off
their piquets. During the day he should visit each piquet, make such
observations on the dispositions of the officers as may be called for,
and where errors have been committed, either in the choice of ground,
or in planting their sentries, he must assist his friends in making a
more desirable disposition of their forces.
All officers whatever, on every change of quarters should be called
upon to give in military reports of the country for several miles
round their posts; and as a great proportion of our officers have had
but little experience in drawing up such documents, the major and his
assistant should superintend the efforts of the juniors, till they can
perform that duty themselves with facility and correctness.
As but a very small proportion of the subaltern officers have had the
pleasure of witnessing the daily movements of a large body of troops
on service, perhaps the following hints regarding the marching, and
quartering of those composing the second division of the allied army
in Spain, may not be unacceptable to them, particularly as the duties
which officers of all ranks have to perform on these occasions, cannot
be reduced to practice at home.
The second division consisted of ten British, and three Portuguese
battalions of infantry, and when formed in line, stood thus,--
_1st Brigade._ _3rd Brigade._ _4th Brigade, Portuguese._
50th, 92nd, 71st. 3rd, 57th, 66th, 31st. 6th Cacadores, 18th, 6th.
_2nd Brigade._
28th, 39th, 34th.
In forming a brigade or division, the reader will perceive that the
same rule is invariably observed. When a brigade is composed of three
battalions, the senior battalion takes post on the right, the next
in seniority on the left, and the junior in the centre; but when it
consists of four, the third in seniority forms the right centre, and
the fourth the left centre of the brigade. The senior is denominated
the right battalion, the second in seniority the left, the third
the right centre, and the fourth the left centre battalion. When a
division consists of three brigades, No. 1, is posted on the right,
and is called the right brigade; No. 2, takes the left, and is styled
the left brigade, and No. 3, forms the centre, and is denominated the
centre brigade. But when the division is composed of four brigades,
No. 3, takes post on the left of No. 1, and is called the right centre
brigade, and No. 4, being on the right of No. 2, is named the left
centre brigade.
The following order of march was almost invariably observed. When the
division moved right in front, the 50th regiment formed the leading
battalion, and was followed by all the others in the order above shown;
but when it moved left in front, the order of march was completely
reversed. On all occasions the division moved with a rear and advanced
guard, and when the proximity of the enemy rendered it necessary, with
skirmishers on each flank.
When the division was to occupy cantonments, the Quarter-master-general
of the division, the majors of brigade, quarter-masters of regiments,
and a non-commissioned and intelligent private soldier from each
company, preceded the march of the column, that the quarters might
be properly told of previous to its arrival. After selecting
suitable residences for the staff-officers of the division, the
Quarter-master-general divided the remainder into as many parts as
there were brigades, and handed a part over to each major of brigade.
The latter, on setting apart houses for the brigade staff, divided
the rest, and delivered over to the quarter-masters' of regiments,
quarters according to the strength of their respective battalions.
The quarter-masters, after providing suitable accommodation for
their regimental staff, divided the remainder, and handed the proper
proportions over to officers commanding companies, who, after providing
for themselves, and the other officers in their respective companies,
handed the other houses over to the non-commissioned officers and
privates.
When the division was to encamp, the same parties as before named
accompanied the Quarter-master-general to the ground which it was
to occupy. When the division was to remain a few days in camp, the
various battalions were formed in open column of companies at wheeling
distance, and when in line facing towards the enemy. When the space
was confined, or we were to remain but one night on the ground, the
companies were occasionally drawn up at half or quarter-distance.
The men's kitchens and other conveniences were always in rear of the
encampment. The company officers pitched their tents about thirty or
forty paces in rear of the arms. The senior major, sixty paces in
rear of the right wing; the junior major at a similar distance from
the left; and the lieutenant-colonel still farther to the rear, and
immediately opposite to the centre of the battalion.
Each battalion furnished a subaltern officer to take charge of its
own baggage on the march. Each brigade, a captain who took charge of
all the baggage of the brigade, and a field-officer was appointed to
look after the whole. When the division moved right in front, the
baggage animals of the lieutenant-general commanding the division
led the way, and were followed by those of his personal and division
staff;--then moved the baggage of the general or other officer in
command of the leading brigade, and his personal staff. After the
latter, followed that of the lieutenant-colonel commanding the leading
battalion;--then that of the regimental staff, followed by the baggage
of the grenadier officers, and the officers of the other companies in
regular succession. The baggage of the other regiments followed in
similar order. When the division moved left in front, the order of
march, as far as regarded _company baggage_ was reversed, but that of
all the other officers moved as above described. The baggage of one
corps was never permitted to intermix with that of another. At the
close of every day's march, the subaltern made a report to the captain
and his own commanding officer; the captain to the field-officer and
general commanding the brigade; and the field-officer reported to the
lieutenant-general commanding the division.
Before taking leave of this subject, I beg once more to urge on the
attention of young officers, the necessity of their applying head and
heart to their several books of instruction, if they wish to acquire a
competent knowledge of their duties, and be at all times prepared to
discharge them in a manner satisfactory to themselves, and beneficial
to their country. When we look back and reflect how very few officers
of the hundreds of thousands who have served in the British army during
the last two or three centuries, have acquired that knowledge of the
military art which qualifies an officer to form the plan of a war, we
are forced to conclude, either that but few officers ever attain so
much knowledge of their profession, or that opportunities have been
wanting to develope their abilities in this peculiar department of
their art. Now, it will be readily conceded, that there has been no
lack of opportunities, consequently, we are led to the opinion, that
the want of abilities in some, but the want of application on the part
of a much greater number, are the sole causes why so very few officers
have risen to any thing like eminence in the art of war.
I shall be told, perhaps, that it is not at all necessary that every
officer should be qualified to form the plan of a war. In this opinion
I perfectly agree: but in doing so I cannot shut my eyes to this fact,
that unless all those are able to do so, who aspire to the higher
ranks of their profession, they will, on a command of importance
being offered them, be under the necessity of declining it, or of
accepting the trust, in the full knowledge of their own incompetency
to discharge its duties. To avoid the necessity of adopting either
of those unpleasant alternatives, particularly the latter, which
might put to hazard their own reputation and the interests of their
country, nothing more is required from those officers who really
intend to make the military art their sole business through life, than
diligence and assiduity in the prosecution of their military studies.
Personal experience has very generally been considered the officer's
best instructor; yet as it is a very rare occurrence for a general to
have an opportunity of attacking an enemy twice under exactly similar
circumstances, and as the hundredth part of those accidents and changes
of position which invariably take place in battles and sieges, cannot
possibly come within the observation of one man, every officer who
wishes to discharge his duties with ability, _must of necessity add to
his own the experience of others_. This can only be accomplished by
scanning the page of history, and making himself acquainted with the
memorable actions of the most illustrious warriors of every age and
country,--a study, in the prosecution of which, the young aspirant will
discover the rocks on which so many officers have shipwrecked their
fame and fortunes, and how the more successful commanders manœuvred,
when they raised for themselves monuments of fame which will endure to
the end of time.