A Troop is proposed to consist of three divisions.
Each division to be divided into two sub-divisions.
Each sub-division to consist of five sections of three men each, and
two drivers leading four ammunition horses, each mounted man carrying
into action four rounds of 12-pounder Rocket ammunition, and each
ammunition horse eighteen rounds; thus:
Each section carries 12 rounds of ammunition into action, and one
bouche a feù, and, consequently, each sub-division will have five
bouches a feù, and 140 rounds of ammunition: so that the whole troop,
consisting of six of those sub-divisions, will amount to 102 mounted
men, and 24 ammunition horses, and will take into action, without any
wheel carriage, 30 bouches a feù, and 840 rounds of ammunition.
It is, however, further proposed to attach to each division two Rocket
cars, one heavy and one light, the first carrying four men with 40
rounds of 24-pounder Rockets, armed with cohorn shells, the latter
carrying two men, and 60 rounds of 12-pounder ammunition. Each of these
cars is capable of discharging two Rockets in a volley.
It is proposed, also, to attach to each sub-division a curricle
ammunition cart, or tumbril, for two horses, to carry, in line of
march, three rounds out of four of each mounted man’s Rockets, to
ease the horse: and, in action, when every man carries his full
complement of ammunition on horseback, these cars may contain a reserve
of 60 rounds more for each sub-division, making the whole amount of
ammunition, for each sub-division, 200 rounds. With this addition,
therefore, the whole strength of the Rocket troop will stand thus:
Officers 5
Non-commissioned Officers 15
Troopers 90
Drivers 60
Artificers 8
Cars, heavy 3
Cars, light 3
Curricle ammunition carts, or tumbrils 6
Bouches a feù 42
Ammunition, heavy shell 260
Ammunition, light shell, or case shot 1200
Making a total of
Ammunition of all sorts 1460 rounds.
Battery of 42 bouches a feù.
Cars, tumbrils, and forge cart 13
Officers, staff artificers, troopers, and drivers 172
Troop, ammunition, and draft horses 164
The number of sections in a sub-division may vary according to the
actual effective strength of the troop at any time; so that the
distribution may be accommodated to the numbers, without departing from
this principle of constitution. The number of men and horses above
stated is precisely the same as that of a troop of horse artillery.
The reserve of ammunition is supposed to proceed with the park.