FIELD Artillery is divided into _Battalion Guns, Artillery of the
Park_, and _Horse Artillery_.
The _Battalion Guns_ include all the light pieces attached to regiments
of the line, which they accompany in all manœuvres, to cover and
support them.
The following natures of field ordnance are attached to battalions of
infantry, by different powers in Europe:
French two 4 Prs. per battalion.
English two 6 ” ” ”
Danes two 3 ” ” ”
Austrians three 6 ” ” ”
Prussians two 6 Prs. to a battalion in the first line.
” two 3 Prs. to a battalion in the second line.
Hanoverians two 3 Prs. per battalion.
The _Artillery of the Park_ is composed of all natures of field
ordnance. It is destined to form batteries of position; that is to say,
to occupy advantageous situations, from which the greatest effect may
be produced, in supporting the general movements of an army, without
following it, like the battalion guns, through all the detail of its
manœuvres. The park of artillery attached to an army in the field
generally consists of twice as many pieces of different natures, varied
according to the country in which it is to act, as there are battalions
in the army. Gribauvale proposes the following proportion between the
different natures of artillery for the park or reserve, viz. ⅖ of 12
Prs. ⅖ of 8 Prs. and ⅗ of 4 Prs. or reserve for battalion guns. In a
difficult country he says, it may be ¼ of 12 Prs. ½ of 8 Prs. and ¼ of
4 Prs. and for every 100 pieces of cannon he allots 4 Howitzers; but
this proportion of Howitzers is much smaller than what is generally
given.
_HORSE Artillery._—The French horse artillery consists of 8 Prs. and 6
inch Howitzers.
The English of light 12 Prs. light 6 Prs. and light 5½ inch Howitzers.
The Austrian and Prussian horse artillery have 6 Prs. and 5½ inch
Howitzers.
_AMMUNITION for Field Artillery._
_A proportion of Ammunition and Stores for each
Nature of Field Ordnance, viz. 1 Med. 12 Pr.[1]—1
heavy 6 Pr.—2 light 6 Prs. as they are always
attached to Battalions of Infantry—and one 5½
inch Howitzer; according to the British Service._
=A= = _12 Pounders, Medium._
=B= = _6 Pounders, Heavy._
=C= = _2 Light 6 Pounders,_
=D= = _5½ Inch Howitzers._
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| _Proportion of Ammunition_ | =A= | =B= | =C= | =D= |
| _and Stores._ | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Shot fixed to wood bottoms—case | 24 | 30 | 68 | 24 |
| ” ” ” ” ” round | 120 | 120 | 188 | — |
|Shells fixed | — | — | — | 24 |
| ” empty | — | — | — | 120 |
|Carcasses fixed | — | — | — | 4 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| 4 lb. | 120 | — | — | — |
| 3½ ” | 24 | — | — | — |
| 2¼ ” | — | 120 | — | — |
|Cartridges of 2 ” | — | 30 | — | — |
| flannel filled 1½ ” | — | — | 188 | — |
| with powder. 1¼ ” | — | — | 68 | — |
| 10 oz. | — | — | 125 | — |
| 1 lb. | — | — | — | 144 |
| 12 oz. | — | — | — | 28 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Cartridges, flannel, empty | 12 | 12 | 100 | 12 |
|Do. of paper for burst’g 10 oz | — | — | — | 120 |
|Tubes of tin—N. P. | 172 | 178 | 560 | 190 |
|Portfires—long small | 18 | 18 | 62 | 18 |
|Fuzes—drove | — | — | — | 132 |
|Powder, mealed lbs. | — | — | — | ½ |
|Travelling carriages & limbers | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Aprons of lead | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Spunges, with staves and heads | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Wad hooks, with staves | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Handspikes—traversing | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Tampions, with collars | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Trucks—Hanoverian | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Straps for lashing side arms | — | 3 | 8 | — |
| Tarpaulins—gun | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” limber | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Linstocks, with cocks | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Drag ropes, with pins—Prs. | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Padlocks, with keys | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Match—slow—lbs. | 28 | 28 | 56 | 28 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Spikes Spring | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Common | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Punches for vents | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Barrels budge | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Couples for chain traces | — | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| Spare heads—spunge | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” —rammer | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Hammers, claw | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Priming irons—sets | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Draught chains—pairs | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Powder horns—N. P. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Water buckets—French | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Entrench’g tools—axes, felling | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” ” pick | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” handbills | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” spades | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Marline, tarred—skeins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Twine, ” —do. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Hambro’ line —do. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Packthread —lbs. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Grease firkins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ” boxes | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Tallow lbs. | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Lanthorns, dark | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jacks, lifting | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ” handscrew | 1 | — | — | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Waggons with hoops and | | | | |
| painted covers, | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Flanders pattern | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Wad miltilts | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Tanned hides | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Men’s harness 12 to a set sets | 1 | 1 | — | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| New |Rope (6 do.) sets | 1 | — | — | — |
| pattern |Chain (6 do.) sets | — | 1 | — | — |
|H H |Trace (4 do.) sets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|o a Common | Thill | — | — | 2 | — |
|r r pattern | Trace | — | — | 4 | — |
|s n | Bit halters | — | — | 6 | — |
|e e Wanties | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| s Hemp halters | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| s | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Whips, long | — | — | 2 | — |
| ” , short | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Nose bags | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Corn sacks | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Forage cords, sets | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Rope, tarred—2 inch, fathoms | — | — | 10 | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Linch pins | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Clouts—body | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| For waggons ” —linch | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Clout nails, 6d. | 64 | 32 | 32 | 64 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Spare ladle staves | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Horses, for guns | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| ” , for waggons | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
|Drivers, for guns | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| ” , for waggons | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
|Tube boxes, with straps | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Portfire sticks | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Cutting knives | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|Drawing do. | — | — | — | 1 |
|Scissars, pairs | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|Worsted, ounces | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ |
|Needles, large | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Cartouches of leather | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| 4 oz. | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Copper 2 ” | — | 1 | — | — |
| measures 1 ” | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| for powder. 4 lbs. to ¼ oz. | — | — | — | 1 |
| sets | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Thumb stalls | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Perpendicular | — | — | — | 1 |
|Quadrant of brass | — | — | — | 1 |
|Diagonal scale | — | — | — | 1 |
|Copper salting box | — | — | — | 1 |
|Pincers for draw’g fuzes, pairs | — | — | — | 1 |
|Sheepskins | — | — | — | 2 |
|Funnels of copper | — | — | — | 1 |
|Compasses of steel, pairs | — | — | — | 1 |
|Saw, tenant | — | — | — | 1 |
|Files, square | — | — | — | 3 |
|Rasps, half round | — | — | — | 2 |
|Flax, oz. | — | — | — | 8 |
|Tow, oz. | — | — | — | 4 |
|Saw set | — | — | — | 1 |
|Mallets of wood | — | — | — | 1 |
|Setters do. | — | — | — | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
[1] The 12 Prs. which have a small box on their limbers, carry 6 round
shot and 2 case shot, with 6 cartridges of 4 lbs. and 2 of 3 1-2 lbs.
of powder, more than the above proportion.
This proportion of ammunition and stores is carried in
the following manner:
12 Pr. } Has no limber boxes,[2] but has two waggons
MEDIUM, } attached to it, and the ammunition and stores
} divided between them.
6 Pr. } Carries 36 round, and 14 case shot in limber
HEAVY, } boxes, with a proportion of the small stores;
} and the remainder is carried in one waggon.
} Carries 34 round, and 16 case shot on the limber,
6 Pr } with a proportion of the small stores for
LIGHT, } immediate service; and, if acting separately,
} must have a waggon attached to it, to carry the
} remainder. But two 6 pounders, attached to a
} battalion, have only one waggon between them.
} Has 22 shells, 4 case shot, and two carcasses in
5½ HOW’R } the limber boxes, with such of the small stores
LIGHT, } as are required for immediate service; and has
} two waggons attached to carry the rest.
One common pattern ammunition waggon carries the following numbers of
rounds of ammunition of each nature:
| No. of
Nature. | Rounds
-------------------+--------
12 Prs. Medium. | 72
6 Prs. Heavy. | 120
6 Prs. Light. | 156
3 Prs. | 288
5½ How’r. | 72
8 Inch How’r. | 24
Musquet. | 20000[3]
The waggons, however, attached to the different parks of artillery in
England, which have not been altered from the old establishment, are
loaded with only the following number, and drawn by three horses:
[2] A small limber box has lately been added to the medium 12 Prs.
which carries 6 round shot and 6 case shot, with a small proportion of
the small stores. See note page 11.
[3] Though the waggons will contain 20,000 cartridges, it is customary
to load them with only 18 half barrels of 1000 each, and 2 half barrels
of flints.
| No. of
Nature. | Rounds
-----------------+--------
12 Prs. Medium. | 66
6 Prs. Heavy. | 120
6 Prs. Light. | 138
5½ How’r. | 60
The horse artillery having waggons of a particular description, carry
their ammunition as follows:
+----------------------------+------------+-------+----------+------+
| | Shot. | | |Total |
| +------+-----+ | | No. |
| |Round.|Case.|Shells.|Carcasses.| with |
| | | | | | each |
| | | | | |Piece.|
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|12 Prs. light, on the limber| 12 | 4 | 4 | — | 92 |
|Do. ” ” in one waggon| 52 | 10 | 10 | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|6 Prs. light, on the limber | 32 | 8 | — | — | 150 |
|Do. in one waggon | 97 | 13 | — | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|5½ In. How’r on the limber| — | 5 | 13 | — | 73 |
|Do. in one waggon | — | 10 | 41 | 4 | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|3 Prs. heavy, curricle | 6 | 6 | — | — | 136 |
|Do. ammunition cart| 100 | 24 | — | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
_The following Proportion of Artillery, Ammunition, and Carriages,
necessary for four French Armies of different Degrees of Strength, and
acting in very different Countries, is attributed to_ GRIBAUVALE, _and
is extracted from_ DURTUBIE, _on_ Artillery.
=(A)= = _Flanders._
=(B)= = _Moselle._
=(C)= = _Rhine._
=(D)= = _Italy._
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| _ARMIES._ | =(A)= | =(B)= | =(C)= | =(D)= |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Number of battalions | 80 | 28 | 32 | 48 |
| +-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Battalion guns | 160 | 56 | 64 | 94 |
+----------+------------------+ | | | |
| | 12 Prs. | 32 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
| Park or | 8 Prs. | 72 | 24 | 32 | 48 |
| Reserve | 4 Prs. | 40 | 16 | 16 | 24 |
| | 6 Inch Howitzers| 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
+----------+------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total pieces of ordnance | 312 | 112 | 128 | 192 |
+---------------+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Carriage for |12 Prs. | 36 | 14 | 14 | 18 |
| the ordnance | 8 Prs. | 81 | 27 | 36 | 54 |
| including | 4 Prs. | 215 | 78 | 90 | 129 |
| spare ones | 6 In. How’r.| 9 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
+---------------+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total ordnance carriages | 341 | 124 | 145 | 210 |
+-----------+-----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| | 12 Prs. | 96 | 36 | 36 | 48 |
|Ammunition | 8 Prs. | 144 | 48 | 64 | 96 |
| waggons | 4 Prs. | 200 | 72 | 80 | 120 |
| | 6 In. How’r. | 24 | 12 | 8 | 24 |
+-----------+-----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Waggons for musq. cartridges | 120 | 42 | 48 | 72 |
|Large Waggons for the park | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| +-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total ammunition waggons | 594 | 216 | 241 | 368 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Smiths forges Large | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Small | — | 3 | 3 | 4 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total forges | 14 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
+------------------+----------+-------+-------+--------+------+
|Waggons| Intrench-|Artillery | 27 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
| for | ing tools|The army | 20 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
| | for | | | | | |
+-------+----------+----------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| | New Iron | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| | Wood for spr. | | | | |
| Carri-| carri’gs | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| ages +---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| for | Anchors, &c. for | | | | |
| | pontoons | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total store carriages | 66 | 28 | 32 | 49 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
|Pontoons upon their carriages| 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 |
|Spare pontoon carriages | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total pontoon carriages | 40 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
| _RECAPITULATION._ | | | | |
| | | | | |
|Ordnance——pieces | 312 | 112 | 128 | 192 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| | Ordnance carriages | 341 | 124 | 145 | 210 |
|Carri- | Ammunition | 594 | 216 | 241 | 368 |
| ages | Store | 66 | 28 | 32 | 49 |
| | Pontoon | 40 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| | Forges | 14 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| General total of carriages | 1055 | 394 | 144 | 679 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
This table contains, beside the proportion of ordnance with each army,
also the quantity of ammunition with each piece of ordnance, and the
number of rounds of musquet ammunition carried for the infantry; for
each waggon in the French Service, having its particular allotment of
ammunition and stores, it needs but to know the number of waggons of
each description, to ascertain the quantity of ammunition and stores
with an army. The following is the number of waggons usually attached
to each piece of field ordnance in the French Service, and the quantity
of ammunition carried with each.
+--------------------------------+------------+---------- +
|Nature of Ordnance and | Shot. |Total with |
| Number of waggons +------+-----+each piece.|
| attached to each. |Round.|Case.| |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|12 Pr. on the carriage | 9 | — | |
|3 Waggons—each containing | 48 | 20 | 213 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|8 Pr. on the carriage | 9 | — | |
|2 Waggons—each containing | 62 | 30 | 193 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|4 Pr. on the carriage | 18 | — | |
|One waggon—containing | 100 | 50 | 168 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|6 Inch howitzer—on the carriage | — | 4 | |
|3 Waggons—each containing |shell | | 160 |
| | 49 | 3 | |
+--------------------------------+------+-----------------+
The French horse artillery waggon, called the _wurst_, carries 57
rounds for 8 pounders; or 30 for 6 inch howitzers.
The following is a proportion of ammunition for one piece of field
artillery of each nature, by different powers in Europe.
--------+------------+------------+------------+------------+
Nature. | Austrians | Prussians | Danes. |Hanoverians.|
+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+
|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|
--------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+
3 Pr. | 40 | 184 | 20 | 90 | 58 | 177 | 50 | 150 |
6 ” | 36 | 176 | 30 | 150 | 53 | 166 | 48 | 144 |
12 ” | 44 | 94 | 20 | 130 | 44 | 128 | 50 | 150 |
Howitzer| 16 | 90 | 20 | 60 | 25 | 76 | 30 | 120 |
--------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+
_Of the Movements and Positions of Field Artillery._
_BATTALION Guns._—The following are the usual positions taken by
battalion guns, in the most essential manœuvres of the battalion to
which they are attached; but the established regulations for the
movements of the infantry in the British Service, take so little notice
of the relative situations for the artillery attached to it, that there
is no authority for a guide on the subject. _In review_, both guns are
to be placed, when, in line, on the right of the regiment; unlimbered
and prepared for action. The guns 10 yards apart, and the left gun
10 yards from the right of the grenadiers. Nos. 7 and 8 dress in line
with the front rank of the regiment. The officer, at open order, will
be in front of the interval between his guns, and in line with the
officers of the regiment. When the regiment breaks into column, the
guns will be limbered up and wheel by pairs to the left: the men form
the line of march, and the officer marches round in front of the guns.
In the review of a single battalion, it is usual after marching round
the second time, for one of the guns to go to the rear, and fall in at
the rear of the column. Upon the regiment wheeling on the left into
line, the guns, if separated, will be unlimbered to the right, but if
they are both upon the right, they must be wheeled to the right, and
then unlimbered; and afterwards run up by hand, as thereby they do not
interfere with the just formation of the line, by obstructing the view
of the pivots.
The usual method by which the guns take part in the firings while in
line, is by two discharges from each piece, previous to the firing of
the regiment; but this is usually regulated by the commanding officer,
before the review. Though the guns when in line with a regiment in
review, always remain in the intervals; in other situations of more
consequence, every favorable spot which presents itself, from which the
enemy can be more effectually annoyed, should be taken advantage of.
In column, if advancing, the guns must be in front; if retreating, in
the rear of the column. If in open column of more than one battalion,
the guns in the center must be between the divisions, and when the
column is closed, these guns must move to the outward flank of that
division of the column, which leads the regiment to which they are
attached. In changing front, or in forming the line from column, should
the guns be on that flank of the battalion on which the new line is to
be formed, they will commence firing to cover the formation.
In retiring by alternate wings or divisions, the guns must be always
with that body nearest the enemy. That is, they will not retire with
the first half, but will remain in their position till the second half
retires; and will then only retire to the flanks of the first half; and
when it retires again, the guns will retire likewise, but only as far
as the second half, and so on.
When in hollow square, the guns will be placed at the weakest angles,
and the limbers in the center of the square. In passing a bridge or
defile in front, the guns will be the first to pass; unless from any
particular position they can more effectually _enfilade_ the _defilé_;
and thereby better open the passage for the infantry. But in retiring
through a _defilé_, the guns will remain to the last, to cover the
retreat.
_GENERAL RULE._—With very few variations, the guns should attend in
all the movements of the battalion, that division of it, to which they
are particularly attached; and every attention should be paid in thus
adapting the movements of the guns to those of the regiment, that they
be not entangled with the divisions of the line, and never so placed
as to obstruct the view of the pivots, and thereby the just formation
of the line; but should always seek those positions, from which the
enemy can be most annoyed, and the troops to which they are attached,
protected.
If at any time the battalion guns of several regiments should be united
and formed into brigades, their movements will then be the same as
those for the artillery of the park.
_Artillery of the Park._
The artillery of the park is generally divided into brigades of 4 or 6
pieces, and a reserve, according to the force and extent of the front
of an army. The reserve must be composed of about ⅙ of the park, and
must be placed behind the first line. If the front of the army be
extensive, the reserve must be divided.
The following are the principal rules for the movements and positions
of the brigades of artillery: they are mostly translated from the _Aide
Memoire_, a new military work.
In a _defensive_ position, the guns of the largest caliber must be
posted in those points, from whence the enemy can be discovered at the
greatest distance, and from which may be seen the whole extent of his
front.
In an _offensive_ position, the weakest points of the line must be
strengthened by the largest calibers; and the most distant from the
enemy: those heights on which the army in advancing may rest its
flanks, must be secured by them, and from which the enemy may be fired
upon obliquely.
The guns should be placed as much as possible under cover; this is
easily done upon heights, by keeping them so far back that the muzzles
are only to be seen over them: by proper attention many situations may
be found of which advantage may be taken for this purpose, such as
banks, ditches, &c. every where to be met with.
A BATTERY in the field should never be discovered by the enemy till the
very moment it is to open. The guns may be masked by being a little
retired; or by being covered by troops, particularly cavalry.
To enable the commanding officer of artillery to choose the proper
positions for his field batteries, he should of course be made
acquainted, with the effect intended to be produced; with the troops
that are to be supported; and with the points that are to be attacked;
that he may place his artillery so as to support, but not incommode
the infantry; nor take up such situations with his guns, as would be
more advantageously occupied by the line. That he may not place his
batteries too soon, nor too much exposed; that he may cover his front
and his flanks, by taking advantage of the ground; and that he may not
venture too far out of the protection of the troops, unless some very
decided effect is to be obtained thereby.
The guns must be so placed as to produce a cross fire upon the position
of the enemy, and upon all the ground which he must pass over in an
attack.
They must be separated into many small batteries, to divide the fire of
the enemy; while the fire from all these batteries, may at any time be
united to produce a decided effect against any particular points.
These points are the _débouchés_ of the enemy, the heads of their
columns, and the weakest points in the front. In an attack of the
enemy’s position, the cross fire of the guns must become _direct_,
before it can impede the advance of the troops; and must annoy the
enemy’s positions nearest to the point attacked, when it is no longer
safe to continue the fire upon that point itself.
The shot from artillery should always take an enemy in the direction of
its greatest dimension; it should therefore take a line obliquely or in
flank, but a column in front.
The artillery should never be placed in such a situation, that it can
be taken by an enemy’s battery obliquely, or in flank, or in the rear;
unless a position under these circumstances, offers every prospect of
producing a most decided effect, before the guns can be destroyed or
placed _hors de combat_.
The most elevated positions are not the best for artillery, the
greatest effects may be produced from a height of 30 or 40 yards at the
distance of about 600 and about 16 yards of height to 200 of distance.
Positions in the rear of the line are bad for artillery, because they
alarm the troops, and offer a double object to the fire of the enemy.
Positions which are not likely to be shifted; but from whence an effect
may be produced during the whole of an action, are to be preferred; and
in such positions a low breast work of 2 or 3 feet high may be thrown
up, to cover the carriages.
Artillery should never fire against artillery, unless the enemy’s
troops are covered, and his artillery exposed; or unless your troops
suffer more from the fire of his guns, than his troops do from yours.
Never abandon your guns till the last extremity. The last discharges
are the most destructive; they may perhaps be your salvation, and crown
you with glory.
The parks of artillery in Great Britain are composed of the following
ordnance; 4 medium 12 pounders; 4 desaguliers 6 pounders; and 4 light
5½ inch howitzers.
_The following is the proposed line of march for the three Brigades
when acting with different Columns of Troops, as settled, in 1798._
12 Pounders. | 6 Pounders. | Howitzers.
-----------------+------------------+----------------
4 Guns. | 4 Guns. | 4 Howitzers.
| |
8 Ammunition | 4 Ammunition | 8 Ammunition
Waggons. | Waggons. | Waggons.
| |
1 Forge Cart. | 1 Forge Cart. | 1 Forge Cart.
| |
1 Store Waggon, | 1 Store Waggon. | 1 Store Waggon.
with a small | |
proportion of | |
stores and | |
spare articles.| |
| |
1 Spare Waggon. | 1 Spare Waggon. | 1 Spare Waggon.
| |
1 Waggon to | 1 Waggon for | 1 Waggon with
carry bread | bread and | bread and
and oats. | oats. | oats.
| |
2 Waggons with | 2 Waggons with | 2 Waggons with
musquet ball | musquet ball | musquet ball
cartridges. | cartridges. | cartridges.
-----------------+------------------+----------------
18 Total | 14 Total. | 18 Total.