The whole face towards the gun; 11 unchains the limber; 12 and 13 lift
the trail off the pin tail, and set it on the ground, in which they
are assisted, as in limbering up, by 7, 8, 9, and 10; 11 ships the
traversing handspike, and the whole assume the position for action. The
limber is led by 15, and the driver, 25 yards to the rear, and there
turned to the left about. The leading horse is unhooked by the driver,
and tied to the rear of the limber.
_Heavy Field Guns, and Howitzers._—The same as the light ones, except
that 9 and 10 assist 12 and 13 to raise the trail, and 14 and 15 stand
to the gun wheels. The heavy guns have generally mounted riders, in
which case the leading horses are not unhooked.
It must be understood, that simply to _limber up_, or to _unlimber_,
means that the gun is to be placed upon its limber, or lifted off,
without changing its direction; but guns may be limbered up to the
_front_, to the _right_, or to the _left_, according as it is intended
to advance in any one of those directions; and unlimbered to the _rear_
to prepare for action to the _front_, to the _left_ for action to the
_right_, and to the _right_ for action to the _left_. To limber up, or
to unlimber, in any of these situations, is exactly the same as those
already given, except that in the first, previous to limbering up, the
trail is thrown round by No. 11, assisted by 12, if necessary, into the
direction specified by the word of command, and the limber is brought
up to that side to meet it; and in the second, the trail, after being
taken off the limber, is carried round to the _rear_, _right_, or
_left_, according as the word of command expresses, before it is put to
the ground, and the limber goes round to the rear of the gun.
It must be here remarked, that the _front_ of a gun, or line of guns,
or column of guns, is that to which the men at the gun front, without
any respect to the situation of the gun or carriage. The trail of
the carriage, when moved round to the rear or the contrary, whether
in limbering up or unlimbering, must always be carried round to the
_right_, and the limber, or a horse, when brought up to advance or
retire a gun, must always be brought up on the _right_ side, and go
off on the _left_; and whenever the limber is turned about, it must be
to the _left_ about. By attending to these precautions the greatest
confusion is avoided.
_Other Methods of advancing Guns._
5. The gun being in the position for action, _prepares to advance
slow_; 7 and 8 step outwards, 3 yards; 9 and 10 place themselves in
line with the axletree, leaving room for 12 and 13, (who each bring a
drag rope from 14) to pass between them and the wheels; 12 and 15 as
they pass give the chain ends of the drag ropes to 9 and 10, who hook
them to the washers; 12 and 13 man the Front pins, 7 and 8 the center,
and 9 and 10 the rear.
This is only practised with light guns.
_Prepare for Action._—7, 8, 9, and 10 quit their pins; 12 and 13 go to
the rear; 9 and 10, as soon as 12 and 13 have passed them, unhook the
drag ropes; 12 and 13 carry them to 14; 13 gets his ammunition.