1. It is an important rule that artillery should play on the enemy's
_troops_, without attending to his batteries, except in urgent cases.
2. Against a _deployed line_, whether marching by the front or by a
flank, case-shot, that is, grape, canister, and spherical case
(sometimes called _shrapnel_), are most suitable; as these all scatter,
right and left, to a considerable distance.
The best effect of canister is within two hundred yards. Beyond three
hundred and fifty yards, it should not be used.
The best effect of grape is within four hundred yards. Over six hundred
yards, it is not very effective.
Spherical case is effective at much greater distances, its range being
nearly equal to that of solid shot.
Against a line of infantry at a greater distance than six hundred yards,
spherical case should be used, chiefly, if not exclusively; as being
more likely to be effective than ball.
3. But case-shot are _unsuitable against a column_, as they consist of a
number of small balls which have not momentum enough to penetrate into
it to any depth. When the enemy advances in columns, solid shot should
plough through them from head to rear, a cross-fire being obtained upon
them when possible.
4. Especially should _round-shot_ be used against a close column rushing
to attack us through a defile. Grape and canister might sweep down the
leading ranks, but the mass of the column sees not the destructive
effect; and being carried forward by the pressure of the ranks behind,
continues to rush on till the battery is carried, though with more or
less loss.
At the battle of Seven Pines, on one occasion, when the rebels were
advancing in close columns, they were plied with grape and canister from
two of our batteries with but little effect. Every discharge made wide
gaps in their leading ranks, but these were instantly filled again, and
the columns pressed on.
A round-shot, on the other hand, comes shrieking and tearing its way
through the entire column, carrying destruction to the very rear-most
ranks. The hesitation produced is not limited to the leading ranks, but
extends throughout the column. Thus both the actual and the moral effect
of ball on a close column is much superior to that of grape or canister.
At the bridge of Lodi, the Austrian gunners plied the French column
with grape. If they had used round-shot instead, it is doubtful whether
Bonaparte would have succeeded in carrying the bridge.
5. But a direct fire with ball on the head of a column of attack would
be much assisted by the fire of a few light pieces taking it _in flank_.
And, for this fire in flank, case-shot would be powerfully effective;
for, from their wide scattering, both their actual and their moral
effects would extend through the whole column, from front to rear.
6. A battery with _guns enough to keep up a continuous fire_ has little
to fear from an open attack on it by infantry alone. Napoleon observed
that no infantry, without artillery, can march one thousand yards on a
battery of sixteen guns, well directed and served; for, before clearing
two-thirds of the way, they will have been all killed, wounded, or
dispersed.
This remark was made in reference to smooth-bore guns; the new rifled
guns should be still more destructive.
7. _Against skirmishers_, as they offer but a poor mark for ball, grape
and canister should alone be used.