1. The ground round a battery should be so obstructed as to _prevent the
enemy's cavalry from closing on it_; but in the case of a light battery,
intended for manoeuvre, so far only as this can be done without
impeding the movements of the battery itself.
2. On being threatened by cavalry, a light battery may sometimes
promptly change its position to one where the cavalry would attack it
_at great disadvantage_. For instance, if posted on an eminence, and
cavalry should attempt to carry it by charging up the slope, instead of
awaiting the charge in a position which would allow the cavalry to
recover breath, and form on the height, it might run its pieces forward
to the very brow of the slope, where the cavalry, having lost their
impetus, and with their horses blown, would be nearly helpless and
easily repulsed.
3. At a distance, the most effective fire on cavalry is with
_howitzers_, on account of the terror and confusion caused among the
horses by the bursting of the shells.
On the cavalry's flanks, when within four hundred or five hundred
yards, the fire with grape would be most effective.
4. The _last discharge_ should be of canister alone, and made by all the
pieces at once, when the battery should be swiftly withdrawn.
5. If the cavalry succeed in reaching the pieces before their
withdrawal, the gunners may find temporary refuge _under the carriages_.