FORMATION OF A BATTERY.
A battery of Artillery is generally composed of six pieces of ordnance, to which a Company of Artillery is attached. The number of ammunition, forge, and store waggons varies according to the nature of the ordnance.
Section 19. Fitting of saddles, bridles, harness, &c.
Section 20. Harnessing.
Section 21. Carrying forage.
Section 22. Instruction for Drivers.
Section 23. Parade, and inspection.
The Battery, limbered up, is told off by sub-divisions, divisions, and half batteries.
| One gun and its waggon | constitute | a sub-division. |
| Two sub-divisions | ” | a division. |
| Three sub-divisions | ” | a half battery. |
The battery is numbered from right to left by sub-divisions. It is then told off into three divisions. No. 1 the right; No. 2 the centre; No. 3 the left. Sub-divisions Nos. 1, 3, and 5 are also distinguished as right sub-divisions of divisions; and Nos. 2, 4, and 6 the left; the two centre sub-divisions are also to be named. It is also told off into half batteries, and these are distinguished by right, centre, and left sub-divisions of half batteries. The gun of direction should always be named. A flank gun is generally named with a battery of four guns, and the right centre gun with a battery of six guns.
Spare carriages, with the battery, form a third, and, if necessary, a fourth line, in rear. The forge and store-waggon always in the centre, and the ammunition waggons on the flanks, covering those in the front line.
Section 24. Posts, and duties of Officers, and mounted Non-commissioned officers, &c., at exercise.
Second Captain.
In line, limbered up.—One horse’s length in rear of the centre.
In column.—Two horses’ length from the centre on the reverse flank.
In action.—He assists the Captain in general superintendence.
He dresses all points of formation, gives the word “Steady,” when they have been correctly taken up, and the formation completed. When required he commands a division.
Subalterns.
In line, limbered up.—The senior on the right of the right division; the second on the left of the left division; the junior on the right of the centre division.
In column of route.—On the pivot flanks of their leading sub-divisions.
In column of divisions.—On the pivot flanks of their respective divisions.
In column of half-batteries.—The subaltern of the centre division, on the pivot flank of the leading half battery. The others continue on the same flank of their sub-divisions as when in line.
In action.—Between the guns of their divisions, a little in rear.
They command the divisions to which they are attached, dressing in line with, and close to the leaders, and always with the guns.
In shifting from one flank to the other.—It is always along the front, and at a canter; and in joining the new sub-division, the officer always turns his horse’s head inwards.
Staff Serjeants.
In line, limbered up.—The senior on the right of the marker of the right division. The junior on the left of the marker of the left division.
In column of route.—One on the reverse flank of the leading gun; the other on the pivot flank of the rear carriage.
In column of divisions.—One between the guns of the leading, the other between the guns of the rear division.
In column of half-batteries.—On the reverse flank of the waggons of each half battery.
They take up points in changes of position. In line formations, 10 yards from the flank sub-divisions; in column formations, 10 yards in front and rear. They dress the markers when there is no staff officer; and the limbers and waggons in action.
Markers.
In line, limbered up.—In line with the leaders of the waggons, and covering their officers.
In column of route.—With their leading waggons covering their officers. (Without waggons, covering their officers, and in line with the centre horses of the gun.)
In column of divisions, and half-batteries.—They cover their officers. (Without waggons, on the reverse flank of their divisions.)
In action.—Those of the right, and centre divisions on the right of the leaders of the limbers of their right sub-divisions. The marker of the left division, on the left of the leaders of the limber of the left sub-division.
They take up points in changes of position; in line formations, for the sub-division nearest the one of formation; in column formations, for the pivot sub-division.
Farriers, and Artificers.
The farrier is generally attached to the forge; but when the battery is limbered up he is in the centre, in rear of the second captain. The other artificers are told off in the gun detachments when not mounted.
Trumpeters.
In line, limbered up.—On the right of the battery, in line with it, one horse’s length distant.
In column.—One horse’s length in front.
During manœuvres.—One with the commander; the other in rear of the battery.