Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

Second Method.—The baggage-wagons may be in line with the pieces, the interval between the left baggage-wagon and nearest piece being about 50 yards; the guard-tents half-way between the pieces and the baggage-wagons, facing to the rear; the forage-pile between the guard-tents and baggage-wagons; the men's kitchens in line with the third line of caissons, and covering the left baggage-wagon; the officers' tents on a line perpendicular to the men's tents, facing them, and on the prolongation of one of the baggage-wagons; the officers' kitchen in rear of the officers' tents, and on the prolongation of the right baggage-wagon.

Fig. 78.

If the forge-fire is to be lighted, a special place is assigned the battery-wagon and forge, sufficiently removed from the ammunition-chests for safety.

In a horse-battery two picket-lines may be used instead of one, the second line being 15 yards in rear of the first.

ENCAMPMENT OF A BATTALION OF LIGHT ARTILLERY.

On approaching the site previously selected for the encampment of the battalion the adjutant assembles the guidons, and conducts them to the camping-ground, and establishes each one at the point where the lead-team on the interior flank of his battery is to rest. After all are established he returns to the column, and indicates to each battery commander how and where his battery shall be parked.

The guidons are established with a distance between them of 94 yards (when there are two lines of carriages with 6 horses each, and the picket-line is in rear of the park), the guidon of the second battery in the column of march that day being placed at the head of the line, and so on, the guidon of the leading battery being last. The tent of the battalion commander is at a point 60 yards from the line of guidons, and on a perpendicular line passing 17 yards in rear of the second guidon, for an encampment of 2 or 3 batteries; and in a corresponding position in rear of the third guidon for an encampment of 4 batteries.

When the captain commands "Front!" after parking his battery, the guidon moves 75 yards to the rear and 30 yards to the flank, and plants his flag. This point establishes the position of the captain's tent.