The artillerist's manual and British soldier's compendium

by F. A. Griffiths

5. No positive rule can be laid down for all cases, with respect to the ammunition waggons in presence of an enemy: this must depend on a variety of circumstances; but in general it will be found expedient to place them under charge of an officer, who will conform to the movements of the main body, in such a manner and at such distance, as to enable him to supply the guns with ammunition, before that which is in the limbers is expended.

6. The spot selected for a battery should be one which does not present any obstacles to the ulterior movements.

7. The most elevated situations are not the best; the greatest effect may be produced at a distance of six hundred yards, from a height of thirty or forty yards; and at two hundred yards distance from a height of sixteen.

8. Round shot should be used from three hundred yards, upwards. The use of case should begin at three hundred, and the quickness of fire increase as the range diminishes.

9. Double charges of case may be used at one hundred and fifty or one hundred and sixty yards. Shrapnell shells should not be used at a less range than six hundred and fifty yards.

10. The guns should never be abandoned till the last extremity; the last discharges are the most destructive.

On the march.

1. Intelligent non-commissioned officers should be sent to reconnoitre a road or ground that artillery is to pass over, and, when necessary, to report the state of it. When the march is connected with military operations, an officer should always be employed for this duty.

2. The officers of divisions should frequently halt, to see that their carriages are marching in proper order, and are well up.

3. The strictest attention should constantly be paid to the correct preservation of distances, the loss of which may be made up by small bodies of artillery; but when in large bodies, or when acting with infantry, the operation is attended with serious disadvantage, particularly to the latter; it is a point, therefore, which cannot be too strongly insisted upon, being one of most essential consequence.