5. Although, to be used offensively, guns should be in strong masses, in order to strike a decisive blow on some single point; this is by no means the case when used defensively; for,
(1.) It is only when guns are more or less scattered over different parts of the field, that they can be made to give a cross-fire on the enemy's advancing columns, or on any part of his line.
(2.) If the position where they are massed does not happen to be attacked, they become useless, while stripping the rest of the line.
(3.) If they are captured, all the artillery is lost at once, as happened to the Austrians at the battle of Leuthen, causing their defeat.
6. A certain number of pieces of horse-artillery must always be kept in reserve, so that, if an artillery fire at any point should be suddenly wanted, it may be furnished with the least possible delay.
7. Guns of various calibres should never be in the same battery, to prevent confusion as to the respective ranges, and in the supply of their ammunition.
8. An independent section or battery should never consist of howitzers alone, for the proper fire of these pieces is too slow to be effective in repulsing an attack on them.
9. There should always be wide intervals between the pieces; otherwise the battery would offer too good a mark to the enemy.
V.—How used.
[First, Generally.]
[Secondly, In Offensive Combat.]
[Thirdly, In Defensive Combat.]
[Fourthly, Against Infantry.]
[Fifthly, Against Cavalry.]
[Lastly, Against Artillery.]