Popular error ought to be corrected in regard to colours suitable for light infantry, by the plain matter of fact, that skirmishing is not in general a prowling, wolf-like proceeding, but sheer hard and open fighting; in which, indeed, the parties engaged make the best of any cover that presents itself, but in which also the flashes and smoke of firing alone present marks for reply that no tint of uniform can conceal. In concealing-cover, not the coat, but the head dress and face are seen. It is a reasonable subject of doubt whether on open ground, at a distance of six hundred or eight hundred yards, red, soiled by dust, dirt and drenching, does not mellow into a greyish-purple, as little calculated to make the man who wears it a mark as blue, black, or dark green. Take away white epaulettes, white lace, and white belts, and the red jacket itself may still continue to be, with prudence and propriety, the leading star on land of England’s high honour and prosperity.
The increased rapidity with which, to prevent ruinous destruction, troops of all kinds, when under fire, must now move for considerable distances, gives increased importance to the very plain principle, that the efficiency of a locomotive weapon of war is, in the highest degree, dependent upon the proportion of its weight to the strength of the animal that carries it. Weight of metal is of immense moment on a rampart; but lightness of heart and litheness of limb, producing sustained and easy movement and careful firing, are advantages of more importance to the soldier in the field.
These principles embrace his appointments as well as his weapons; and it may be possible, now that public attention is called to the subject, to extend their application, dependent as this is upon the public purse.
The weight of the ammunition and bayonet has hitherto, in regard to the infantry in general, been supported upon the shoulders, and that of the former concentrated on one point. It would appear very possible to divide the support between the shoulders and the waist, and to distribute it equally around. The thirty inches of space which, in general, surround the waist of the full-grown man, would allow of sixty ball-cartridges, placed side by side perpendicularly in four flat well-made pouches, one on each side before, and the same behind. These might be attached to a waist-belt clasping in front, and supported, moreover, by a few stout buttons in the coat, and by a pair of very light belts, in the general form of common braces, crossing on the back, but in front falling straight down from the shoulder without crossing, and terminating each in two points. The material for all these belts might he leather, and the colour, that very common tint reddish-brown, to assimilate with the coat.
The advantage of this arrangement would be, that, in addition to the weight being equalized, the soldier could, as he pleased, ease his shoulders by tightening the waist-belt, or ease the waist by loosing the clasp. He would be also free to throw wide open the coatee in oppressive weather, or in falling out on the line of march. Than this last, there could not perhaps be a greater relief to the practical soldier.
In a campaign, a man might conveniently carry, in addition to this ammunition, thirty rounds of gunpowder in a stout well-made flask, slung by a red strap over the shoulder, and a bag with thirty bullets, in greased patches, on the right side of his waist-belt, to balance the sword-bayonet, suspended from a frog on the left side. For long ranges, loading from the powder-flask might be safe and convenient—the cartridges would serve for closer quarters.
The present almost iron neck-band might be exchanged for the simple, neat, and durable patent Albert spring-wire stock, covered with soft leather. Possibly, also, the soldier’s house, which he carries on his back—and which, in a campaign, must be for weeks together his only shelter—his great coat, or cloak and blanket, might be made lighter by substituting superior materials. In no other way can the weight of the knapsack be much reduced.
It is certainly of immense importance to the safety and prosperity of the nation that all the foregoing subjects should be, even now, appreciated with practical closeness. Other civilized states are most active in investigation and in application. The British soldier stands cheerfully ready and willing to do his duty to the country—it is for England to do her duty to herself and to the soldier.
From this designation the author would by no means exclude any portions of the armed land-defenders of the British empire, so far as they might have claim to it by character and attainments. Let the volunteer rifle corps and militia acquire and maintain (as did the county militias during the last great war, and as have done many of the yeomanry corps since that period) that drill and discipline without which, in the hour of danger, men-at-arms are jests to their enemies and pests to their friends, and they also may with justice be classed among the soldier-like guardians of their country.
THE END.