ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
11 
to Central Asia to take G-eok Tepe, wliere others had failed, tile one 
point on which he insisted was that he should have plenty of Field 
Artillery. His force for that campaign consisted of 7000 men and over 
60 guns —about 9 per thousand—although he had a desert to march 
over, and the railway had not then been made. 1 2 
At Lovtcha (September the 3rd), when 22,000 Russians attacked 
15,000 Turks in a well entrenched position, the artillery cannonade 
lasted from 5 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and the assault which was then 
delivered by the infantry was completely successful. Skobeleff, who 
commanded the strong advanced guard that opened the attack, had 
the night before carefully prepared epaulments for his guns, and the 
instructions he drew up for the guidance of the troops in the impending 
operations display a clear conception of the duties and relative im¬ 
portance at various stages of the several arms. 
,f During the first part of the action which is imminent, the pre¬ 
ponderating role belongs to the artillery. Battalion leaders will be 
instructed how it is intended to make the attack, and, at the same time, 
they will be enjoined to direct their advance in such a manner as not 
to interfere with the concentration of fire from the artillery. When 
the infantry move forward to the assault it will be supported to the 
fullest possible extent by the fire of the batteries. Great vigilance is 
absolutely necessary, and particular care is to be taken to accelerate 
fire should the enemy unmask any reserves, while, if the attacking body 
meet with any obstacle, it is to be poured in with the utmost possible 
vigour. When the range allows of it the entrenchments and troops of 
the enemy are to be fired on with shrapnel. The infantry must be 
careful to avoid confusion in the struggle, and distinguish between the 
forward movement and the assault. And never let it forget the sacred 
duty of aiding its comrades, no matter what sacrifice may be entailed 
in doing so. Let no cartridge be wasted. Remember how difficult 
the nature of the country renders the supply of ammunition. Again, 
let me impress on my infantry the necessity for order and silence during 
the fight. Do not cry “ hurrah 33 till you are near the enemy and 
about to close on him with the bayonet. 
I wish to remind all soldiers that while losses during a bold advance 
are at a minimum, a retreat, especially if it be a disorderly one, is invari¬ 
ably accompanied with much bloodshed. - ” 3 
Skobeleff could not, however, be everywhere himself, and even at 
Lovtcha many of the errors which disfigured the Russian artillery 
tactics at Plevna were also to be found. 
From the earlier months of the war, too, we may find here and there 
instances of artillery detachments doing good service, and Major- 
General Brackenbury, an artillery officer who had an unique experience 
in the observation of modern war, since he had been present at the 
chief events of 1866, 1870, and 1877—78, especially mentions a 
small affair during Gourko's passage of the Balkans, when 3000 Turks, 
entrenched before the village of Uflani, checked the advance of the 
1 See a lecture on “ Field Artillery,” by the late Major-General C. B. Brackenbury. 
2 Krahmer’s “ Russo-Turkish War.” Vol. I., page 55. 
