107 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
BY 
MAJOR E. S. MAY, R.A. 
PART YII. 
Recent Experiences and Conclusion. 
Since the war which we last dealt with, Field Artillery has had no 
opportunity of distinguishing itself on anything like a large scale 
in Europe, and although there have been numerous wars abroad, some 
of which, such as that in Afghanistan and the Egyptian campaign of 
1882, called large numbers on both sides into the field, the employ¬ 
ment of guns, owing to one cause or another, has been such, that but 
little except on a small scale has been accomplished. Yet, as regards 
our own wars at least, it may be safely asserted that the discipline, 
bravery, and efficiency displayed by our batteries, under circumstances 
often more trying than any European soldiers have ever been called 
upon to face, has been equal to anything which the mighty conflicts 
we have been dealing with called forth. 
If in these pages we were merely recounting a history of gallant 
feats, they might justly be studded with the names of individuals, and 
the deeds of small detachments of the arm would again and again have 
to be recorded. In every one of our small wars guns and gunners have 
merited substantial praise, occasionally individuals have even gained 
brilliant distinction, and it is no small satisfaction to the Royal Artillery 
that on at least two notable occasions, 1 when disaster such as we 
have rarely had to face fell on our arms, artillerymen, by their 
excellent discipline and staunch courage, were able to materially assist 
in averting complete ruin, and that the larger share of the few laurels 
that were borne home from those sad fields was admittedly theirs. 
Since, however, we are chronicling only achievements on such a scale 
as may instruct us with regard to the tactics of the arm in civilised 
and methodical warfare, and have regarded the subject as it is studied 
amongst continental soldiers, we can scarcely stay to examine per¬ 
formances affected under conditions which, viewed from this standpoint, 
1 The manner in which the Horse Artillery (E/B., now 58th Field Battery), under Captain (now 
Colonel) J. R. Slade behaved during the retreat from Maiwand, and the conduct of two guns of 
N/5 (now 2nd Battery 1st Depot Division) at Ingogo, are the instances referred to. With 
reference to this latter engagement there appears to be little doubt that but for the gallant stand 
made by the artillery, nobly assisted by some of the 60th Rifles, who, when the detachments had 
been much cut up, lent their aid to work the guns, the attack of the Boers would have been pressed 
home with the same vigour and success as it was subsequently at the Amajuba Mountain. 
Captain Greer, R.A., was killed about 1.30 o’clock, and then Lieutenent (now Major) C. S. B. 
Parsons, the only other officer with them, continued to fight the guns till dark, although severely 
wounded himself—the casualties amounted, in addition to those already specified amongst the 
officers, to 14 horses of 27, and 16 men out of 27. 
2. yol. xx. 
