386 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
as a contribution to tlie History of the Regiment. For the remarks at the 
end of the paper (on training) I alone am responsible.* 
It may fairly be asked here, has not the study of our Regimental History 
been greatly neglected ? Are our men worse drilled than they were in 1803 ? 
Is the projectile of which we are treating itself inferior ? Has the race 
deteriorated,—that is to say, have we less of the coolness, and fewer of the 
good qualities required in the artilleryman, than we had formerly ? That 
there has been no falling off in the quality is evident from recent occurrences. 
Tor example, one of our brother officers, writing in 1857, recommends for 
distinction, not one, but a large number of men of his battery, for exhibiting 
under many trying circumstances, “ peculiar, cool, artillery courage.” On 
another occasion, a magazine having been blown up in a siege work, 
rendering for the moment all the guns in the battery but one, unserviceable, 
and drawing upon it a heavy fire from the Russians—that one gun was 
worked as coolly as if nothing had happened, evincing as the despatch 
of the 21st April, 1855, expressed, “the coolest judgment and most 
determined gallantry.” 
In an introductory notice it is quite unnecessary to multiply instances of 
the existence of this soldier-like quality of “ cool judgment ” amongst us. 
It abounded formerly, and we may reasonably hope it will not be wanting 
in future. 
The question of the projectile may be dismissed at once. 
A remark may be made however in passing, respecting the manner of 
carrying on the annual practice and drilling. Is the firing over smooth 
sands or water sufficient for all purposes of instruction ? Is the quickness 
of laying guns and fixing fuzes, at preliminary drills, as much considered as 
it ought to be ? and, in fact, as a-rule, is not the practice made too easy ? 
On service the conditions of practice may be these: range unknown— 
atmosphere murky—country open, like the Downs, or enclosed like Devon¬ 
shire—surface soft or hard—smooth, undulating, or rugged—view concealed 
by brushwood, or standing crops—sight disturbed by wind, rain, snow, dust 
or smoke—wheels out of level—noise, confusion, everything hurried. 
In peace, as a general rule, the practice is carried on quietly and under the 
most favourable conditions for sending in a good “ Range Report.” This is 
to be commended as far as it goes, but should be regarded as recruits 
practice, which requires to be supplemented by work over undulating or 
broken ground, the firing occasionally as rapid as possible. 
At any rate, whatever may be considered the most suitable projectile for 
field artillery, let there be no doubt on the subject. The gunner must know 
by experience what he can, or cannot do, at various ranges, conditions of 
ground and targets : what to undertake with reasonable prospect of success, 
and when from difficulties of ground, or other cause, his fire should be with¬ 
held. Thorough training is worth any expense; an ignorant artilleryman is 
only in the way; and when all our means of instruction are exhausted, we 
* The Committee have been compelled^ most reluctantly, to omit this portion, owing to the 
great expense of publishing it with adequate illustrations; but they hope that the recommendation 
they have made on the subject may lead to its publication by Government.—A. H. 
