442 
R.A.I. PRIZE ESSAY, 1876 . 
hinder the manoeuvres of its own cavalry, that side, in an extensive and 
otherwise evenly matched cavalry engagement, which is able to establish 
an artillery superiority, and to apply a portion of it in the second or 
flanking role discussed above, must defeat the successive dispositions of 
the other, must drive it into retreat—becoming the more headlong in 
proportion to the amount of its distance in advance of its own army'— 
must destroy the other’s screening power whilst preserving its own, 
and may succeed, by the opportune co-operation of one surplus horse 
artillery battery, in rending the “ strategic veil ” of the enemy beyond 
repair for the campaign. 
The special action of the horse artillery attached to the cavalry has 
generally been distributed under the following heads 
1. Covering the deployment of the cavalry. 
2. Preparing the place for its attack. 
8. Preventing the overthrown enemy from rallying. 
4. Covering the retreat of its own cavalry, if unsuccessful. 
And the principal changes introduced to accommodate the new powers 
of the arm have been, increased independence of manoeuvre and of 
selection of position—which is to be exercised more rarely but on a 
much larger scale than formerly. But to the above heads a new one 
may now be added, viz.:— 
5. Attacking the enemy’s disposition, by means of artillery fire, 
under the protection of cavalry. 
That is to say that, under circumstances favorable to artillery fire, 
this latter will be the principal consideration. In the old days the 
mutual relations between these two arms were held to be analagous to 
those existing between the musket and bayonet. The relations of 
these latter, by the intense development of the power of fire, have been 
radically altered ; but, with certain reservations, the parallel holds good 
in its new form. 
When the reconnaissance comes properly within the functions of the 
advanced guard, the three arms are brought into play, according to 
the nature of the country, and advantageous posts are occupied by 
both sides. The intentions of the advanced guard being ever to 
challenge, but never to fight if it can help it, it pushes everywhere, 
merely to obtain an answer; and in the earlier stages of the affair this 
may be obtained more conveniently by the accurate delivery of a few 
shells from commanding positions, even at ranges of 3000 yds. and 
upwards, than by more pushing and compromising enterprises. As 
the general position becomes more evident, the whole artillery of the 
advanced guard must be in readiness to protect the deployment of its 
own infantry, to check heavy bodies of the enemy, and to engage his 
artillery, if seriously hindering the dispositions. The second function, 
containing, is now entered upon; and according as the enemy’s purpose 
shall appear to be to withdraw himself, to remain in occupation of a 
defensive position, or to attack with all speed, so will the artillery be 
well employed in threatening his flank, in trying his front, or in taking 
up secure positions from which to shatter his attack. Such positions 
