THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 183 
The wagons should invariably be under the command of an officer— 
usually a 2nd Captain. This is most necessary, as the experience of the 
Waterloo campaign showed that wagons may be for days separated from 
their batteries, when the absence of an officer has led to their being hustled 
to the rear and obstructed on a narrow line of march. 
In action, the 2nd Captain, having taken up a position with his wagons 
in as sheltered a situation as a due regard to supplying the battery with 
ammunition will permit, should, after say 10 rounds a gun have been fired 
send forward one wagon per half battery. Each wagon, having one mounted 
non-commissioned officer, and two gunners on the limber, should reverse 
and then halt in rear of 2 and 5 subdivisions, and the two gunners proceed 
to replenish the limbers, commencing with the rear boxes of the wagon body ; 
and when emptied, return immediately to rejoin the second line o^ wagons^ 
their places in the first line being taken by those covering them in the second 
line. The object of this is to preserve the wagon limbers as much as 
possible from the enemy's fire. 
It is suggested that the foregoing be adopted as a frequent exercise, so as 
to teach the men a system of working in action, and to accustom the gunners 
to handle with rapidity and accuracy the various projectiles, fuzes, &c. used 
by a field battery. 
The absence of a system similar to this has hitherto left the supply of 
ammunition to a battery in action entirely dependent upon the exertions and 
ability of the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of the wagons; 
and should that individual be put hors de combat , confusion and uncertainty 
must inevitably be the result. 
The foregoing is suggested as the drill for field batteries when 
manoeuvring with other troops; for notwithstanding that no axle-tree seats 
have yet been fitted, the drill, with the omission of carrying Nos. 4 and 5 
can still be practised, though of course with some sacrifice of efficiency. 
For the better instruction of the gunners, it will be advisable sometimes 
to leave part of the limber ammunition in quarters, and to change the numbers 
at the gun, so that every man may have an opportunity of becoming 
experienced at packing and unpacking the ammunition with rapidity and 
care—a knowledge which is too frequently confined, except theoretically, to 
the non-commissioned officers and Nos. 2. 
It seems expedient that the four men mounted on the gun and limber 
should be selected men, capable of taking the No. l's place if requisite. 
If Captain Strange's scheme be adopted, they would be selected from the 
marksmen of the battery. 
It has been proposed that men should be mounted also on the off-horses 
of the guns—drivers, sufficiently instructed in the duties of a gunner to 
assist in serving the gun. They would likewise be available to replace 
casualties occurring in action amongst the regular drivers. This system 
obtained in India for many years, until the amalgamation of the Indian with 
the Royal Artillery; and under it the Bengal Horse Artillery achieved a 
world-wide fame. Several continental armies copied it, with more or less 
success. 
It is believed that our field batteries must do so eventually, in order to 
keep the field against European rivals. 
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