844 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
from the fire of the guns—but not one second before then—firing must 
cease. 
The horse artillery horses may become regularly blown by their rapid 
advance, and although while galloping to the front the guns were 
perfectly useless, yet now, standing still in action, they are doing their 
work in their proper place, and the horses are being rested; i.e., horse 
artillery when in motion are of no use against an enemy, they are of 
use only when “ standing still.” The longer they are kept standing 
still, the greater the number of rounds that can be fired, of course, and 
the longer the breathing time for the horses. Hence, position should 
be changed as seldom as possible; but when necessary, it should be 
done at full gallop, for until the change is completed the guns are quite 
useless—until, in fact, they are “ standing still ” again. 
It is therefore quite clear that the gallop, when practicable, is the 
only horse artillery (proper) pace during an engagement. 
On the other hand, with the cavalry nearly the opposite holds good. 
If the cavalry are working with horse artillery, they should endeavour 
to obtain from the guns as much work as possible; and the more damage 
the guns are allowed to perpetrate on the enemy, the more successful 
is the cavalry charge afterwards likely to be. The guns, therefore, 
should be permitted to go ahead to do their work; and while this is 
going on, the cavalry commander, saving his men and horses, should 
come up at the very slowest safe pace. By galloping now, he would 
only “wind” both men and horses, and if he passed the guns (and 
how very often this is done), they would, for his safety, have to cease 
firing before they had (possibly) given the enemy one round; and 
further, his men and horses would be “ done ” at the very moment 
when they should be at their best. 
In actual warfare, as a rule, except in the charge over about the last 
100 yds., and the canter for about the previous 50, cavalry should never 
go beyond a trot. 
A sort of rivalry now exists, most pernicious, as to which, goes the 
faster. This would be thoroughly put an end to if the absurdity of 
horse artillery and cavalry advancing together were stopped, and the 
following rules borne in mind :— 
At the time of actual conflict with the enemy, cavalry should be at 
full gallop. 
At the time of actual conflict with the enemy, horse artillery should 
be standing still. 
In advancing to the attack, cavalry should not go faster than a trot 
(so that men and horses may be fresh for the “ clash.”) 
In advancing to the attack, horse artillery should go at full gallop 
(so as to get into “ standing still,” and therefore use, as soon as possible; 
for the sooner in action, the greater the number of rounds the guns can 
fire before the cavalry pass). 
Were these points attended to, there could be no rivalry. The one 
would then see that a distinct part has to be played by the other, 
and that both combined make a splendid whole; and were this feeling 
once secured, it would more than ever be the object of the officers of 
