THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
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7. The opposing files are to be either dressed differently (dress and 
undress), or one side to be distinguished by wearing forage caps. 
8. The umpires may halt any body of troops, and order them to retire 
behind the first line, or to any position indicated. 
These officers scatter themselves along the front between the 
contending armies, placing themselves on high ground, or where 
they can get a good view, and can watch the movements on both 
sides. They are thus ready to check any breach of the rules and 
regulations as contained in Sir Charles Staveley’s book. This is 
done by the umpire at the spot halting any body of troops on either 
side, ordering it to retire a certain distance, or not to move or 
advance further for a given time. A note of the umpire’s decision 
is at once forwarded to the general commanding on either side, as 
may be necessary. 
Umpires prevent the attacking troops advancing too quickly, and 
not allowing sufficient time for the effect of the fire of the defence. 
They prevent lines getting too close, skirmishers from closing, 
cavalry from making absurd or ineffective charges, or placing them¬ 
selves under the fire of artillery or infantry. They prevent artillery 
from taking up exposed positions, or placing themselves under the 
effective fire of infantry, or where they are liable to immediate capture. 
The umpires decide whether a position has been carried—a 
bridge, or village, or wood, for instance—with sufficient force; 
whether a battery has been fairly captured; whether a cavalry 
charge has been effective and properly timed. While the umpire is 
looking at the positions and making his notes, the troops order 
arms, officers return swords, and cavalry dismount, until the decision 
is given; when matters either go on, or cease. 
I will read a summary of some of the principal rules which must 
be learnt by heart, and thoroughly recognised by all, in order to 
work this system of manoeuvring. The Prussians know these rules 
as well as they do their catechisms—perhaps better. 
Rules to be Observed by the Troops. 
1. Infantry and cavalry are not to approach each other nearer than 60 
yards. If they come nearer, the officers halt, order arms, return swords, 
until the umpire decides which is to retire. 
2. Lines are not to exchange volleys nearer than 250 yards. 
3. Skirmishers must not fire when within 200 yards of each other. 
4. Cavalry charges, to be considered effective by the umpires, must be 
delivered with proper energy, and halted within 60 yards of infantry. 
5. Cavalry and artillery must not remain halted under effective fire of 
infantry. 
6. Skirmishers and artillery must not move across a plain commanded by 
enemy’s cavalry. 
7. Guns limbered-up may be captured by cavalry or skirmishers if unsup¬ 
ported or weakly protected. 
8. Beaten cavalry must retire at a trot. The victorious cavalry may 
follow at a walk at 500 yards interval, if they think proper to do so. 
9. A battalion in square (unshaken) can not be attacked by single 
squadrons of horse. Three or four squadrons may do so, if the square is 
so placed as to be assailable from different sides. 
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