THE 110YAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
45 
AUTUMN MANffiUYRES; 
CONSIDERED IN THEIR PLACE BETWEEN DRILLS AND WAR. 
A LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE R.A. INSTITUTION, WOOLWICH, DEC. 19, 1871, 
BY 
CAPTAIN C. B. BRACKENBURY, R.A. 
Bbigadier-Geneeal J. M. Adye, C.B., R.A., in the Chaib. 
In the time of the Crimean War, it happened to me once to ride with a 
companion through the valley of Baidar. The well known archway was 
held by a Erench guard—one of the advanced posts of the allies in that 
direction. With the usual coolness of Englishmen we rode straight through 
the astonished Erench soldiers, quite heedless of their surprise, until, when 
we had passed on a few paces, there was a marked movement among them, 
and we were ordered back in no friendly tone. It was evident that the 
command would be followed by a bullet if not obeyed, so we turned back, 
chafing at what we supposed to be the insolence of our allies. An officer 
came out, and enquired what was our business there. “ No business; only a 
ride for pleasure,” we replied. At first he was somewhat incredulous, as 
well he might be, but soon believed our word, and treated us with every 
kindness, sending us some grapes and wine. “ But gentlemen,” he said, in 
an expostulatory tone, “ how could you ride through the advanced posts of 
an army without business, without pass-word, without even deigning to 
speak to the officer in charge of the post. You know war , and that such 
conduct is very dangerous.” (( Know war l” that was just what I was quite 
certain I did not, whatever my companion might know. I knew how to 
take care of horses, drill a troop of horse artillery, or make up weekly mess- 
books ; but this thing called “War.” What was it? and how came it to 
be possible that I could make such a blunder as this without knowing it ? 
The episode might have happened to any one of the thousands of officers 
who knew no more than I did. May we not fear—nay, are we not certain, 
that many a gallant life was thrown away in striving with desperate bravery 
to make up for want of knowledge of “War.” While we are proud of the 
Alma, we should not forget that a sustained pursuit would probably have 
been rewarded by the capture of the fortress. The lustre of the gallant 
deeds done in the plains of Balaklava must not blind us to the memories of 
mud on the winter way and muddle in the port. In our pride of those 
who stood gloriously on the slopes of Inkerman, let us remember also those 
