463 
MINUTES OP PROCEEDINGS OF 
THE 
CONSTITUTION AND DUTIES OE THE ARTILLERY 
OF THE 
ADVANCED GUARD OF AN ARMY IN THE FIELD, 
BY 
LIEUT. S. C. PRATT, R.A. 
[THE R.A. INSTITUTION PRIZE ESSAY OF 1874] 
“ Multa petentibus desunt multa.” 
The introduction of breech-loaders and rifled cannon has undoubtedly 
modified the whole system of modern tactics. The general principles regu¬ 
lating the dispositions of troops will always remain true, but their mode of 
application will vary according to the exigencies that altered conditions of 
warfare may give rise to. It is not easy to determine where the develop¬ 
ment and growth of new ideas should end. Certain changes in tactical forms 
result naturally from the introduction of new elements into warfare, provided 
that the value of those elements is accurately known and justly estimated. 
On the other hand, many debated points can only be settled by the establish¬ 
ment of new theories founded on a certain number of well known facts; care 
being taken as to the sufficiency of the evidence. 
The tendency of the present day has been—in the case of advanced guards 
—to increase considerably their strength. This has arisen naturally from the 
increased range of modern weapons, and especially that of field guns. The 
main body of an army has to be protected from distant artillery fire while on 
the march, and while manoeuvring to get into fighting order. To effect this, 
an advanced guard must be strong enough to hold a position without support 
at a sufficient distance from the main body—a condition only obtainable by 
the employment of a powerful force. 
Before entering into details, it is necessary clearly to understand what an 
advanced guard is. 
Definition of An army always marches with as broad a front as is consistent with tacti- 
GuIrtL ed cal requirements. This necessitates a division into several columns marching 
on separate roads. The object of the march, the nature of the country, and 
the number and direction of the roads, regulate the number of columns. 
Each column may have its own advanced guard, or one may serve for the 
whole army. It has thus been laid down as usual to detail for the advanced 
guard one or more constituents of the main body . 1 Thus an army composed 
1 “ Art of War,” Clausewitz. 
