474 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
two columns, cross the Lauter, take up a position on the opposite bank, and 
establish connection with the advance of the two neighbouring columns. Two 
light batteries were attached to the guard. While marching on the single 
road, one battery was attached to the vanguard, and marched near the rear 
of the van, preceded by two squadrons and six companies, and followed by a 
battalion. The remaining battery marched at the head of the gros of the 
advanced guard, covered by a fusilier battalion. On reaching the neigh¬ 
bourhood of the Lauter, a division into two columns was made, one battery 
being attached to each. As a general rule throughout the war, the Germans 
attached two batteries to the advanced guard of an army corps while on the 
march, but reinforced them generally, when possible, previous to an engage¬ 
ment. Thus the 11th German Army Corps brought four advanced guard 
batteries into action on the morning of the battle of Woerth. 
An example of another kind is the march of the 4th Bavarian Division 
towards Eroesch wilier, on the 6th August, 1870. One light battery was 
attached to the advanced guard, and marched at the head of the main body 
of it, covered by a battalion of infantry. 
The advanced guard of the 13th Division (First German Army) crossed 
the frontier in similar order the same day, with one light battery. On hear¬ 
ing firing in the neighbourhood of Eorbach, to which they were approaching, 
an additional battery was added. 
Exceptional Hitherto, the position and proportion of the artillery force under ordinary 
Cases> circumstances has been considered. Exceptional cases must also be noted— 
such as a march through a defile, or in an unusually difficult country. 
There are many varieties of defiles, but the only ones actually influencing 
the march of troops are mountain passes or forest roads. The consideration 
of the former embraces all the requisite points. 
When a defile is very long, an enemy may occupy a position in the interior 
of it. In the generality of such cases, the defile would be forced by out¬ 
flanking movements of infantry, and the head of the advanced guard would 
consist mainly of that arm. The main body of the artillery would be kept 
back, behind the gros of the advanced guard, sending forward guns when 
necessary to overcome obstacles in the road. In all questions of this sort it 
must be remembered that no absolute rule can be laid down, the features 
of the soil of themselves causing variations that cannot be calculated upon. 
In the most ordinary case of a defile, when an enemy defends the dehouche\ 
the following principles are recognised. The artillery must be powerful and 
well in front, to prepare the assault on the enemy’s defensive position. The 
intervals between the several bodies of troops, while passing the defile, must 
be lengthened. At the same time, “ all that can possibly be done to diminish 
the length of the column till the defile is forced, should be attended to." 1 2 
All experience shows—notably in the campaign of 1866—the importance 
of getting guns speedily to the front. Owing to the usually difficult nature 
of the ground, however, it may not be easy to find positions for 
them at first. There will always be an opportunity for placing two guns 
either on the road leading through the defile, or at its sides. With these 
guns the attack may be “ vigorous, and the initiative kept." 3 Considering, 
then, the advanced guard of a corps, two guns would be detached to the 
1 “Wellington Essay,” Maurice. 
2 Von Waldersee. 
