574 
THE EQUIPMENT OE FIELD ARTILLERY. 
and a sufficiency of this is carried in tlie above equipment. A single pack animal could carry over 
100 rounds. These weights, 3360 lbs. and 4660 lbs., are well under the limits laid down for horse 
and field batteries, but we confess we would prefer to see a more powerful gun than the above, 
which would utilize the total allowable weight; for if a gun of this sort is to be associated with the 
field gun in the same battery there can be no advantage in its being lighter than its companion. 
Six horses could draw either of the above guns, and it seems but a poor excuse for advocating a 
less powerful weapon to say it may be drawn by two or four horses, when we remember it is field 
and not mountain equipment that is under discussion. 
F. The following , are the weights : — 
Gun . . 
... 112 lbs. 
Carriage ... 
. 120 lbs. 
Weight of complete cartridge ... 
.2J lbs. 
n powder charge 
.100 grs. 
a bursting-charge 
... 22 grs. 
i, shell. 
.2 lbs. 
Range of gun . 
. 7000 yds. 
& Extract of Report of Officer in charge of these guns in operation against the Indians last year. 
To A. A. G., Department op the Missouri, Kansas. 
Sir, —* ****** * The mountain gun is simply invaluable ; it knocks the stone 
fortifications down readily. The accuracy of the fire is something wonderful. 
(Signed) E. Hatch, 
Colonel , 9th Cavalry. 
Note on Personal Equipment. 
It would be found at once economical and expedient to recognise the fact that a soldier should 
have two dresses which should be quite distinct, as the functions they have to fulfil are totally 
different. There should be one dress for display, for reviews, gala occasions, and such like, and 
another for barracks, battery drill, and service. We propose dealing with the latter. 
The coat should be a loose Norfolk jacket of the strongest cloth, without the plaits, lined with 
flannel, and provided inside and out with pockets. The mounted men should have pantaloons, as 
at present, but they should be better made and cut more in the shape of hunting breeches. The 
boots, of the present shape, should be cut over the instep, the slit being closed by a tongue and 
lace, and the aperture should be hidden by a broad spur-strap. The dismounted gunners should 
have “ breeches and gaiters,” the latter of black leather, and shooting boots. 
The headdress should be the helmet, though it is possible to obtain a better pattern than our 
present one. The forage cap should be similar to that worn by the French Imperial Guard (1870), 
and which has been at times copied by officers of the English guards at manoeuvres, &c. It can be 
folded flat, does not go out of shape, looks smart, and feels comfortable. 
A brown leather belt should be worn round the waist, which should carry the revolver in its 
case, and a small ammunition pouch to hold, say, 24 rounds ,* the inside of this pouch should be 
fitted in such a way that each cartridge should be separate, so as to be easily extricated by the 
fingers. It is now generally admitted that it is necessary that the gunners and drivers should carry 
some defensive weapon, and no doubt revolvers will be issued to them in the next campaign ; at 
present they are at a great disadvantage, as an instance of which it may be noted that an English 
officer in the Balaclava light cavalry charge placed with his own hand a whole Russian gun 
detachment hors de combat. 
The sword is a useless encumbrance on foot; on service this weapon should be attached to the 
saddles of the men who carry it, and special scabbards, covered with leather and lined with wood, 
should be provided. 
The water-bottle and haversack (the latter made of waterproof canvas) should be slung over the 
shoulder by leather straps. 
By a lanyard round the neck should be carried a strong clasp knife, provided with hoof picker 
and leather-borer, and fitted with a small pair of tweezers. 
The officers should have exactly the same dress as the men, they and the N.-C. officers being 
distinguished by small badges, invisible 100 yards off. Officers should, in addition to the above, 
carry a pair of field glasses in a leather case, provided with loops ; when not in use, this case 
should be worn on the waist-belt in the centre of the back ; when the field-glasses were required, 
the case could be pulled round to the side. This would be more convenient than having (as is usual) 
the case attached to the saddle. 
The battery officers should also carry spring-spikes. 
Besides the articles enumerated in Army Circulars, 1st Dec., 1877, the kits should include a 
fisherman’s wool cap and a bandage, and inside the coat should be sewn (as in the German army) 
a parchment ticket containing the man’s name and number, and space for the remarks of the 
surgeon under whose hands he would first come in case he were wounded. Much suffering is 
saved by this plan, as, of course, a wounded man is liable to be moved from one surgeon’s care to 
another’s. A small metal soap-box would also be useful. 
The present cloak appears of a good practical kind, but tbe short cape should bo abolished, and 
an extra thickness of cloth given to the coat over the shoulders. 
