643 
EXTRACTS 
FROM THE 
“GIORNALE DI ARTIGLIERIA E GEN 10.” 
January* 1881. 
(Resume of the Report of a Conference, held in Vienna, by the Wissentschaftlichen Vereine, 
on the best method of employing Horse Artillery in the present day.) 
BY 
CAPTAIN A. E. TURNER, R. H, A. 
The enormous increase of power gained by fire-arms in the last few 
years has necessarily caused considerable modifications in the tactical 
action of the troops of all arms. With regard to horse artillery, the 
following questions suggest themselves :—- 
1. Should it be attached to cavalry as heretofore, in order to prepare 
the way for the latter's advance, by firing the few rounds, permitted by 
time, under the most favorable circumstances ? 
2. Should horse artillery accompany large bodies of cavalry acting 
independently in advance of an army; and, if so, how should it be 
employed ? 
With regard to the first question, it was determined that it is no 
longer feasible to prepare the way for a rapid advance of cavalry by 
means of the fire of horse artillery guns ; for, whereas formerly, when 
the range of infantry fire was comparatively insignificant, and the pace 
of manoeuvre of cavalry much slower, the batteries could often be 
pushed forward with safety to within case shot range of the enemy, 
and maintain a fire with considerable effect for some minutes; now, how¬ 
ever, guns must perforce take up positions at great distances from an 
unbroken enemy; and even if we allow. that, by the substitution of 
shrapnel for case, the actual efficacy of artillery fire has not been 
diminished, it must be borne in mind that much more time is required 
for the proper adjustment of the first named projectile, which if 
employed hastily, after the manner of case, is of little value. 
It may be stated that, as a general rule, the cavalry divisions are 
posted on, or in rear of the wings, to execute flank and turning move¬ 
ments, and to protect their own troops from similar manoeuvres on the 
part of the enemy. Such movements are usually brought about 
suddenly by some new phase in the feature of the battle, and will call 
for equally sudden deployments or changes of front on the opposing 
side, after which will take place, in all probability, a number of rapid 
charges, following one another in rapid succession, the result being 
decided in favor of the general, who is able to bring the last reserve to 
bear. Under such circumstances, the employment of artillery appears 
impossible, for its commander cannot intuitively grasp the plans of the 
cavalry commander, which are not preconceived, but determined and 
carried out on the spur of the moment, and which there is no time to 
