228 
GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1880 . 
tlieir guns could do, and tlierefore what they should do, in point of 
accuracy in the hands of their men; but as it is at present they have 
no standard with which to compare. Again, if it is desired to raise 
the point of incidence of the trajectory of a projectile a certain vertical 
height on a target, there is no table to show how much to alter the 
tangent-sight. Surely the “Manual of Field Artillery Exercises” 
should contain these and all necessary tables of reference, and not 
only so, but all technical information tending to instruct the artillery 
officer in the scientific use of his weapon and the proper tactical 
application of his arm; but, as it now stands, the book consists of 
little more than details of drill, which, though necessary for training, 
are but the first stage towards effect on service. 
III.— The Attack oe Field Entrenchments as a Question oe 
Tactics oe the Mass. 
In treating of the attack of an entrenched position—as, in other 
words, our heading might be stated—we shall assume, in order to fix 
our ideas, that the attacking force is an army corps and that, the 
enemy's advanced posts having been driven in, he is “contained” 
within his position. 
From the range and power of its projectiles, artillery must ever 
prepare the way for the advance and assault of the infantry. Hence the 
arm has, in the first instance, to subdue, and if it may be silence 
altogether, the artillery of the defence, covering at the same time the 
deployment of the infantry; then, to destroy the defences and artificial 
obstacles of those spots selected for assault and to disorganise the 
infantry defenders. 
The officer commanding the artillery, having accompanied the 
General in his reconnaissance and having been made acquainted with 
the points of attack and general dispositions, communicates any par¬ 
ticular information he thinks necessary to give to the commanders of 
the divisional and corps artillery. The latter commander remains with 
him and receives his orders direct from him, while the former receive 
their orders each from the General commanding his division, whom 
he accompanies in reconnoitring the attack appointed to the division, 
and with whom he determines the position which the divisional artillery 
is to take up. 
In selecting this position a few general conditions, over and above 
those already mentioned when speaking of the unit, have to be kept in 
view—namely, as follows : the artillery should be so placed that its fire 
may not be likely to be masked by the infantry advancing; the arm 
should be in tactical connection with the latter, yielding to it not only 
the necessary physical but moral support; its units, separated if need 
be, in order to take full advantage of ground, line, &c., should not bo 
so dispersed as to sever their union under the divisional commander. 
The first of these conditions points to placing the artillery on the flank* 
* And slightly in advance, to coyer the deployment. 
