GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1880 . 
231 
making flank attacks, wkicli may necessitate long detours, manoeuvring 
to resist counter attacks or to meet the necessities of critical moments. 
Again, it is generally allowed that the divisional artillery should form 
an intimate part of the division to which it belongs and act with it; 
hence it follows, taking the batteries as above, that the three horse 
artillery batteries would best form the reserve artillery proper and 
forming it should be attached for the time to the division in reserve, 
the heavy batteries of which would be better attached to, and utilised 
with, the corps artillery against the decisive points of the entrenched 
position. 
As soon as the artillery of the defence has become somewhat subdued, 
and the infantry of the attack sufficiently advanced, the batteries must 
be moved forward to their second* position. This should be by successive 
batteries, those being first pushed forward whose fire has become of less 
consequence, or of less efficacy, in the original position. Endeavour 
ought, however, to be made to throw forward some of the heavy batteries 
early, not only because of their greater power against infantry, but to 
subdue guns of the defence hitherto unsubdued—perhaps undis-' 
covered—which might seriously impede the further advance of the 
infantry. 
From the first position of attack the fire of the batteries against the 
entrenchment will mainly consist of common shell; but from the second, 
the defences being partly reduced and the infantry defenders con¬ 
tinuously firing, will be the opportunity for shrapnel and for taking 
an oblique line of fire—the latter not only increasing the fire effect of 
that projectile, but suiting the placing the guns on the flanks of the 
advancing infantry, so that they may not be masked by it. 
Immediately preceding the assault, the fire of the batteries should be 
as quick as it can effectively be, and as soon as it becomes masked by 
the infantry it should be turned upon the enemy's reserves, or, if need 
be, to repulse a,ny counter-attack. 
Should the assault be successful and the entrenchment occupied, some 
guns of the reserve should be advanced into it, in order to securing it. 
We need hardly mention that it is essential tha.t a perfect supply of 
ammunition be kept up to the gun-limbers during the action. 
In conclusion, we would make a few observations. First, with regard 
to the proportion of horse artillery. Three batteries are allowed to the 
corps artillery, which, as we have already stated, would naturally be 
employed in flank attacks, resisting counter-attacks and supplying aid 
at critical moments; in all which purposes time comes in as an element 
of the greatest importance, and hence speed may be required, while the 
distance to be traversed may be comparatively long. Notwithstanding 
such conditions, we are of opinion that horse artillery is not, in general, 
required for these duties, but that light field batteries are sufficient; 
because the latter are more mobile than infantry, though not so much 
so as cavalry and because further, it is neither necessary nor desirable 
now, in the days of rifled arms, to approach to such close range of the 
More than one change of position may, of course, be necessary. 
