48 ARTILLERY FROM ATSf INFANTRY OFFICER^ POINT OF VIEW, 
with automatons. 
I perfectly agree that men, horses and harness should be clean, but 
to be well turned out should not be the aim and object of a soldier’s 
existence, which, if too much worth is laid upon it, it is apt to become; 
and I like to have kit and accoutrements which require as little cleaning 
as possible, for men have so much of more importance to learn, that 
they cannot spare too much time to cleaning saddles and harness. 
My own opinion of high explosives is that their action is very un¬ 
certain, sometimes the effect is very small and on other occasions very 
great, a good deal depending upon the visibility of the object fired at. 
I think their chief effect will be a moral one. 
In conclusion I have only to add that I am pleased to see that such 
a great authority as Sir liedvers Buffer so absolutely concurs in my 
opinion as to the desirability of having commanders a long way in front 
of the units which they command. 
