MOUNTAIN ARTILLERY DRILL, 1837 . 
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stores. The principle is much the same as that adopted by us at the 
present day, and calls for no special detail here. Importance was 
attached to invariably preserving equality of weight in the ammunition 
boxes even during the service of ammunition to the piece in action. 
The only entrenching tools of a division, which were carried on the 
howitzer bed's saddle, were two small spades, one miner's pick, one 
felling axe, two bill hooks, and 25 fathoms of 2" rope. 
We then come to the duties of the detachment in action. Allowing 
for the difference in the equipment, the first nine numbers' duties 
do not differ in principle or even in detail, much from that adopted at 
the present time. 
The detachment consisted of 12 numbers, of whom No. 10 had charge, 
on the march, of the baggage, provisions' and spare gun mules. In 
action he took charge of the 2nd ammunition mule of his sub-division. 
Nos. 11 and 12, on the march, formed the advance and rear-guards 
and in action took charge of the baggage, provisions and spare gun 
mules. 
No. 9 had charge of the gun mules in action, No. 7 of the first 
ammunition mule, and No. 6 of the howitzer bed mule. 
No. 1 went down on both knees and the Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 on their 
right knees only, “ in action." 
The “ formation of the battery in line " is dealt with as follows :— 
“The guns form up in line at the distance of 12 paces from each other, 
attended by 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the mules held by 2. 
Nos. 1 on the right and left of their sub-divisions. The beds 
between the guns of their division, dressing by them, and attended by 
6 and 9 ; 2, 3, and 6 in line with the mules' heads, 4, 5, and 9 in line 
with the rear of the saddles. 
The first pair of ammunition boxes are in rear of their respective 
guns, at the distance of 12 paces, the mules are held by a muleteer in 
the right hand, No. 7 is on the right in line with the mules’ heads. 
The second pair of ammunition boxes cover the first at a distance of 
one length held by 8 in the left hand. 
In rear of the centre of the battery, and at 24 paces from the rear 
line of ammunition boxes, the provisions, tents, baggage and spare 
mules are formed in close order; the provision mules in the centre, 
held by 11 of guns two and three; the tent mules next outwards, held 
by 11 of guns one and four; the baggage mules by 10 (all holding the 
heads of their mules by the left hand 1 2 ) and, lastly, the spare gun 
mules, each pair in charge of a muleteer. The officers dismount six 
paces in front of their divisions. 
If the reserve 3 is not up, Nos. 1 and 2 form in single rank, six 
paces in rear of the centre of the last line of mules. If the reserve 
is present, the whole form in line 12 paces in rear of the spare and 
1 The advantage of this is not quite obvious. 
2 The “front ” and “reserve” corresponded to our “gun line ” and “ammunition line,” with 
this exception, that in the former case, the “ front ” line might be separated from the “ reserve ” 
line for a day or two without inconvenience; whereas our division of the battery is merely a 
temporary one for “ action ” and “ manoeuvre.” 
