142 
MOUNTAIN ARTILLERY DRILL, 1837 . 
baggage mules, the reserve powder and baggage mules being placed 
in the centre, covering the provisions and mules with the laboratory 
boxes on their right and left. 
The spare gunners attached to the reserve are to be distributed, so 
that each mule, or at least every two, may have a holder. 
The N.-C.O. in charge of the reserve with No. 12, and the rest of 
the spare gunners will be formed in single rank, six paces in rear of 
the whole.” 
Then follows the detail for “ column of route ” on the line of march, 
practically the same as in the present Indian and Continental drills, i.e. } 
mules in single file, not in pairs, as in the Home Drill Book. 
Similar also are the general principles to be followed on the march. 
The “ movements ” that were considered necessary for a mountain 
battery were “formation in line” to a flank or to the rear, the “ advance 
of a flank in echelon,” doubling the front of the column of route 1 to 
diminish its extent, and the counter-march. All these were executed 
in the same manner and by the same words of command as in a field 
battery, the N.-C.O.’s repeating the executive commands. 
“Coming into action” and “limbering up,” called “preparing for 
action ” and “ preparing to advance ” respectively, were executed on 
the principle of present methods, but a quantity of lashing employed 
in lieu of our straps. 
The encampment of the battery was formed at half or close interval; 
the gunners’ tents on the flank at 12 paces distant, in line with guns 
and ammunition boxes, which latter, in bad weather only, were brought 
under cover of the tents ; the mules and the officers’ horses were 
picketted in two lines near the battery and under charge of at least 
two sentries. 
When the battery halted in a village the guns were placed in a 
church. 1 
Lastly, “range and effect of fire’’are dealt with. The mountain 
howitzer we learn, without the quoin, stood at 32° nearly, and at this 
elevation two ounces of powder gave a range of about 515 yards and 
required l T 7 o" fuze. The usual charge was eight ounces, for which 1° 
of elevation was given for every 100 yards. It goes on to say, : “ In 
general, elevated positions are to be avoided, the fire of the howitzer 
being most accurate when the object is not much below its level, so that 
the howitzer when laid has its axis above the horizon. When fired at a 
depression, the mountain howitzer usually leaps quite out of its bed, and 
where the ground slopes in the direction of the recoil, the gun and bed 
comes back with violence to a considerable distance. The latter in¬ 
convenience may often be remedied by a proper choice of ground on 
which to place the bed. Occasionally when the ground, occupied by 
the enemy, is hollow or entrenched, long fuzes, which will admit the 
shells to strike above and behind the parapet or cover, and to roll 
down, may be used with effect and when an enemy is posted near to, 
and in front of buildings, the shells may be directed on the walls above, 
so as to rebound and fall within its works, etc.” 
1 Column of sections. 
• such luxury for them nowadays. 
