376 
FIELD ARTILLERY POSITIONS. 
presume, are acquainted with the two normal methods of occupying 
positions which our Field Artillery use and with “ Field Artillery 
Drill, 1896,” page 12, which tells you what you should look to when 
choosing your ground. That is to say, put briefly— 
A clear view of your target, and ground you may want to cover. 
A good platform for your guns, and no obstacle to movement. As 
many difficulties towards approaching you, and as few facilities towards 
ranging on you, as possible. Lastly, cover, natural for choice. 
The book does not tell you how all these requirements are to be 
provided for in practice, nor shall I attempt the task. A legal text¬ 
book may give you principles and precedents, but it cannot put a 
convincing argument into your mouth. That must depend on 
how discreet and opportune you are in utilising your know¬ 
ledge. So also in judging how you may best elude observation 
in the field and at the same time perform your duty fully, you 
must be guided by the tactical situation, the lie of the ground, 
the light, the background, the state of the soil, and the con¬ 
dition of your men and horses. That is why the drill-book does not 
attempt to discuss the forward slope, the background, and some other 
points of which it does not intend, I presume, that officers should lose 
sight. Personally, I think also that it is best not to burthen a maids 
memory with more theory than can be avoided, but to leave a good 
deal to his own judgment. 
I think both writers, to whom I have alluded, take a somewhat 
pessimistic view of the capacity of our artillery officers. I don't think, 
if all the circumstances are duly considered, that there is as much 
divergence of opinion afloat amongst us as is sometimes assumed 
when a ready writer takes pen in hand. I find plenty to agree with 
in both papers, and I admire the industry and ability of the author of 
the longer one, though I mean to criticise some of his statements; 
but, at the same time, I am sure he will not take it amiss if I here point 
out that he seems to have fallen into an error to which enthusiatism 
is always prone and that, like Don Quixote, he couches his lance 
as courageously against imaginary as against real foes. 
He conjures up a scene in his first three pages in which the enemy 
is absolutely concealed, and where the British commander “ feels sure 
that when the last signal to advance is given, no one battery will be 
much behind the other in the race for the crest and for the honour of 
the first shot.” Now I say, unhesitatingly, that this picture is mis¬ 
leading. I have never of late years seen or heard of a brigade division 
in wdiich batteries raced into position; and, on the other hand, I have 
seen the most untiring patience bestowed on instructing batteries to 
come up together. So far indeed from officers trying to get before one 
another, incredible as it may sound, I believe they do their best to 
keep in line. But when we look at the situation from the enemys' 
point of view for one moment,” the distortion is more amazing still. 
This is what we are told goes on in our Field Artillery, and is held 
up as a specimen of out efficiency after all the instruction at Aldershot 
and Okehampton. “ Colonels, adjutants, majors and section com - 
