371 
WHAT IS THE BEST TACTICAL ORGANISATION AND 
SYSTEM OF TRAINING MASSED BATTERIES OF HORSE AND 
FIELD ARTILLERY? 
BY 
MAJOR E. S. MAY, R. A. 
“mens ag-itat molem.” 
COMMENDED ESSAY, 1894. 
SECTION I. 
Introductory . 
“ In military matters two and two do not make four, unless they are 
brought together in concerted action.” 1 2 
The question which, forms the title for this Essay is for Artillery, that 
of the hour. Range and mobility are the chief characteristics of 
modern guns, and it is precisely these two endowments that enable 
them to be employed in masses. Union is strength; combination gives 
force its opportunity, and the history of Field Artillery is but a de¬ 
monstration of these truths. The splendid results obtained by the 
eighteen guns that crowned the Janusberg, at Rossbach, were not lost 
sight of by the soldiers of Frederick’s time, and Kunersdorf, Hoch- 
kirch, Torgau, not to multiply instances, all yield illustration of how 
guns, emancipated from the battalions, might with success be directed 
by one will, to the attainment of some great end. 
But batteries in the last century moved at best but slowly, and were 
in little favour with generals accustomed to see battles won by squad¬ 
rons. Their organisation, too, was but primitive, no definite regulations 
were in existence, and only a few instructions, which even in those 
early days however, be it noted, inculcated the value of a concentration 
against the point to be assaulted, and of uniformity of direction. 3 
But at a time when guns were endowed with only limited range and 
mobility they had often to be contented with such positions as were 
left them between the infantry, and had to take their stand, not where 
they might effect most, but where they would interfere least with their 
comrades. 
Napoleon, when he set himself to develop the efficiency of his artil¬ 
lery, had first to overcome the difficulties with which a defective 
organisation hampered them. Two men of exceptional ability, Senar- 
mont and Druot, seconded his efforts, and a mass of guns giving the 
1 “ The influence of Sea-power on the French Revolution and Empire, 1793-1812.” By Captain 
A. T. Mahan, TJ.S. Navy. 
2 Vide translation from “ Neue Militarische Blatter ,” in the “ Proceedings ” of the R.A. Insti¬ 
tution for September, 1888. 
7. vot. xxi. 
