8 
6. —Formation of section columns. These, as well as sub-division columns, are 
always formed on the move and never at the halt. 
7. —Movements of a battery in section columns, and changes of directions of the 
same. 
8. —Half battery columns of an 8-gun battery. 
9. “Deployments from ditto. 
10.—Oblique movements of section and half battery columns. The direction in 
these is preserved by the Section Commanders, their sections preserving dressing 
and interval from them. 
It is laid down that oblique movements in column should only be employed for 
very short distances. 
Reconnaissance of Position. 
When a battery is acting independently this duty falls to the Battery Com¬ 
mander, and is carried out on the same principles as laid down for larger units. 
As a general rule, the earlier the reconnaissance is made the better it fulfils its 
object. 
When the Battery Commander proceeds to reconnoitre he must hand over the 
command to the next senior officer. 
The Approach to the Position 
Is carried out in “fighting formation,” the 2nd line of wagons detaching itself 
from the battery. 
The Advance into Position 
Should be in line over open ground, and in column of sub-divisions over broken 
ground. 
The first line of wagons follows the advance in column of sub-divisions, but 
comes up in line to the battery in action. 
Coming into Action. 
If it is desired to come into action to a flank from column of sub-divisions and, 
at the same time, at reduced intervals, the following method is adopted:— 
When the leading gun has reached its position the order is given—“ Leading- 
gun. Halt. Dress. Close on the right of limbers (or gun-axles, centre, or 
wheel horses, according to the desired intervals). March.” 
On the command march, the 2nd gun in column moves alongside the leading- 
one, almost at close interval, till the lead driver is opposite the limber (or gun- 
axle, &c.) and then halts independently. Each succeeding gun does the same as 
soon as the gun in front of it has halted, but till then must carefully preserve its 
covering to the front, keeping closed up as much as possible. The order is then 
given—“ Action Bight (or Left). March.” By this means the gun intervals in 
action may be reduced to 17, 12, 9, or 4 paces. 
Action. 
After unlimbering (at “limber supply”) two shell-boxes and two cartouches are 
removed from the limbers, which then leave the position and form up under cover, 
either together, in rear of battery, or in two sections, one on each flank. In the 
former case, they are in line at full interval; in the latter, in column of sub¬ 
divisions. 
