HISTORICAL NOTICES OE THE ROYAL ARTILLERY. 
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“ panies, with directions to them to use it for their instruction. The officers 
“ and men cannot be too much warned against throwing away their fire by 
“ beginning too soon when the enemy is at a distance, or by firing carelessly 
“ without taking pains to lay their guns. This sort of fire, instead of in- 
“ juring, encourages an enemy; it is when within the reach of grape that 
“your fire will have the greatest effect, and it is only after having got very 
“ close to you. that a brave enemy will be defeated. The Officers and men of 
“ the East Kent will, I trust, recollect this, and not think of abandoning 
“ their guns, or of retiring until absolutely forced. It is better to risk being 
“taken than to abandon too soon, for it is the last shots which tell; at all 
“ events it is of importance to show the French what they are to expect in 
“ their invasion of England; after that there may still be time to retreat ; a 
“few yards start is sufficient, as an enemy is always'cautious of following in 
“ a country he does not know.” 
Note. —The East Kent Militia was stationed at Woolwich Gfarrison 
(during one of the embodiments) from August 3rd 1854, to April 5th, 
1855, when it marched to Portsmouth and embarked for Malta, wdiere 
it remained till 4th June, 1856. Such was the good conduct and high 
state of discipline maintained by the regiment, that the Commandant 
at Woolwich specially requested that the East Kent Militia might be 
again stationed there on return from Malta; and the regiment was 
quartered at Woolwich for the second time from November 16tli, 1857, 
to June 15th, 1858. 
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