ROLE OF HORSE ARTILLERY. 
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past. Take for example the once much-vexed question of massing 
versus separating batteries, and that of the correct object for artillery 
fire. The first rules advanced were, separate the batteries while 
concentrating their fire, and fire only on artillery when there is nothing 
else to fire on. 
“It should be borne in mind,” said Jomini, “ that the chief office of 
all artillery is to overwhelm the enemy’s troops, and not to reply to 
their batteries.” * 
To-day, the broad rules laid down are: mass the batteries, and let the 
first object of their fire be those of the enemy. 
“ It is found best to concentrate the batteries in masses.” “ The first 
efforts of artillery on each side are generally directed to silencing the 
opposing batteries.” f 
Both these changes are, no doubt, due to the fact of an increase in 
the number of batteries brought into action ; but to whatever cause 
they may be traced, there they stand, examples of radical changes 
which have taken place in a very few years in the theories propounded 
by leading authorities. 
It need, then, occasion no surprise if the system at present so much 
advocated, viz., “ the precipitate presentment of the whole of our 
artillery in one grand battery,” be replaced by one which numbers 
amongst its principles “ manoeuvre,—opportune, adapted to the move¬ 
ments of the enemy, not in place only but equally in time.” J 
With regard to the second question mentioned above, the object for 
artillery fire, considerable difference of opinion exists amongst the most 
recent writers on tactics, especially concerning its use in the different 
phases of the defence, and the difficulty is not unfrequently got over by 
propounding the rather vague rule that the fire should be directed 
against that arm which, for the time being, is making itself most felt. 
Now, though undoubtedly at each phase of an action the effect of one 
arm predominates, the others are not idle, but are preparing to take 
their parts in due time. To follow the above rule is, then, to play into 
the enemy’s hands. For example, if standing on the defensive at the 
commencement of the engagement, the enemy’s artillery will be most 
felt. But under cover of its fire the infantry are preparing for attack. 
If then the opposing artillery engage the whole attention of the guns, 
the infantry is allowed to approach unmolested. 
Particular care must be taken to guard against this natural instinct to Necessity 
oppose the whole strength to those troops which are making themselves Sivre. an " 
most felt; if not, “ the fire of the assailant’s artillery, and the fire of his 
skirmishing line, will have the effect of drawing on them both the 
enemy’s artillery and infantry fire, and hence it becomes possible to 
bring up the main body in a much closer formation than is often 
supposed.” § 
While the heavier batteries engage the artillery, the lighter should be 
engaged in manoeuvring against the dispositions of all three arms. 
* Jomini, translated by Mendall and Craighill, 1873. f Hamley, 1873. 
| Colonel Smyth, Prize Essay, 1876. § Home, 1873. 
