ROLE OF HORSE ARTILLERY. 
337 
Horse artillery then will be best employed on this service, while the 
heavier batteries are better able to carry on an effective fire from the 
longer range. 
Sooner or later, according to circumstances, to be decided on the spot, 
e.g,, the effect already obtained on the enemy’s guns, the fire must be 
turned on the infantry; then, supporting the attack to the last, these 
light batteries will hold themselves ready to advance and hold the posi¬ 
tion and complete the rout, or to cover the retreat and draw off the 
opposing fire in case of defeat. 
Other horse artillery batteries must be employed to manoeuvre against 
those counter-attacks which are “ the life of the defence,” against any 
attempt on the part of the enemy to advance guns to reach the attacking 
infantry when yet in column, to enfilade any portions of the defensive 
line which offer, and generally to act against the flanks. 
On the defensive,-every attempt must be made to destroy the enemy’s 
batteries as they come into action, and before they bring up a sufficient 
number to establish a supremacy. 
Horse artillery, acting from advanced and flanking positions, will be 
best adapted for this purpose, manoeuvring against any batteries unduly 
exposing themselves coming into action or changing position, and against 
the enemy’s masses. 
Modern shrapnel will have a deadly effect against troops arriving 
within range in any close formation. 
But the attacking bodies will specially avoid such an approach; their 
formations for attack should be assumed immediately the leading troops 
arrive within effective range of the enemy’s artillery.” * 
Still there is no reason why horse artillery should not be advanced to 
reach them while still in column, when a few rounds would amply repay 
the risk run, and at least force an earlier deployment. These batteries 
should afterwards retire, as the attack advances, to previously prepared 
positions, and remain ready to open on the infantry at the critical 
moment of their assault. 
The efforts of a rear-guard of a defeated and retreating army should 
be directed to delaying the pursuing force, to gain time for its own main 
body to retire, and to protecting the latter from attack, which results 
are best obtained by holding favourable positions as long as possible 
without compromising itself, and then withdrawing rapidly to a fresh 
position. 
As such positions are not to be held permanently, a comparatively 
great extent of front may be covered, which will afford advantageous 
positions for cross-fire from artillery posted wide on the flanks. 
As the utmost rapidity of movement is necessary, horse artillery 
must be employed, and as it will seldom be desirable to take the 
offensive, and, except occasionally, as when covering the passage of a 
defile, when a stand must be made, fighting at close quarters will rarely 
take place, it may be employed in large quantity. 
“ In pursuit the great aim should be to strike not the rear but the 
flank of the retreating enemy.” 
The defen¬ 
sive. 
Retreats 
and pursuits 
Clary, 1877. 
43 
