GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 533 
skirmishers by shooting down the gunners will be neutralised, and if it 
is required to take or drive off a battery, a direct attack will be necessary 
in great force. It would, however, be a most sanguinary business, 
and ought not to succeed. The Gatling would give great aid in 
repulsing it. 
3rd. To support the fire of the battery during the decisive moments 
of an attack, when the latter must often move up within infantry range, 
and when, in general, we may suppose the enemy’s artillery more or 
less silenced. The chief object should then be the nearest infantry, or 
that which apparently does the battery most harm. The mitrailleur 
should pour a continuous stream of balls on them, and try to keep 
down their fire, thus reducing the losses of the battery, which with 
shielded artillery would be chiefly in horses. It is most importan 
- that at such moments the mobility of the battery should not be 
seriously impaired; it would on such occasions be impossible to send 
the horses away, and generally be difficult to place them under cover 
near the battery. 
4 th. The mi trail leur would be most useful in repelling a charge of 
cavalry. 
Hence the following rules for its employment:— 
1. On the defensive, it should be kept as much as possible under 
cover during the preliminary artillery combat, unless the hostile 
batteries, from the nature of the ground or other causes, come within 
1200 or 1300 yds., when it would probably be advisable to open fire 
on them with the Gatling. Should they be shielded, even then it 
would be of little use. 
2. It should open fire on the enemy’s infantry at about 1500 yds., 
the ranges being supposed to be known and the bursts of the battery’s 
shells giving the necessary corrections; the object of fire the same as 
the battery. It would then act as a seventh gun. 
3. On the offensive, it should be kept under cover as much as 
possible during the artillery combat, but should, if possible, be placed 
in such a position as to command the ground in front; and those 
serving it should be particular to obtain the ranges of all places which 
would afford cover to the enemy, who, if the artillery has been pushed 
to the front, are sure to try to cause losses to the guns. If the guns 
are shielded, they will try and work out on the flanks. 
4. When the battery advances to close range to support the final 
attack, the mitrailleur should accompany it, as above mentioned. If 
the enemy’s guns are shielded, they must be silenced or subdued by 
ours. Our infantry, however demoralised the enemy’s may be, will 
not be able to advance, if the ground be at all open, if the enemy’s 
shielded guns can sweep them away at leisure, while our infantry can 
inflict little damage in return. The support of artillery will be more 
than ever necessary. 
Rules for 
employ¬ 
ment. 
