535 
NOTES ON THE 
ORGANISATION AND EMPLOYMENT 
OS' 
SIEGE ARTILLERY. 
BY 
CAPT. R. WALKEY, R.A. 
INSTEtTCTOE OF AETILLEEY, B.H.A. 
(Continued from p. 446.) 
CHAPTER II. 
The Personnel of a Siege Train: Number of Artillerymen required.—Establishment for British 
Unit, and its Efficiency.—Duties of Artillery affected by Position of various Depots.—Expe¬ 
diency of forming Siege Transport Train.—Lessons from War of 1870-1. Arming the 
Batteries: Meaning of the Term.—Armament decided by Superior Authorities. First 
Artillery Position: Circumstances governing the most suitable Ordnance.—Facilities of 
Arming.—Projectiles used.—Lessons from War of 1870-1. Second Artillery Position: 
Consideration of the most suitable Ordnance.—Greater Difficulties in Arming.—Projectiles 
used.—Time of Arming Batteries.—General Directions regarding the Arming.—Need of Care 
and Forethought.—Importance of Simultaneous Opening of Fire.— Supply of Powder to 
Trenches: Maintenance of Supply of Ammunition. Beliefs: Time for Relieving.— 
Strength of Reliefs. Duties of Officers: Superintending Batteries.—Commanding Guns. 
Practical Instructions for Officers: Their general Trench Duties.—Dismounting Guns. 
—Destroying Parapets.—Point of Aim.—Fire with Common, Shrapnel, and Star Shell. 
Assaulting Parties: Duties of Artillery accompanying Columns.—Carriage of Stores.—■ 
Advance of Artillery Party. 
The Personnel or a Siege Train. 
The strength of a siege train, as regards the proportion and nature 
of ordnance, must he decided separately for each fortress, and when 
determined becomes the basis for calculating the required number of 
artillerymen. 
In estimating their number, an allowance must be made for three 
complete reliefs of the detachments serving the guns, with a proper 
proportion for casualties, camp duties, servants, the transport of 
ammunition to trench depots, and the performance of various duties 
connected with magazines, stores, &c. 
Basis for 
calculating 
number of 
artillery. 
