574 
SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 
harness for the shaft horse. The strain on the shaft horse would cer¬ 
tainly tell in a campaign, even if the wheelers are harnessed alternately 
off and near, as is generally done. 
It is not at all an unusual thing to find your shaft horse thoroughly 
exhausted when the rest of the team show little signs of distress. 
This is particularly noticeable after quick work with horse artillery ; 
and as the pace is regulated by the slowest horse, this has a serious 
effect on the mobility of the battery. 
The superior advantages of shafts for manoeuvring is a matter of 
little importance; for on service, manoeuvring is of the very simplest 
description, intricate movements being out of the question. 
Sights. 
The sights with which our field guns are fitted are much too coarse. 
With a high initial velocity, and consequently a low trajectory, it is 
imperative to lay very accurately, and this cannot be done with the 
present sights. As it appears probable that artillery in the future will 
commence an action at very long ranges, an improvement in this 
important matter seems very desirable. 
The present sight for our rifled guns is about as appropriate as a 
Government Enfield sight on a Rigby match rifle. 
Arms oe Personnel. 
The heavy cavalry sword, and the mode of carrying it, are both most 
inappropriate for N.C. officers and gunners of horse artillery, and 
N.C. officers of field batteries. The sword is uselessly heavy, and is 
constantly getting in the way. If it is considered necessary that the 
men should be armed, a sword somewhat of the pattern worn by 
mountain battery gunners in India appears to be a suitable weapon. 
The sheath is of leather, and the total weight must be less than half 
that of the present sword. Long slings to the sword-belt are a 
barbarism, alike useless and inconvenient. The want of a shoulder- 
strap, too, is so much felt that one is nearly always worn by the men, 
either of leather or some other material. The sword belt joar excellence 
is what is known in India as the “ Sam Browne 33 belt. It combines 
comfort with utility, and would be most suitable for horse artillery 
gunners and N.C. officers. A rough sketch of it is here given. It 
could be worn without inconvenience under a horse artillery jacket. 
A small strap, fixed to the belt, passes through the sword-handle, 
and is fastened to a small button on the belt ; thus keeping the sword 
steady when dismounted. Having personally walked and ridden many 
hundred miles with this belt and sword, I can answer for its great 
comfort and convenience. 
