u 
SHOUT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
The following are a few of the “ observations ” which are inserted at the end of 
the MS.:— 
“ All the field ordnance which had been landed at Ferrol with Lieut.-General 
Sir James Pulteney’s army, and afterwards joined General Sir Balph Abercrombie, 
were re-embarked there in so disorderly a manner, no one piece was found fit for 
immediate service. This circumstance will for ever unfortunately occur, unless 
the direction of the business be left entirely to the artillery corps, whether navy 
boats and ships of war, or those of the ordnance only receive them. 
“ The disembarking of ordnance, unless in the instance of field pieces let down 
into the boats ready mounted from ships of war, however regularly performed, is 
always liable to some confusion. This principally arises from the parts of the 
same natures of carriages not corresponding so correctly as they might do, par¬ 
ticularly in the diameters of the wheels and arms of the axletrees, which should 
likewise be as general, throughout the whole, as possible.* The wagons and carts 
being frequently made by contract, are very defective in these points, even to the 
fitting of their head and tail boards, and trifling as this may appear to a workman 
at home, often occasions delays of consequence to the service, or credit of those 
concerned in it abroad. No nation, in point of economy alone, requires so much 
attention to the construction and solid stowage of its military carriages and stores 
as Great Britain does, on account of their frequent embarkations, the expenses of 
which in the course of a war are prodigiously great. 
“ The oxen drew very well upon common ground, but in deep sand generally 
became restive. The large sized mules were excellent in draught when well 
disposed, but from their natural obstinacy, it was found best to intermix them with 
horses. 
“ Foreigners frequently observe the singularity of shafts being preferred in the 
British artillery carriages to poles, made use of by all other nations, as being- 
simpler, lighter, and cheaper; added to which, the experience of having travelled 
over the most difficult features of Europe, and ground of every description with 
them, fully evinces their perfect sufficiency. 
“ A strong instance of the inconvenience of shafts occurred to us at Eahmanieh— 
just as one of the 6-prs. was limbering up, the shaft horse was killed by the enemy 
-—much time was lost in clearing the carriage from him, and the trail harness 
being also damaged, rendered it difficult to apply another in his place. 
“ Flat boats are the best and most useful conveyance for troops and ordnance 
possible; every means therefore should be employed to preserve them from injury; 
though apparently slight, it is surprising what they can bear. In moving the stores 
up Lake Etcho, for the attack of Fort Julian, some of them were dragged three 
miles over sand and mud banks. 
“ The battering pieces for this service were obliged to be landed on the 
open sea beach, and conveyed four miles across the desert and swamps to their 
batteries; 
“ These laborious and difficult operations were frequently repeated during the 
Expedition. Upwards of thirty 24-prs. were disembarked from the ordnance ships, 
conveyed by boats up Aboukir Lake, and landed near the head of it, for the attack 
of Alexandria,f from thence twenty were returned to the ships in Aboukir Bay, 
conveyed to the mouth of the western branch of the Nile, disembarked and taken 
* “ The arms of the axletrees and diameters of the wheels of all carriages immediately connected 
With each other oh service should correspond exactly; that is, the gun and limber, ammunition 
wagon and large carriages perfectly alike in their particulars.” 
f Sevan 24-prs. were employed against Aboukir castle previous to this operation. 
