62 
SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SEEJECTS. 
clearing the way for other arms; occupying secure positions on a flank, in advance* * * § 
or commanding points without obstruction. 
Artillery moving in a mass towards the front, of from 30 to 40 guns, four 
batteries of field artillery and two batteries of horse artillery, with the view of 
coming into action at a crisis, or breaking any part of an enemy’s line. Should 
they be formed into two separate columns of attack, the batteries of field artillery 
moving only at a walk would if at all opposed by the enemy’s artillery be liable 
from the prolonged exposure to suffer considerable losses in guns alone, previous to 
deploying and unlimbering. The battle of Wagram may be cited in support of 
this, where out of sixty pieces of artillery which the French in the first instance 
advanced to the front for the purpose of breaking the Austrian centre, fifteen 
pieces were dismounted before unlimbering. Six foot and four horse artillery 
batteries composed this mass; the latter we are told advanced at a trot, but the 
former at a walk.'* 
Jomini says, “ When the cannoneers can mount the boxes it may have greater 
mobility and be advanced further to the front.”f “ It would frequently be impossible 
to attack an enemy if he had sufficient warning of the design to prepare to oppose 
it.” .... “The general engagement once begun,” says Napoleon, “he 
who has the address to bring suddenly and unknown to the enemy an unexpected 
amount of artillery to bear upon the most important points, is sure to carry them. 
This is the secret of * la grand tactigue .’ ” X 
“ There is usually great advantage in keeping our batteries constantly shifting 
their position, for then they have the effect of a surprise by opening on the enemy 
at some unexpected point; they make the enemy believe our guns to be more 
numerous than they really are; they are in less danger of being captured.”§ 
Changing position must depend upon circumstances, but the advantage of possessing 
the means of doing so with celerity , that is, faster than men can proceed on foot, 
can hardly be disputed. “ The movements of a battery in the field should be as 
rapid as possible, for while moving it is helpless and exposed.” § The effect of its 
fire is also withheld during the movement. 
“ Considering the progress made by artillery in mobility and range, late French 
writers of authority assert that to associate it intimately in future with infantry 
would fetter its power and diminish its utility.” |] The German campaigns of 1866 
testify to its importance and the support expected, from the great numbers of guns 
employed and brought into use on both sides. Again, quoting Colonel Hamley, 
“To gain from this mobility its greatest effect, field batteries should to a certain 
extent be converted into horse artillery, by which the greatest possible rapidity of 
manoeuvre would be attained, batteries would constantly shift their position, so as 
always to take the line diagonally or in flank, and by rapid retreat could baffle a 
counter attack.” 
Taubert says on this matter “ that the men should be mounted in an engage¬ 
ment, “ in order to increase the mobility of foot artillery to the utmost on the 
field of battle both in advancing and coming into a position for action, as well as 
in retreating when foot artillery in its moment of need, is endangered in its 
* Tauber t. 
f Jomini’s “ Art of War.” Chapter VII. Art. 46, par. 2. 
X Hamley’s “ Operations of War,” p. 381. 
§ Lippit, “Tactical use of the Three Arms,” pp. 71, 72. 
|| Hamley’s “ Operations of War,” pp. 395, 396. 
