64 
SHOUT NOTES ON PltOFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
To enable this plan to be practically applied in tbe British service, would any 
essential points in training, clothing and equipment be required to deviate from 
the present system ? 
Field artillery being liable to receive draughts of gunners direct from garrison 
and depot brigades, who have not had opportunities of crossing a horse or 
becoming acquainted with their care and management, it follows that the smallest 
knowledge only of mounted duties should be looked for from gunners transferred 
under the present system, to permit of their being tolerably efficient from the 
period of transfer. 
The reflection may cross the mind, that this would only be likely to occur as an 
exceptional case, and that gunners would in the ordinary course of their training 
with established field batteries, learn sufficient equitation to be able to ride on 
an emergency or when expedient. To this it may be stated in reply, that what has 
occurred in recent years when field batteries have been called upon to take the 
field and be maintained there, as in the Crimea, and of still later date whilst 
serving in India, or even nearer home, will without change of system occur again ; 
moreover, that field brigades are at all times liable to receive as effective transfers 
to complete establishments, fill up casualties, &c. gunners from depot brigades, 
where instruction in garrison duties is chiefly given. 
With established field batteries, time and opportunity enable gunners to become 
well acquainted with the care and management of horses, so essential and important, 
and many of them become good horsemen; but as a course of equitation in the 
field artillery has been deemed hitherto alone requisite for non-commissioned 
officers and drivers, gunners do not undergo usually such instruction, and they 
do not receive overalls as part of their clothing, as do the recognized mounted 
ranks—non-commissioned officers and drivers. 
This plan, from the forgoing therefore necessitates,— 
(1) That the gunners of field brigades, or a proportion of them selected, 
should be put through a course of riding drill as well as the drivers, and to the 
same extent as the other mounted branches of the service. 
(2) That those selected for mounted duties should receive mounted kits, in 
the same manner as other mounted men. 
(3) That the establishment now existing at one of the depots for the purpose 
of specially instructing in equitation, &c. drivers intended for field brigades on 
foreign service, or about proceeding there, should be made also available for 
gunners intended for similar field brigades. 
These three requirements would involve some slight change in the present system, 
and a slight increase, “ probably insignificant,” in expenditure, under the head of 
clothing. 
There is yet another minor matter of detail, which would have to be provided 
for in marching and full dress order; the removal of the drivers valises from 
the off lead and centre horses of the gun teams; a convenient and suitable place 
for the carriage of which would have to be selected.* 
It may also be desirable further to remark, that without the first of these require¬ 
ments being properly carried out, efficiency cannot be expected—the rough and 
ready style of men unaccustomed to ride, or even mount, is unsuitable and only 
* With the latest patttern harness, there is hut one description of saddle, both for ride and 
hand horses. 
