SHOUT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
65 
retards progress. Inexperienced drivers moving off, frequently are tlie cause of 
delay and mishaps ; what then may not reasonably be anticipated from men altogether 
untrained and without practice, called upon to mount and move off in a hurry, 
over whatever ground may lay in the way. 
The weight of three additional gunners on the gun carriage and limber, taking 
each man at twelve stone, would be 4£ cwt.; this weight distributed, two-thirds 
on the axle-trees of the gun, and one-third on those of the limber, would bring 
the total weight liable to be carried about 27 lbs. in excess of that carried with 
the 24-pr. howitzer, and a weight on the gun axle-trees less by about 2-§ cwt. than 
that of the 9-pr. S.B. bronze gun, and less by about 2 cwt. than that of the 
24-pr. bronze howitzer.'* 
This arrangement for a gun detachment of six, viz. the No. 1 mounted, three men 
on the gun limber (the same number as now laid down to mount on the wagon limbers) 
and two on the gun axle-trees, permits of a detachment of similar strength as 
with the off-horse system being carried with the gun whenever specially required, 
enabling officers in command of batteries of light field guns when called upon to 
move to any particular point with celerity, to be able to comply with the order, 
and not to be dependent on chance, and straggling gun detachments for the means 
of working the guns perhaps in the face of an enemy, after having proceeded at an 
increased pace. 
The following may be taken as nearly about the bearings on the back band of a 
shaft horse; the limber packed in marched order, with knapsacks and great coats 
of two limber gunners, strapped on in rear :— 
12-pr. Armstrong gun, 8 cwt. 
Limber alone, gun unlimbered . 94 lbs. 
Limber, with gun limbered up .. 81 « 
a n 2 men mounted . 99 u 
n a 3 n . 118 a 
n n 3 it one facing the rear . 100 « 
a a 3 ii a fourth on trail. 107 n 
n n 3 ii and inclining bodies forward 133 u 
The third limber gunner increases the bearing about nineteen pounds, when 
seated in the ordinary way, and when seated with his back to the two others, by 
one pound; in fact, counteracting any increase by a re-adjustment of the balance 
of the limber, and bearing on the back band. These bearings are under those 
given in the “ Hand Book for Field Service,” 1867, and may partly be accounted 
for from the gunners in the latter case, having their knapsacks on when seated on 
the limbers, which would have a tendency to cause their bodies to be inclined 
forward, as well as increasing the weight of the men, and throwing additional 
strain on the front of the limber. 
The plan of carrying two gunners on the gun axle-trees is practised by the 
Danish and Prussian Artillery,! a ^ so by the Belgians ; it has been also the custom 
in Bengal for many years. The special Committee of Artillery Officers, which was 
held at Meerut in 1859-60, to consider the organization, detail, and equipment of 
Artillery in India; three members, including the President,$ belonging to the Koyal 
Artillery, the other three members to the Bengal Artillery, have recorded 
* Hand Book for Field Service, 1867. 
f Professional Tour of Officers, It.A. 1865. 
J The late Colonel Sir George Barker. 
