68 
SHOUT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
With the parallel order of battle, in which the two hostile lines are simply 
brought into direct contact, by the advance of one line towards the other, without 
any point or wing being selected as the decisive point to be attacked, with the 
main strength of the assailants; the amount of tactical movements which would be 
required from either of the arms would not be likely to be important. A combined 
forward movement under cover of the divisional artillery, from favourable positions, 
without any special portion of the opposing line to be broken through, would 
complete usually the dispositions for the attack, in the parallel order. 
The concave and convex orders,* * * § the former of which would hardly be adopted, 
unless to oppose an enemy who might use the convex or salient order of attack— 
when, by advancing the two wings, the concave order would be assumed by the 
force awaiting the attack;—the convex order being assumed after the passage of a 
river, or in an endeavour to break an opponent’s centre. With these orders of 
battle echeloned respectively on both wings, or on the centre, opportunities 
according to the amount of opposition met with, should present themselves, 
requiring changes of position, taking the opponents obliquely by the divisional 
batteries, or by batteries assembled and massed with sufficient celerity, when 
necessary to bear on an important point. 
The oblique order of battlef for the purpose of turning an enemy’s flank, bringing 
sufficient force to overthrow one of the wings, would be also considerably 
strengthened by a strong force of artillery supporting the head of the attack, 
suddenly occupying points—principally on the inner flank—and opening fire, under 
the protection of escorts, placed so as to generally conform to the disposition of 
the attacking force, taking their opponents by a cross fire, again limbering up 
and continuing the attack elsewhere. The dispositions of the artillery of the 
army attacked would also of necessity have to be speedily made. A change 
of front of the wing assailed, under the immediate cover of its own divisional 
artillery; reinforced subsequently by available batteries—" heavy and light ”— 
quickly collected and moved towards the assailed flank, to oppose the full force of 
the attack. 
Here then, in these modern methods of offensive and defensive battles, operating 
against a wing,J against the centre, § or against both wings, the artillery on both 
sides may have most important functions to perform ; dependent as materially on 
their mobility, as on their weight of metal and calibre. 
53. Resistance of the Air to the Motion of Projectiles.|| 
The following Tables, derived from experiments made with Professor Bashforth’s 
Chronograph during the present year, shew the connection between initial velocity 
and weight of charge for the 9-in. M.L. rifled gun with the service shot; and the 
velocities of the service shot for the 9-in., 8-in., and 7-in. M.L. rifled guns at 
intervals of 100 feet, supposing the shot to move in a straight line. 
Their use may be seen from the following examples :— 
Ex. 1. The velocity of a 7-in. service shot being 1500 f.s. at some observed 
point of its path, what will be its velocity at a point 1000 yds. distant? 
* Adopted by the Federal Army, strongly posted, at the battle of Gettysburg, 
f The celebrated battle of Leuthen by Frederick the Great. 
X The Prussian Eight at Ligny and the English Left at Waterloo, were first attacked by 
Napoleon. 
§ This form, aided by one on a wing, gave Wagram and Ligny to Napoleon. 
|! Communicated by Captain Ford, K.A. 
