699 
FIRE DISCIPLINE AND SKILL-AT-ARMS. 
BY 
MAJOR P. F. HAMILTON, R.A. 
It is impossible to take up the “ Proceedings " for September, 1892, 
and to read the “ Silver Medal Prize Essay " and the paper “ Skill-at- 
Arms,” by Lieut.-General Sir W. J. Williams, K.C.B., without being 
struck with the thought that as the authors are so much at variance in 
their recommendations there is a danger to be feared if officers of the 
Regiment allow themselves to acquiesce blindly in the theories advanced 
by either author to the exclusion of those of the other. It would almost 
appear as if the author of “ Skill-at-Arms " had read Captain White's 
lecture before writing his paper (which I presume was impossible), and 
had at once sat down and displeased with the, in his opinion, “ irrational 
changes " attempted to be introduced, had set himself to demolish, one 
by one, in order, the constituent parts of “ Fire Discipline," as 
enumerated under the headings in the body of the essay. 
We know, however, that the paper “ Skill-at-Arms " is directed, not 
only against the recommendations contained in either the Gold or 
Silver Medal Prize Essay, but is also a direct challenge to those who, 
in virtue of their position, or who, in obedience to recent instructions 
and orders on the subject, are now endeavouring to perfect the very 
much improved shooting of the Field Artillery. It is for this reason 
that I apprehend the real danger that will exist if Regimental Olficers 
(by whom I mean those who will actually have to solve the problem in 
case of war) cannot satisfy themselves that what is being done is the 
best that can be done, and that all regulations, instructions and drills 
will be framed so as to ensure the best results. 
My object then, in writing to the “ Proceedings," is not to venture 
to criticise either the Prize Essays or “ Skill-at-Arms." I would 
instead, try and reconcile the various excellent suggestions made by 
the authors, with the humble hope that those in authority may see their 
way to issue such modified instructions as will tend to remove the 
impression now existing among many Field Artillery Officers, that the 
present method of proceeding is unsatisfactory. 
In the first place, we must all be agreed that our shooting is improv¬ 
ing, and that there is room for very much more improvement, and that 
such improvement is necessary. 
It seems idle to argue with those who say that we did very well in 
years gone by, and that we shall get on very well without the elaborate 
drill, care and training that our officers and men now receive. 
I make two statements which appear to me to comprise the recom¬ 
mendations of the authors of “ Skill-at-Arms" and of the “ Silver 
Medal Prize Essay " :— 
(1). That the question of handling artillery, and of the personal 
14 . VOL. XIX. 93 
