447 
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
BY 
MAJOR E. S. MAY, R.A. 
In addressing some officers of the Regiment at the practice camp at 
Delhi last winter, Lord Roberts pointed out that no single record existed 
in which an account of what Artillery had accomplished could be found, 
and suggested that some Artillery officer should make good the defici¬ 
ency. In response to this invitation I have ventured, in all humility, 
and fully realising my deficiencies, to write these pages. To tell the 
achievements of an arm whose proud motto is “ Everywhere,” to 
examine its performances in all places, at all periods, and in all actions 
is so vast an undertaking that I confess it seemed at first hopeless for 
me to attempt it. I was encouraged, however, by the thought that 
even if my efforts were inadequate I might yet have effected something 
if I caused others, perhaps better qualified, to read, and at least I would 
give some who were away from libraries a chance of hearing some 
details of deeds that are often mentioned but with which the generality 
of us have no more than a merely nominal acquaintance. 
The difficulties which have most hampered me have been the fear of 
protesting too much, and the uncertainty as to how much of the general 
course of a battle to relate. Artillery has fought on so many fields, 
and has so seldom failed to distinguish itself, that, with a little special 
pleading, instances of its distinction might be indefinitely multiplied. 
I have, therefore, only adduced such achievements as seemed to leap to 
the eyes at once, and have only made a claim where I thought the 
verdict would be unanimously in our favour. Such are occasions on 
which guns have intervened with decisive effect in the combat, have 
had a predominant voice in the issue of the day, and have achieved 
something beyond what is implied by a bald compliance with their 
recognised duty. 
The accounts of battles have been limited so as only to touch upon 
general events sufficiently to render the part played by the guns intel¬ 
ligible, and to give an idea of the circumstances which called for their 
employment. If, therefore, sometimes I appear to have overlooked an 
important incident in a fight, it may be that I have done so deliberately, 
because it was not connected with the action of guns. Occasionally, 
also, I have omitted to notice what some may regard as a brilliant feat 
achieved by artillery from a wish to put forward only what might be 
considered salient examples. 
PART I. 
The Era of Frederick. 
The value of Artillery is usually stated to lie in the increased range 
compared to other weapons with which the arm is endowed, and it is 
obvious that in this respect it enjoys unique advantages. There is, 
9. YOL. XIX. 60 
