ACHIEVEMENTS OF FIELD ARTILLERY. 
567 
effectual. While men died, or retreated to securer positions, the guns 
remained in position, and, temporarily overwhelmed, were ever found 
as the fight rolled back uninjured where they bad been left. The 
arm least affected by losses was always ready to do its work as soon as 
the retreating wave allowed it to be again manned, and the iron front 
of the guns ever remained, no matter how much thinner the line grew 
on either side, while the redoubled exertions of their diminishing de¬ 
tachments kept them still supplied with an unslackening fire. It is 
scarcely possible to exaggerate the encouragement that must thus have 
been afforded, but who may accurately measure it, or define its 
value in a narrow paragraph ? 
Note. —In a previous chapter we have recorded the opinion of Decker as to the quality of the 
British Artillery at the close of the Seven Years’ War. That it bore an equally high reputation 
at the close of the Napoleonic era is evidenced by the two following extracts :— 
In the “ Memoires du Marechal Marmont , Due de Raguse ,” Tome 7, page 116, is to be found 
the following passage: 
“ Before leaving Ghent in 1815, previous to Waterloo, I wished to see a company of English 
Horse Artillery which was there. The English material is so different from what we used formerly 
that the comparison was curious, I therefore examined it in detail, and I admired the simplicity 
of the construction, since adopted in France.” 
Mercer also says : 
“ Being on the subject of reviews, I may as well note here one that took place yesterday, which 
I have just heard of, but did not see.” 
“ It seems that we ” (i.e., the Horse Artillery), “ have been the rara avis of the day ever since 
our review. The rapidity of our movements, close wheeling, perfection of our equipment, etc., 
etc., excited universal astonishment and admiration. The consequence of this was an application 
to the Duke for a closer inspection, which he most magnanimously granted, and ordered Boss’s 
Troop out for that purpose. They paraded in the fields near Clichy. The reviewers were, I 
understand, Marechaux de France ; but there was also a great concourse of officers of all nations. 
After the manoeuvres the Troop was dismounted, and a most deliberate inspection of ammunition, 
and even of men’s kits, appointments, shoeing, construction of carriages, etc., took place. I 
believe they were equally astonished and pleased with what they saw, and, as there were several 
among them taking notes, I have no doubt that we shall soon see improvements introduced into 
the ‘ Continental Artillery,’ ” vide Mercer’s Memoir, Vol. II, pages 194, 195. 
