304 GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1896. . 
position until he sees that retreat is inevitable, or receives orders from 
the General commanding the division that such is the intention. He 
should then send all spare horses to the artillery in charge of a 
subaltern and rejoin the portion of his column he has sent to the 
rear at a trot, after which he will put as much space between himself 
and the enemy as is compatible with keeping touch with his own 
division. The whole of his action under these circumstances will 
require a very cool head and clear judgment; to retire when he can 
still be of any possible use to the troops in his front would have a 
deleterious effect upon them besides being unsoldierlike, while he may 
also do infinite harm if he remains too long and causes thereby more 
confusion than that which is always inseparable from defeat and 
retreat. 
Case (1a). In the case of a division on the flank of an army the position of the 
‘Ammunition Amamunition Column will naturally be as far from the exposed flank 
Column as possible, and the lines of supply and retreat should be arranged 
accordingly. ‘They should be covered as far as possible by natural 
screens. The officer commanding this Ammunition Column should be 
kept informed of outflanking movements of the enemy. His duties 
will be the same as those of other Divisional Ammunition Columns, 
but the outflanking movement of the enemy, should he not be covered 
by a natural obstacle, will cause him to make preparations for 
retirement earlier than otherwise would be the case. 
Case (la). The action of an Ammunition Column of a division held in reserve 
nea aa wall vary with the circumstances. Should the whole division be held 
reserve. in reserve the action will be similar to case (8), which will be treated 
later. Should the artillery be in action while only the infantry is held 
in hand it will be necessary to make a division of the column, the 
artillery ammunition section or a portion of it being sent to the 
Divisional or Corps Troops Ammunition Column which is nearest this 
artillery. When the infantry is brought into action a certain number 
of S.A.A. carts should be sent to the Ammunition Column nearest to 
this infantry. It will always be easier to find an Ammunition Column 
than a detached portion. As far as possible, the supply of the division 
should be carried out by its own column, not to place an undue strain 
on the other columns which will have been already more severely 
taxed, The head-quarters of this Ammunition Column must be well 
in rear. All empty wagons must return to this to be despatched to 
the Park, and the officer commanding must let no details out of his 
control or there is bound to be confusion. 
Case (1a). Lhe position of Corps Troops Ammunition Column is behind the 
GorpsTr0°Ps Gorps artillery. The action is similar to that of the Division Am- 
Column, munition Column, only that the infantry portion will require little 
attention. Should the corps infantry battalion be detached it should 
be supplied from the nearest Ammunition Column and no detachment 
made from this Ammunition Column. 
Case (la). The Cavalry Brigade Ammunition Column must be kept well to the 
Ammunition TCT ; cavalry will almost invariably bivouac behind the infantry. To 
Column. supply this very mobile arm while in action is hopeless. Supply must 
be carried out after it has been in action, andif possible from the rear, 
