GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1886, 307 
on imperfectly reconnoitred ground. The system of supply will be 
similar, but the actual work more straining. The extent to which the 
Ammunition Columns may have to sacrifice their mobility and their 
existence must know no bounds. 
In this case it may also be sometimes advisable to leave some of 
the A. and S. wagons with both artillery and infantry ammunition 
some four or five miles in rear, only taking forward a limited quantity, 
but all ammunition wagons, 8.A.A. carts, means of repair, spare gun 
carriages and spare horses must go to the front. The rear portion 
can be called up as the situation develops, and, in case of a rapid 
defeat, the loss will be minimised. In the event of success, the officer 
commanding Ammunition Column will act as described in case (1), the 
night after the battle being for him the most busy time. Hvery nerve 
must be strained to complete the infantry and cavalry in ammunition 
and horses for their regimental transport, and the artillery in ammu- 
nition, horses, stores, equipment and men. The distances which will 
have to be traversed and the difficulty in finding mixed up units being 
both greater than in the previous cases, the completion of this task 
will take many hours from the night. When all is finished, the Am- 
munition Columns must themselves be inspected, a convoy of empties 
sent to the rear and demands on the Park made out, with a return of 
the ammunition expended. 
The Parks generally, moving as they do from seven to fifteen miles Parks, 
in rear of the army, are not able to independently do much for the 
Ammunition Columns. ‘They have to supply demands as they arrive, 
and in turn fill up their own deficiencies. It may often be found 
possible to use local country transport when the Park becomes deficient 
in mobility owing to demands made upon it. The same principle must 
be borne in mind as with the Ammunition Columns; that so long as 
the Ammunition Columns are complete it does not signify to what 
extent the Park has to suffer; a perfect Park is useless unless the 
columns in front are supplied. The efficiency of the Park must come 
from the rear, and not be secured by the sacrifice of the troops in front. 
All issues of ammunition, stores, etc. should always be noted in Issues and 
writing and, if possible, receipts received, a simple form being used “°°? 
during and after action. A pocket-book of waterproof paper ruled 
thus would be convenient :— 
Receipt. Delivery Note. 
UIkas{tterdl 6 45.000c00 000000 808.900 00800000 00c Received from O.C. 5th Issued by O.C. 5th Diy. 
MUTE c6 oon c00 ony SLES FOSID. |] IDG, Amin Coll = Amm. Col.— 
DDEHIB.00 ex 000 000 Aly Po OE 2 Amm. wagons complete, 
2 Amm, wagons complete, A. Grey, Lieut, R.A 
6 , Lieut. R.A., 
To order of Licut.-Col. Smith— 
2 Amm., wagons complete. T, Atkins, Seay samara §C ol 
: N.B.—Received 2 empt 
N.B.—Received two empty Q.-M.-Sergt. R.A., wagons with small sess d 
wagons with small stores. 27, 2. 96. 47th FB. AG. 
rer 
All question of complicated and bulky receipt and delivery vouchers 
are entirely out of place, but so long as no time is lost, much incon- 
