CO-OPERATION BETWEEN GUNS AND CAVALRY. 217 
for the moment infantry may be left out of our calculations. What is 
the first thing that will occur after the news that the enemy is close by 
has been received? The cavalry will be formed in a formation pre- 
paratory to attack. How long willit be before the division is ready to 
move forward? I suppose perhaps sometimes as much as twenty 
minutes, but I speak with diffidence in the presence of so many high 
authorities on cavalry. Now during that time it may well happen that 
the hostile batteries will come into action, and will try and cannonade 
the squadrons while more or less stationary. Isaid just now that Horse 
Artillery were to go to decisive ranges, but the hostile cavalry are pro- 
bably not in sight, as yet we are only in a preliminary stage of the 
combat, and the guns must cover the deployment of their friends if 
it is interfered with by fire. Therefore they will usually now have to 
engage the hostile batteries. But remember they are not to do so in 
the same spirit in which they act when they are working as Corps 
Artillery. They are to be prepared to move off rapidly again when 
their friends are ready, and are never to be drawn into a protracted 
artillery duel. And the same rule, it may be as well to point out, 
applies to any other occasions during the earlier part of the action when 
collisions between advanced or rear-guards—little squalls that skim 
before the storm—may draw fire from the guns (applause). 
By the time the three lines are formed the hostile cavalry will pro- 
bably be in view, our leader will move forward to reconnoitre, the 
officer commanding the artillery will accompany him, and the guns will 
be left on the protected flank moving a little in rear of the first line. 
All the guns should be held usually together in one mass. They will 
thus accomplish most by their fire, and will interfere least with the free 
movement of the cavalry. 
Bear in mind, gentlemen, that events now are rushing on with be- 
wildering variation and rapidity. The two hostile bodies are closing on 
one another as active cavalry only in an opencountry canmove. There 
is not much time to think, and none for alteration of plans. Our leader 
will quickly form his decision, choose the position for the guns (aided 
in his choice by the artillery commander), and will send him to take 
command of his arm either at once or at any rate when the trails touch 
the ground. In very many cases the position selected will be the rising 
ground from which the reconnaissance is made. Often it will be a 
favourable site nearer to the foe. I have heard the question as to 
whether the guns should advance straight forward or move slightly to 
a flank hotly argued. Let us waste no time over such contentions or 
pedantries. In nine cases out of ten on the actual field there is only 
one place which is obviously the best for artillery, and the guns will go 
to that place whether it be a little on the flank or not. But the ideal 
move for them is nevertheless straight to the front, because thus they 
will get to work quickest, and never forget that in combats such as we 
are now discussing the artillery have at first to make a race of it to 
forestall that of the enemy. 
Again however I must add a saving clause such as all rules in war 
demand. The cavalry is the principal arm, the predominant partner in 
the union of which I am now speaking, and the artillery must not for- 
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