EQUIPMENT OF ARTILLERY.

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SECTION II.-FIELD ARTILLERY.

1. Horse Artillery , explained in Table I., gives the equipment of four descriptionsof batteries for that Service : why the Committee took into consideration the proba-bility of 12 or 9-pounder brass guns being adopted does not appear, and they gaveno opinion upon the subject, further than remarking that they were not originallyproposed when the horse artillery was constituted.

2. But as here suggested, on examining the Tables, it will be seen that, deviatingfrom the original intentions, the heavy equipments lose the first essential of horseartillery,— mobility, and its capability of acting with and supporting cavalry, besidesdiminishing in the application of 12 and 9-pounder guns the supply of ammunitionfrom ^rd to Jth,—a point of great importance to this force, as rapidity of firing andthe consequent necessary supply is next to activity of movement. It is considered,then, that the 6-pounder gun and 12-pounder howitzer should be preferred for theequipment of horse artillery.*

3. The Peace Establishment of this force would appear to comprehend everythingthat is necessary and adapted for an increase to that of War and active Service.

4. Field Foot Artillery may be said, as it now exists, to be in a state of transition,and expressly organized for a Peace Establishment. The Tables II. III. and IV.are, however, framed upon a supposed war equipment, as recommended by theCommittee of Artillery Officers at the close of the last war. f

5. Table II. explains the equipment of four descriptions of foot artillery fieldbatteries, from the 9-pounder brass to the 3 t pounder (both inclusive) of 6 piecesto each battery, or 5 guns and 1 howitzer, which has been deemed the most con-venient combination of men, horses, and ammunition, for that armament, as regardseconomy and management, and is especially adapted to the unit or company uponthe War Establishment.

6. The most efficient battery for this force is unquestionably the 9-pounder withthe 24-pounder howitzer, when the country permits the use of so heavy a field force ;and as mobility is of secondary consideration with foot artillery, and as it is especiallyorganized to act with infantry and support its movements, the effect of that artilleryis the first essential.

7. Table III. is an equipment of reserve field batteries, or batteries of position, thefirst comprising four heavy pieces of iron, three 18-pounder guns, and one 8-inchhowitzer: this force was organized in the latter campaigns of the Peninsular War forthe Attack of Posts, and if associated with the heavy field batteries would makea formidable siege equipment for the Attack of Posts and Places du moment. The12-pounder brass gun and the lately introduced 32-pounder howitzer form apowerful battery of reserve or position, and would at critical periods of actions be ofgreat effect. The 9-pounder brass guns, and 24-pounder howitzers, batteries ofreserve, are for auxiliary batteries, to be attached or posted to infantry for specialpurposes, in addition to those acting with the divisions, and forming part of theirstrength. One, two, or more of these 9-pounder batteries of reserve, placed inbattery under favourable circumstances, would effect more than if divided over thefield of battle, attached to particular bodies where their services might not beavailable from the nature of the ground, or too great distance from the importantpoint; but if kept in hand until the decisive moment arrives, as at Waterloo, when

* Notwithstanding so much has been said on this point, the value of horse artillery may be con-sidered undiminished.—Ed.

t With some slight modifications in the ammunition to suit present arrangements.— Ed.

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