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INSTRUCTION FOR FIELD ARTILLERY.
THE text applies especially to companies serving mounted batteries. Such variations as are required to adapt it to horse artillery are noted, and the portions applicable to that branch alone are so indicated.
In the artillery, as no two men of a piece, cannoneers or drivers, perform the same duties, each should be specially assigned to that position for which he is best fitted.
The men, whether cannoneers or drivers, are permanently attached to pieces, and will not be transferred except by order of the captain, or temporarily to equalize detachments on drill or parade.
The cannoneers assigned to the service of a gun constitute a gun detachment, and are commanded by the gunner. When the company is paraded, dismounted, these detachments fall in each on the right of the men of its own piece-the cannoneers taking their places according to their numbers in the detachment.
When the cannoneers and drivers attached to a piece are assembled in rank and file formation, they constitute a platoon, which is commanded by the sergeant who is chief of the piece. The drivers form on the left, and the platoon is divided into detachments of the same size as the gun detachment, the men being numbered in the same manner.
Two platoons constitute a section, which is commanded by a lieutenant.
The company is composed of two, three, or four sections. The instruction laid down is applicable to either case, but is given for three sections. When there are four sections, the company is further divided into divisions, each composed of two sections, and commanded by its ranking chief of section. The company will not be manoeuvred by divisions unless circumstances require it, the section or platoon being the most convenient subdivision for manoeuvring.
The company is commanded by a captain. A subaltern, in addition to the chiefs of sections, is attached to it. He performs the staff duties of the battery, and commands the line of caissons in the battery formations. In addition to the platoons, there should be attached to the company one sergeant-major or first sergeant; one quartermaster-sergeant; two buglers or trumpeters; one guidon; and such number of artificers as the service of the battery may require. In the absence of the lieutenant chief of the line of caissons, he is replaced by the first sergeant.
(PLATE 5.) The platoons form when in line in the order of their pieces in park, and touching each other. The two forming a section are designated as the right and left platoons, according to their actual positions with reference to each other in the sections.
When necessary, surplus men may be transferred from one platoon to another, so that there shall be but one incomplete detachment in the company, which should not be on the flank. When an incomplete detachment consists of an odd number of men, the vacancy is left in the rear rank, in the next file but one from the left, that number being omitted in calling off.
To prevent the formation of incomplete detachments, artificers may be assigned as Nos. 8; or the permanent chiefs of caissons may be assigned as gunners to detachments, other than the gun detachment, and posted 1 yard behind their right files.
When the company is formed for parade purposes, and it is not desired to manoeuvre by detachments, the platoons may be equalized and regarded as the units. They are then formed as single detachments, the chiefs of caissons being posted as the front rank men of the left files of the platoons. The men call off from No. 1 to No. 8, as if divided into detachments of eight men each.
The sections are designated according to their actual positions inline, as the right, the centre, and the left sections. If there are four, they are designated according to actual position, as the right, the right-centre, the left-centre, and the left sections.
When the company consists of four sections, the right and right-centre sections constitute the right division; the left and left-centre sections, the left division.
None of the designations of the platoons in a section, nor of sections and divisions in the company, are permanent. They shift from one to the other, according to the actual positions of the subdivisions with reference to each other.
POSTS OF THE OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, ETC.
(PLATE 5.) The captain commanding goes wherever his presence may be necessary, or his commands best heard. His position is, in the order in line, 4 yards in front of the centre of the company; in the order in column, or when faced by a flank, 4 yards outside the marching flank, opposite the centre of the company.
The lieutenants commanding sections, in line, or in column of sections, are 2 yards in front of the centres of their respective sections; in columns of platoons or of detachments, or when faced by a flank, they are 2 yards outside the marching flank, and opposite the centres of their respective sections; except that when faced by a flank, the chief of the leading section takes his place at the side of the leading file.
In column of divisions, the ranking chief of section in each division is 4 yards in front of the centre of his division; the other chief of section keeps his position of 2 yards in front of the centre of his section.
The lieutenant, chief of caissons, is, in line, 4 yards behind the centre of the company; in column, or faced by flank, he is 4 yards outside of the pivot flank, and opposite the centre of the company.
The sergeants, chiefs of pieces, when in line, in column of sections, or faced by a flank, are on the right of the gun detachments of their respective platoons, in the front rank. In column of platoons, or of detachments, they are 1 yard in front of the centre of their platoons or of their gun detachments.
The corporals, gunners, when in line, or column of sections, are I yard behind the right files of their respective gun detachments. In columns of platoons, or detachments, they are on the right of the gun detachments. When the column has a detachment, other than the gun detachment, at its head, the gunner of the platoon to which it belongs will place himself 1 yard in front of its centre, unless the chief of caisson of that piece is acting as its file-closer; in which case the latter leads the column. When faced by a flank, they face with the company, and keep their relative positions.
The corporals, chiefs of caissons, are in their places in the ranks as Nos. 8 of the gun detachments, or as the front rank men on the left of their platoons, or they may be assigned as gunners to detachments, other than the gun detachments, in the case already provided for to prevent the formation of incomplete detachments.
The first sergeant, in line, is on the right of the company, in a line with the front rank, and 1 yard from it; in column, he is on the marching flank, 1 yard outside the section, or other subdivision, nearest to him when in line. When faced by flank, he faces with the company.
The quartermaster-sergeant occupies positions on the left of the company, corresponding to those of the first sergeant on the right, whether in line, in column, or faced by a flank.
The buglers or trumpeters, in line, are on the right of the first sergeant, in one rank, and 2 yards from him; in column, they are 6 yards in front or rear of the subdivision next them in line, according as that subdivision forms the head or rear of the column. When the company faces by flank, they face with it.
The artificers occupy positions on the left of the company corresponding to those of the musicians on the right, whether in line, in column, or faced by a flank.
The guidon forms with the musicians, and on their left, or takes such position as the captain may prescribe.
When in tie movements or manoeuvres, the subdivisions originally on the right and left become those of the left and right, the non-commissioned staff, musicians, and artificers remain with the subdivisions near which they were originally formed, and take corresponding positions in line, etc. If, for instance, the line should be formed faced in the opposite direction, by a reverse of the sections, to the right or left, they would reverse at the same time, and the line would then be formed as follows-from right to left: the artificers; quartermaster-sergeant; company; first sergeant; guidon, and musicians. The proper distances being taken from the company.
The manoeuvres of infantry, cavalry, and artillery are regulated by the same general principles; but as the infantry constitutes the main body of an army, its movements necessarily control those of the other arms. In this work the infantry forms of command have been adopted for the artillery as far as the difference between the two services would permit.
A battery executes nearly the same manoeuvres as a battalion of infantry, but with less precision. For its elements cannot be moved with the same accuracy as platoons of well-instructed infantry. In some respects the exercises prescribed for field batteries exceed those required for the purposes of war. But they should be regarded as a study which it is advantageous to extend beyond its ordinary applications; so that the most difficult circumstances may not present anything that is unknown, or that may lead to the commission of serious errors.
No rules are laid down for the application of field battery manoeuvres to the evolutions of troops of different arms. Although all arms are governed by the same general principles, each has an appropriate code for its own maneuvres, which is not extended to the general movements of other troops. The best, and perhaps the only way, for an artillery officer to manage his battery properly, when manoeuvring with other troops, is to understand the infantry and cavalry manoeuvres; so that he may at once comprehend the command of the general officer and determine the position which the artillery should take. No rules can be laid down for conducting batteries to the positions they are to occupy; for the order, gait, and direction of each battery are modified by the configuration of the ground to be passed over, as well as by the march of the infantry and cavalry. The artillery, without being obliged to follow step by step all the manoeuvres of the infantry and cavalry, proceeds to the execution of its orders in the easiest and most expeditious manner. The proper employment of this arm, according to the situation of the ground and the circumstances of the case, must ever be kept in view in all orders issued to it.
The battery of manoeuvre is divided into sections, each being composed of two pieces and two caissons. The column of sections is not only found to be sufficient for the purposes of manoeuvre, but much more convenient than the column of pieces or half batteries. The column of pieces requires too great an extension of the battery and too much time for its evolutions. In the column of half batteries one chief of section is deprived of his command; and, when formed at full distance, the depth of the column is essentially the same as in that of sections. Moreover, when this column is used for manoeuvre, the pieces of the same section cannot be kept long together in any part of the battery. These objections to the column of half batteries do not, however, apply to the eight-gun battery, which can be manoeuvred by half batteries without depriving a chief of section of his command, or separating the pieces of the same section. Habitually this battery will be manoeuvred by sections, but when necessary, or expedient, it may be manoeuvred by half batteries.
Each piece and its caisson are kept in a fixed relation to each other, and may be said to constitute a unit. They are separated only in the formations in battery. This principle simplifies the manoeuvres greatly, and renders it generally unnecessary to give separate commands to the caissons.
No notice is taken of inversions in any of the orders, either in column, in line, or in battery. The most simple and rapid formations are always adopted.
The passage of carriages is used as an elementary principle in the manoeuvres. In the formations in battery it is indispensable for changing the front of a line; and when executed seasonably, as a preparatory movement, it greatly facilitates all the formations. It may be executed with the same, or an increased gait.
But one wheel is admitted. The pivot carriage preserves its gait, while the others regulate theirs according to their distances from it; the guide being always on the pivot flank.
No general or special guides are used. The chiefs of pieces, and in horse artillery the chiefs of caissons also, are the guides of the carriages to which they are attached. And each becomes the guide of the line or column whenever his carriage occupies the position to which the movements are referred.
The cautionary command Attention is not embraced among those required for the manoeuvres, but may be used at the discretion of the captain. The commands of the chiefs of sections are more numerous, and those of the captain are more frequently repeated than in other arms of service, on account of the noise of carriages and extent of command.
As a general rule, the cannoneers should mount the ammunition chests only for rapid movements and when within range of the enemy's guns they should dismount, unless important considerations require a continuation of the rapid gait. The explosion of a caisson when the cannoneers are mounted might destroy many men.
The three orders, in column, in line, and in battery, are so established as to occupy the least possible space, and to require the least ground for their formations. In both kinds of artillery, whether in column or in line, the distance between two carriages, or between a carriage and detachment, is 2 yards. The interval is so calculated that the column may be readily formed into line. The intervals thus resulting are different in the two kinds of artillery; but when they manoeuvre together, the carriages of foot artillery take the intervals and distances belonging to those of horse artillery.
In the order in battery the distances are the same for both kinds of artillery. This order presents an arrangement which the exigencies of war habitually vary. But the rule requiring the limbers and caissons to face towards the enemy, should be departed from only while firing in retreat.
In that formation in battery which requires the caisson and detachment of horse cannoneers to pass the piece, the detachment does not pass until after the caisson; and the cannoneers do not dismount until the detachment has reached its place in battery. The first part of this arrangement arises from the fact, that the passage of the caissons is a preparatory step, which should be completed before the command In battery is given. The second part is intended to avoid the difficulty which would be experienced by the horse holders in leading their horses, and the inconvenience and danger of halting near the piece, and thus grouping all the horses together at the moment of coming into battery.
Two methods have been adopted for the formations in battery to the front: one requiring the pieces to be thrown forward, the other requiring the caissons to be thrown to the rear. The first method is equally adapted to light and heavy batteries. By this method the pieces and caissons are rapidly separated; and the commands may be given while the battery is moving, so as to leave the caissons at their proper distance in rear of the line on which the pieces are to form. The second method is not adapted to heavy batteries, on account of the difficulty of turning the pieces about by hand. But with light pieces it is advantageous when the battery is already formed upon the line of battle, or when the head of a column which is to be formed into battery is very near that line. In horse artillery the first method of coming into action is considered the best; for, while the cannoneers are dismounting, the pieces are moved forward and wheeled about by the horses, so that nothing remains for the cannoneers but to unlimber and commence firing. Moreover, when the command for this formation is given, the detachments halt at once on the ground which their horses are to occupy in battery.
COMPOSITION OF THE BATTERY OF MANOEUVRE.
(PLATES 28, 29.) The Battery of Manoeuvre is composed of six field pieces and six caissons, properly manned, horsed, and equipped. It is sometimes reduced to four or increased to eight pieces. The tactics is adapted to either number, but six pieces are supposed.
Each carriage is drawn by four or six horses, and the officers and men are as follows:-
One captain, who commands the battery.
Three lieutenants, each commanding a section; the section of the junior lieutenant should be in the centre.
One lieutenant commanding the line of caissons.
When half batteries are formed, they are commanded by the two lieutenants highest in rank.
Six mounted sergeants, each charged with guiding and superintending a piece.
Twenty-four, or thirty-six drivers, being one to each pair of horses.
Six detachments of cannoneers, each containing nine men in mounted batteries, and eleven in horse batteries. This number includes two corporals, one of whom is chief of the caisson; and the other the gunner, has charge of the gun and its detachment. In each detachment of horse artillery two of the cannoneers are horse holders.
Two trumpeters or buglers.
One guidon.
The battery is divided into three sections, denominated the right, left, and centre sections. Should there be four sections, they are denominated the right, right-centre, left-centre, and left sections. A section contains two pieces and two caissons, and in each section the pieces are denominated right piece and left piece.
The battery is also divided into half batteries, denominated right half battery, and left half battery.
The word piece applies to the gun or howitzer, either with or without its limber; and sometimes to the piece and caisson together.
The front of a battery, in the order in battery, is the front of the line of pieces. In all other formations it is the front of the first line of drivers.
The right or left of a battery is always that of the actual front, whether the pieces or caissons lead.
The interval is a space measured parallel to the front.
The distance is a space measured in depth, or perpendicular to the front.
The measures of intervals and distances are given in yards, and express the vacant spaces between the component parts of the battery.
(PLATE 25.) The object of a right or left wheel is to give the carriage a direction perpendicular to the one it had before. In executing it, the leading horse on the pivot flank describes a quadrant (5 yards) of a circle whose radius is 3-25 yards, and then resumes the direct march. The horse coupled to him increases his gait and conforms to his movement, resuming the direct march at the same time. The centre and wheel horses follow in the tracks of their leaders.
(PLATE 25.) The object of a right or left oblique is to give the carriage a direction inclined 450 to the right or left of the one it had before. In executing it the leading horse on the pivot flank describes the eighth of a circle whose radius is 3 25 yards, and then resumes the direct march. The horse coupled to him increases his gait, conforms to his movement, and resumes the direct march at the same time. The other horses follow in the tracks of their leaders. The oblique of a carriage is in fact onehalf of a right or left wheel.
(PLATE 25.) The passage applies to two carriages in file, and its object is to pass the rear carriage to the front. To execute it the rear carriage inclines to the right, passes the one in front, and takes its proper distance in front by inclining to the left. The reciprocal gaits of the carriages are regulated by commands.
(PLATE 26.) The object of an about is to establish the carriage on the same ground, but in the opposite direction, having the heads of the leading horses where the hinder part of the carriage was before. For the easy execution of this movement at all gaits, and with a carriage of four wheels, all the horses incline at once to the right as they advance, and so move, according to their distances from the pole, as not to interfere with the wheel horses which really govern the carriage. (See No. 420.)
In horse artillery the detachment of cannoneers follows the piece, which advances 7 yards after finishing the about, in order that the heads of the leading horses may reach the position occupied by the rear of the detachment.
(PLATE 26.) The countermarch applies to two carriages of different kinds in file. Its object is to make them both perform the about and to establish them on the ground they occupied before, but in the opposite direction and with the same carriage in front. In performing it the carriage of the front rank executes an about at once, and moves to the place which was occupied by the other carriage. The latter follows the track of the former, executes the about on the same ground, and takes its place.
(PLATE 25.) There is but one kind of wheel, which is that with a moving pivot. The carriage on the pivot flank wheels in such a manner as to unmask the ground where the movement commenced. When the wheel is made with a section front, the pivot carriage describes a quadrant (5 yards) of a circle whose radius is 3-25. With a battery front the pivot carriage describes a quadrant (22 yards) of a circle whose radius is 14.
(PLATE 49.) If the wheel be ordered from a halt, the pivot carriage moves at a walk; if on the march, it preserves its gait. In all cases the marching wing regulates its gait in such a manner as to remain the shortest possible time in rear of the line, without urging the horses unnecessarily. In all wheels the guide is on the pivot flank, and the intervals are preserved from that flank.
In mounted batteries the chiefs of pieces act as guides, marching for that purpose with the leading carriages.
In horse artillery they are also guides, except when the caissons lead and their chiefs are mounted; these chiefs becoming the guides in that case. The guide of the battery is that of the carriage to which the movements are referred. The alignment is made on the drivers of the wheel horses, except in battery, when it is made on the hind wheels.
In giving commands the strength of voice should be proportioned to the length of the line. When a chief of section does not hear the commands, he regulates his movement by what he sees executed by an adjoining chief.
The command Attention is given by the captain at the commencement and at each renewal of the exercise; but afterwards it is given only when he thinks it necessary to fix attention.
Trumpet or bugle signals are used instead of commands when ever they can be advantageously introduced. The signals and calls in use will be found in their appropriate place at the end of the work. (PLATES 81 to 88 inclusive.)
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