Chapter I: Part 1

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Transcriber’s Notes:

Underscores “_” before and after a word or phrase indicate _italics_
in the original text.
Equal signs “=” before and after a word or phrase indicate =bold=
in the original text.
Small capitals have been converted to SOLID capitals.
Illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs.
Old or antiquated spellings have been preserved.
Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.

THE
BOMBARDIER,
AND
_Pocket Gunner._

By
_RALPH WILLETT ADYE_,
CAPTAIN,
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.

First _American_,
from the Second _London_ Edition.

PRINTED FOR
E. LARKIN, No. 47, CORNHILL, _BOSTON_,
_BY WILLIAM GREENOUGH_,
CHARLESTOWN.
1804.

TO THE
_Junior Officers_
OF THE
_Royal Regiment of Artillery_:
WITH A HOPE OF ALSO
MEETING THE APPROBATION
OF THE
_SENIOR OFFICERS OF THAT CORPS_.
R. W. ADYE.

INDEX.

Page.
_PREFACE_, i
_AMMUNITION_—For _Small Arms_—How carried, 7
— For Artillery, see _Artillery_.
_AMMUZETTE_—Its Length, Weight, &c. 8
_APRONS_ of Lead—Weight and Dimensions of, 8
_ARMS, Small_—Their Weight and Dimensions,
Balls for their Proof, Service, &c.
_ARTILLERY_—1st. _For the Field._
— Divided into Battalion Guns, Park and Horse Artillery, 10
— Ammunition and Stores for one Field Piece of each Nature, 11
— Manner of carrying the Ammunition and Stores, 15
— Load for a common Artillery Ammunition Waggon, 16
— Load for a Horse Artillery Ammunition Waggon, 17
— Proportion of Artillery, Ammunition, and Carriages for
four French Armies, 18
— Proportion of Ammunition carried with French Artillery,
and with that of other Powers, 20
— Movements and Positions of Battalion Guns, 21
— Movements and Positions of Artillery of the Park, 24
— Line of March for Three Brigades of Field Artillery, 28
— 2d. _Artillery and Ammunition for a Siege_—
Considerations in estimating them, 29
— Proportion demanded for the Siege of Lisle, 31
— Arrangement and Position at a Siege, 33
— 3d. _Artillery and Ammunition for the Defence_
_of a Fortified Place_—Manner
of estimating them, 37
— Arrangement of the Artillery, 39
— Expenditure of Ammunition, 42
_AXLETREES_— Dimensions of, in Wood or Iron, 44
_BALLS_—of Lead—Manner of Packing them, 45
— Manner of finding their Diameters and Weights
_BARRELS_ for Gunpowder; their Dimensions and Content
— Budge do. 46
_BASKETS_, _Ballast_—Dimensions of 46
_BATTERIES_—Dimensions of, for Guns, Mortars, and Howitzers 46
— For Ricochet firing, 48
— For the Defence of a Coast, 49
— Manner of estimating the Quantity of Materials for, 50
— Tools required for the Construction of 52
— Estimate of the Quantity of Earth which may be removed
in a given time, 53
_BEDS_—Dimensions and Weight of, for Mortars and Guns, 54
_BOXES_, for Ammunition—Dimensions and Weight of,
when filled and empty; and the Number of
Rounds contained by 55
_BOMB KETCH_—Instruction for the Management of a, in Action, 56
— Proportion of Stores for, 58
_BREACH_—Manner of forming one; and Time required
to make it practicable, 60
_BRIDGE_—Manner of laying one, of Pontoons;
Weight it will bear; and Precautions
required in passing over it, 62
_CAMPS_—Manner of laying out the front of,
for Infantry and Cavalry, 65
— Distribution of the Depth of, 66
— In a confined Situation, 69
_CARCASSES_—Composition for, 70
— Valencienne’s Composition, for making Shells
answer the Purpose of
— Dimensions and Weight of, 71
— Manner of preventing their being destroyed
by the Explosion
_CARRONADES_—Dimensions and Weight of, 72
— Ranges with Shot and Shells from
_CARRIAGES_—Weight of, for Field Service, 73
— Dimensions of Axletrees for, 75
— Diameters of Wheels for, 76
—Dimensions and Weight of standing 77
_CARTRIDGES_—Weight and Dimensions of,
for Guns, Mortars, and Howitzers 78
— For Small Arms 79
— For Musquets by different Nations 79
_CHAMBERS_—Experiments upon the best Form of, for Mortars 80
_CHARGES_—For different Natures of Guns and Carronades 81
— Lessened when Cylinder Powder is used 81
— of French Guns 82
_CHEVAUX DE FRIZE_—Dimensions and Weight of 82
_COMPOSITIONS_—For Kitt; Fire, Smoke, and Light Balls;
suffocating Pots; Fire Hoops, Arrows, and
Lances; Cases for burning Fascine Batteries 84
— General Precautions in mixing 84
_CONVOYS_—Length of Line of March of 84
— Rate of travelling with, and Manner of escorting 85
_DISPART_—Of Guns 86
_DISTANCES_—Practical Methods of measuring without
mathematical Instruments 87
— Cavallo’s Micrometer for measuring 92
— Table of Angles subtended by one Foot at different 95
_DRAG ROPES_—Weight and Dimensions of 95
_EMBARKATION_—Of Ordnance and Stores 96
— Of Troops 99
_EXERCISE_—Of Artillery
— Duties of the Men attached to Field Guns or Howitzers,
with the full Complement, and with reduced Numbers 100
— Methods of advancing and retiring Field Artillery
_without Drag Ropes_ 104
— Duties of the Men in advancing and retiring
Field Artillery _with Drag Ropes_ 109
— Of Heavy Ordnance on a Battery with different
Complements of Men 112
— Of the Triangle Gin 115
— Of the Sling Cart 117
_FASCINES_—Dimensions and Uses of the different
Natures of, with the necessary Attentions
in making them 119
_FIRE SHIP_—Proportion of combustible Stores for 120
— Method of fitting out 122
— New Method of fitting out, to produce more external Fire 124
_FLINTS_—Number of, packed in a half Barrel;
with the Weight of, &c. 126
_FORTIFICATION_—Practical Maxims in building Field Works
with their Dimensions
— Permanent; Observations upon the different Parts of,
with their principal Dimensions 131
— Observations upon the Means of adding to the Defence of
Places by Outworks, &c. and on defilading a Place
from Heights 133
— Principal Dimensions of, according to Vauban 140
— Dimensions of Walls from 10 to 50 Feet high 142
_FUZES_—Composition for—Dimensions of 143
—Manner of finding the Length of, for any Range 144
_GABIONS_—Dimensions of, and Attentions in making them 145
_GIN TRIANGLE_—Dimensions and Weight of 146
_GRAVITY_—Table of specific Gravities 146
— Rules, to find the Magnitude of any Body from its Weight,
and the contrary 147
_GRAPE SHOT_—See _Shot_.
_GRENADES_—Distance to which they may be thrown 147
_GUNNERY_—In a nonresisting Medium
— How far it may be applied to Practice with the Help of
good Tables of Experiments 147
— Upon a horizontal Plane 148
— Upon inclined Planes 149
— Table of Amplitudes 151
— Table of Natural Sines, Tangents, and Secants 152
_GUNS_—Calibers of English and Foreign 153
— Length and Weight of English Brass 154
— Ditto French Brass 155
— Ditto English and French Iron 155
— Ranges with One Shot from Brass 156
— Ditto Two Shot 157
— Ditto small Charges from 157
— Effects of Case Shot from Battalion 158
— Ranges from Iron 159
— Ditto of 5½ Inch Shells from 24 Pr. 160
— Ditto 4⅖ Inch Ditto 12 Pr. 161
— Ranges from French 162
_GUNPOWDER_—Proportion of Ingredients for,
by different Powers in Europe 162
— Manner of Proving it at Pursleet 163
— Marks on the Barrels, by which the different Qualities
are distinguished 164
— French Proof of 165
_HAIR CLOTH_—Dimensions and Weight of 166
_HAND BARROW_—Ditto 166
_HANDSPIKES_—Ditto 166
_HARNESS_—Ditto for Horses and Men 166
_HORSES_—Military Gait, and other Particulars
respecting them 166
— Manner of Regulating the Weight they ought to Draw 166
— Number of, allowed to Artillery Carriages 167
_HOWITZERS_—Dimensions and Weight of English and French 168
— Natures of and by different Powers 169
— Ranges from 170
_LEVELLING_—Table shewing the Difference between
the true and apparent Level 172
— Manner of applying this Table to finding Heights
and Distances 172
_LOAD_—How regulated for Artillery Carriages 174
_MAGAZINES_—For Powder—Dimensions of _Temporary_
ones for Batteries 175
— _Permanent_, for fortified Places 175
_MATCH, Slow_—Composition for, and manner of making
— Time it will burn 177
— _Quick_—of Cotton or Worsted 178
_MARCHING_—Rate of, for Cavalry and Infantry 178
— Rates paid for pressed Carriages on a March 179
— Rates paid to Publicans for Troops on a March 179
_MEASURES_—Tables of English Weights and 180
— Old French, Do. 181
— New System of, by the French, with their proportion
to the old, and to the English 182
— Rules for converting French Weights and Measures
into English 184
— German, and Weights 184
— Proportion between the English Foot, and Pound Avoir,
and those of the principal Places in Europe 185
— For Powder; their Dimensions 185
_MECHANICS_—The different Powers of, and the advantage
gained by each 186
_MILE_—Comparison between the Miles of different
Countries 189
_MINE_—Rules for finding the proper Charge to produce
any required Excavation or Effect 190
— Remarks upon the Dimensions and Construction of Mines,
and their Galleries 193
— Usual System of Countermines, when prepared before hand 197
— Temporary Mines 198
_MORTARS_—Dimensions and Weight of English Brass and
Iron Mortars, with their extreme Ranges 200
— Ranges from 10 Inch Sea Service, at 21° 201
— Ditto 13 and 10 Inch Sea Service, at 45° 201
— Ditto French, at 45° 202
— Ditto English Land Service, at 45° 203
— Ditto of Iron 203
— Ditto English Land Service, at 45° of Brass 205
— Ditto Land Service, 5½ Inch Brass, at 15° 205
— Ditto Land Service, 10 and 8 Inch, at 10° 206
— Ditto Land Service, 10 and 8 Inch, at 15° 206
_NAVY_—Number and Nature of Ordnance for each Ship
in his Majesty’s 207
— Principal Dimensions of Ships Of War, Complements of Men,
and Draught of Water 208
_ORDNANCE_—Value of Brass and Iron 209
_PACE_—The Length of the Common and Geometrical 210
_PARALLELS_—See _Trenches_, and _Sap_
_PAY_—Table of, for the Officers, non Commissioned
Officers, and Privates of the Army 211
_PARK_—Its Situation and Distribution 213
_PENDULUMS_—How made for Artillery Purposes 215
— Proper Length of, for Seconds, ½ Seconds, and Quarters 215
— Rules for Finding the proper Length to make any number
of Vibrations in a Minute, and the Contrary 215
_PETARDS_—Dimensions of, and Stores for 216
_PLATFORMS_—Dimensions of, and Materials for Gun
and Mortar 216
_POINT BLANK_—What 217
_PONTOONS_—Dimensions and Weight of, and Equipage for one 217
_PORTFIRES_—Composition for—Time they will Burn
—Manner of making them at Gibraltar 218
_PROVISIONS_—Regulations respecting Rations of, for Sea
and Land Service 219
_PROOF_ of Iron Guns, with the Limits of their Reception 219
— Of Brass do. 220
— Howitzers, Mortars, and Carronades 221
— By Water 222
— By assaying the Metal 223
— Marks of condemned Ordnance 224
_RATIONS_—Of Provisions for Land and Sea Service 225
— Regulations respecting their Issue 226
— Deductions to be made from the Pay of Soldiers for 227
_RANK_—Between Sea and Land Officers 228
_RECOIL_—Of Brass Guns on Field Carriages, of Iron Guns
on Standing Carriages, and Mortars on their Beds 229
_RECONNOITERING_—Preparations for 230
Objects to be attended to in Reconnoitering—
1 Roads—2 Fords—3 Inundations—4 Springs
and Wells—5 Lakes and Marshes—6 Woods
and Forests—7 Heaths—8 Canals—9 Rivers—
10 Passes—11 Ravins—12 Cultivated Lands—
13 Orchards—14 Bridges—15 Mountains and
Hills—16 Coasts—17 Redoubts—18 Castles
and Citadels—19 Villages—20 Cities not fortified—
21 Fortified Towns—22 Positions
_RICOCHET_—Rules for firing 243
_ROCKETS_—Composition for Sky Rockets 245
—Table of General Dimensions of, with their Sticks 245
—Height to which they will ascend 246
_ROPE_—How distinguished—Rule for finding the Weight of 247
_SAND BAGS_—Dimensions of—Number required 248
_SAP_—Manner of carrying it on 248
_SECANTS_—Table of Natural Secants 248
_SHELLS_—Dimensions and Weight of,
for Mortars and Howitzers 249
— For Guns and Carronades 250
— Manner of throwing Shells from Guns though they
do not fit the Bore 251
— French and German 251
— Rules to find the Weight of, and the Quantity of Powder
they will contain 252
_SHOT_—Rules to find the Number in any Pile of 252
— Rules for finding the Weight and Dimensions of
Iron and Lead Shot 253
— Table of Diameters of English and French Iron round Shot 255
— Table of English Case Shot for different Services 256
— Tables of Grape Shot for Sea and Land Service 257
— Manner of Quilting small Shells in Grape 257
— Precautions in firing Hot Shot 258
_SINES_—Table of Natural Sines 259
_SOUND_—Velocity of—Rules for computing Distances by 259
_STOPPAGES_—From the Pay of an Artillery Soldier, weekly 260
_TANGENTS_—Table of Natural Tangents 261
— Manner of making a Tangent Scale to any Piece of Ordnance 262
— Table of Tangents to 1° for English Field Artillery 262
— Ditto French 262
_TENTS_—Weight and Dimensions of Tents
of different Descriptions 262
_TONNAGE_—Manner of finding the Tonnage of any Ship 263
— Table of Tonnage of Ordnance Stores 264
— Tonnage allowed for Officers Baggage on board Transports 266
_TRANSPORTS_—Regulations on board of 266
_TRENCHES_—Dimensions of Trenches of Approach at a Siege 266
— Manner of opening, and conducting the Trenches
and Parallels 267
_TROU DE LOUP_—Dimensions of 269
_TUBES_—Dimensions of, and Composition for Tin Tubes 269
_UNIFORMS_—Principal Colours of the Military
Uniforms of different Powers in Europe 271
_VELOCITY_—Principal Points ascertained respecting the
initial Velocities of Shot from Guns of
different Lengths, and with different Charges,
by the Experiments at Woolwich 272
— Initial Velocities of English and French Artillery 273
_VENTS_—Diameter of 275
_WEIGHTS_—Table of English and French 276
_WINDAGE_—Of English and French Artillery 276
_WOOD_—Employed in making Artillery Carriages 277

PREFACE.

A man must appear somewhat vain, who declares that he has been obliged to reject much useful information, for fear of increasing too much the size of his work: and yet manages to find room for a few pages of his own, by way of Preface: but lest the objects which the compiler of this little work has had in view should be mistaken, he finds it absolutely necessary to say a few words in explanation of them. This small collection of military memorandums was originally intended only for the compiler’s own pocket; to assist him in the execution of his duty: but it occurred to him, that many of his military friends stood in equal need of such an aid, and would willingly give a few shillings for what they would not be at the trouble of collecting. The compiler has seen young men, on their first entry into the regiment of artillery, give a guinea for manuscripts, which contained a very small part of the information offered in this little book. From a persuasion that a very principal part of its merit is derived from its portability, every endeavor has been used to press much into a little compass; and it is hoped, that this power has not been so far exerted, as to make the whole unintelligible: but, it must be understood, that the compiler does not propose to convey instruction to the untaught, but only to make a few memorandums of reference to facts; which those already versed in the military profession are supposed to have the knowledge to apply. The totally ignorant of these matters, he has, therefore, nothing to say to; they must consult more voluminous works. An alphabetical arrangement is merely adopted as the best calculated for this purpose; and as nothing like a military dictionary is intended, all terms are omitted, not within the compiler’s plan. All reference to plates has, likewise been avoided; as they not only very much increase the cost, but the bulk of a book. The principal difficulty which the compiler has had in making this little collection, has been to confine it within the limits of his original plan. The quantity of useful information which has pressed for admittance, has been with reluctance rejected. Such authors only have been quoted, as are generally esteemed the best; and every advantage has been taken of such information, as the compiler has been able to collect from experienced friends; but he has ventured to offer nothing whatever of his own. The French military authors have been principally consulted, on all subjects not immediately confined to our own system; and such notes as are given respecting their ordnance, may be of use in drawing a comparison with our own; and may serve as references to those in the habit of reading their military works. The compiler has not, in any instance, attempted to offer changes which he may have been led to imagine improvements; or to point out what he thinks deserve the title of defects in our own system; but he has given every information according to the present practice in our service. He cannot, however, help expressing a hope, that he will one day see his little book laid by as totally obsolete, and a better built upon a system less complicated, and more applicable to that particular nature of service which this country has in every war the greatest reason to expect.

Our armies will never, it is to be hoped, find a field of battle but on the other side of the water: they must therefore always be subject to the inconveniencies attendant upon the embarkation, and the confusion, too often the companion of a disembarkation of a quantity of ordnance and other military stores upon an enemy’s coast: how peculiarly necessary is it, therefore, that our military system should be the simplest and the best arranged. The French system of artillery was established as far back as the year 1765, and has been rigidly adhered to, through a convulsion in the country, which has overturned every thing else like order; and which even the government itself has not been able to withstand. We should therefore conclude that it has merit, and, though in an enemy, ought to avail ourselves of its advantages. At the formation of their system, they saw the necessity of the most exact correspondence in the most minute particulars; and so rigidly have they adhered to this principle, that though they have several arsenals, where carriages and other military machines are constructed; the different parts of a carriage may be collected from these several arsenals in the opposite extremities of the country, and will as well unite and form a carriage, as if they were all made and fitted in the same workshop. As long as every man who fancies that he has made an improvement is permitted to introduce it into our service, this cannot be the case with us.

Gunpowder has been so much improved of late years, under the direction of Col. Congreve, that the experiments made with the old powder are now of little service: only such tables of ranges with different natures of ordnance have therefore been inserted, as have been ascertained since the improved powder has been in use. As experiments are daily making at Woolwich and elsewhere, a blank leaf may be bound up after each nature of ordnance, in order to insert an abstract of them.

The compiler thinks it necessary to address himself to two classes of persons in particular; perhaps they may comprise the whole of his readers. First, those who think his little book might have been made much more complete. Second, those who think it improper that any information upon such matters should be offered to the public. To the first, he acknowledges the justice of the remark, but has to remind them, of the very great difficulties which they may themselves have experienced, in collecting information at Woolwich. To the second, he has but to remark, that he is well aware of the objections urged against publications which may give information as well to our enemies as our friends; but he does not imagine his little book to contain matter of sufficient consequence to do such mischief: and he is supported in an opinion by the most powerful and best organized military nations in Europe, that such secresy is the surest mark of ignorance.

The first edition being out of print, the compiler has endeavored to improve this, by _every_ correction, and by _some_ of the additions which his friends have been kind enough to suggest to him as necessary: but if he has neglected much of the valuable information offered him, it has not been from an insensibility of its merit, but from its entering more into the detail of matters than his little book would afford room to profit by; for it still professes not to instruct, but only to remind.

The compiler has added to this edition a short alphabetical index to the contents. This may appear to some superfluous, considering the alphabetical arrangement of the subjects: but it has been impossible to avoid a great deal of reference from one part of the work to another: beside, the compiler has observed in several of the copies in the possession of his friends, notes in manuscript, (entered on sheets bound up for the purpose) which are also to be found in the body of the work. This the compiler attributes to a cause which the index may probably remedy, by enabling the reader to know, at one view, the whole contents.

_AMMUNITION_—For small arms, in the British service, is generally packed in half barrels, each containing 1000 musquet, or 1500 carbine cartridges. An ammunition waggon will carry 20 of these barrels, and an ammunition cart 12 of them: their weight nearly 1 cwt. each.

The cartouch boxes of the infantry are made of so many different shapes and sizes, that it is impossible to say exactly what ammunition they will contain; but most of them can carry 60 rounds. See the word _Cartridges_; and for Artillery Ammunition, see the word _Artillery_, for the field, for the siege, and the defence of a fortified place.

The French pack all their ammunition in wagons without either boxes or barrels, by means of partitions of wood. Their 12 Pr. and 8 Pr. waggons will contain each 14,000 musquet cartridges, but their 4 Pr. waggons will contain only 12,000 each.

_AMMUZETTE_—See the word _Guns_.

_APRONS_—of lead for guns—

_lbs._ _oz._
Large—1 foot long—10 inches wide 8 4 weight.
Small—6 inches ” —4½ ” ” 1 12 ”

_ARMS_—Small

+---------------+---------+-------+---------------------------+
| | Length | Diam. | Balls weight for |
| Nature. | of | of +-------------+-------------+
| | Barrel. | Bore. | Proof. | Service. |
+---------------+---------+-------+-------------+-------------+
| | Ft. In.|Inches.| oz. dr. gr. | oz. dr. gr. |
|Wall pieces | 4 6 | .98 | 2 8 8 | 2 5 7 |
|Musquet | 3 6 | .76 | 1 6 11½ | 1 1 12 |
|Carbine | 3 0 | .61 | 0 14 13 | 0 12 11 |
|Pistol, common | 1 2 | .58 | 0 8 15 | 0 7 4½ |
| ” carbine | 1 0 | .66 | 0 14 13 | 0 12 11 |
+---------------+---------+-------+-------------+-------------+

_ARTILLERY._—The proportion of artillery and ammunition necessary to accompany an army in the field, to lay siege to a fortified place, or to defend one, must depend upon so many circumstances, that it is almost impossible, in a small work of this kind, to lay down any satisfactory rules as guides on the subject: the following principles are, however, drawn from the best authorities:

1st. _ARTILLERY for the Field._

FIELD Artillery is divided into _Battalion Guns, Artillery of the Park_, and _Horse Artillery_.

The _Battalion Guns_ include all the light pieces attached to regiments of the line, which they accompany in all manœuvres, to cover and support them.

The following natures of field ordnance are attached to battalions of infantry, by different powers in Europe:

French two 4 Prs. per battalion.
English two 6 ” ” ”
Danes two 3 ” ” ”
Austrians three 6 ” ” ”
Prussians two 6 Prs. to a battalion in the first line.
” two 3 Prs. to a battalion in the second line.
Hanoverians two 3 Prs. per battalion.

The _Artillery of the Park_ is composed of all natures of field ordnance. It is destined to form batteries of position; that is to say, to occupy advantageous situations, from which the greatest effect may be produced, in supporting the general movements of an army, without following it, like the battalion guns, through all the detail of its manœuvres. The park of artillery attached to an army in the field generally consists of twice as many pieces of different natures, varied according to the country in which it is to act, as there are battalions in the army. Gribauvale proposes the following proportion between the different natures of artillery for the park or reserve, viz. ⅖ of 12 Prs. ⅖ of 8 Prs. and ⅗ of 4 Prs. or reserve for battalion guns. In a difficult country he says, it may be ¼ of 12 Prs. ½ of 8 Prs. and ¼ of 4 Prs. and for every 100 pieces of cannon he allots 4 Howitzers; but this proportion of Howitzers is much smaller than what is generally given.

_HORSE Artillery._—The French horse artillery consists of 8 Prs. and 6 inch Howitzers.

The English of light 12 Prs. light 6 Prs. and light 5½ inch Howitzers.

The Austrian and Prussian horse artillery have 6 Prs. and 5½ inch Howitzers.

_AMMUNITION for Field Artillery._

_A proportion of Ammunition and Stores for each
Nature of Field Ordnance, viz. 1 Med. 12 Pr.[1]—1
heavy 6 Pr.—2 light 6 Prs. as they are always
attached to Battalions of Infantry—and one 5½
inch Howitzer; according to the British Service._

=A= = _12 Pounders, Medium._
=B= = _6 Pounders, Heavy._
=C= = _2 Light 6 Pounders,_
=D= = _5½ Inch Howitzers._
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| _Proportion of Ammunition_ | =A= | =B= | =C= | =D= |
| _and Stores._ | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Shot fixed to wood bottoms—case | 24 | 30 | 68 | 24 |
| ” ” ” ” ” round | 120 | 120 | 188 | — |
|Shells fixed | — | — | — | 24 |
| ” empty | — | — | — | 120 |
|Carcasses fixed | — | — | — | 4 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| 4 lb. | 120 | — | — | — |
| 3½ ” | 24 | — | — | — |
| 2¼ ” | — | 120 | — | — |
|Cartridges of 2 ” | — | 30 | — | — |
| flannel filled 1½ ” | — | — | 188 | — |
| with powder. 1¼ ” | — | — | 68 | — |
| 10 oz. | — | — | 125 | — |
| 1 lb. | — | — | — | 144 |
| 12 oz. | — | — | — | 28 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Cartridges, flannel, empty | 12 | 12 | 100 | 12 |
|Do. of paper for burst’g 10 oz | — | — | — | 120 |
|Tubes of tin—N. P. | 172 | 178 | 560 | 190 |
|Portfires—long small | 18 | 18 | 62 | 18 |
|Fuzes—drove | — | — | — | 132 |
|Powder, mealed lbs. | — | — | — | ½ |
|Travelling carriages & limbers | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Aprons of lead | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Spunges, with staves and heads | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Wad hooks, with staves | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Handspikes—traversing | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Tampions, with collars | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Trucks—Hanoverian | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Straps for lashing side arms | — | 3 | 8 | — |
| Tarpaulins—gun | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” limber | — | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Linstocks, with cocks | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Drag ropes, with pins—Prs. | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Padlocks, with keys | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Match—slow—lbs. | 28 | 28 | 56 | 28 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Spikes Spring | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Common | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Punches for vents | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Barrels budge | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Couples for chain traces | — | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| Spare heads—spunge | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” —rammer | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Hammers, claw | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Priming irons—sets | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Draught chains—pairs | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Powder horns—N. P. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Water buckets—French | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Entrench’g tools—axes, felling | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” ” pick | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” handbills | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| ” ” spades | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Marline, tarred—skeins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Twine, ” —do. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Hambro’ line —do. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Packthread —lbs. | — | 1 | — | — |
| Grease firkins | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ” boxes | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Tallow lbs. | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Lanthorns, dark | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Jacks, lifting | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| ” handscrew | 1 | — | — | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Waggons with hoops and | | | | |
| painted covers, | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Flanders pattern | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Wad miltilts | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Tanned hides | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Men’s harness 12 to a set sets | 1 | 1 | — | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| New |Rope (6 do.) sets | 1 | — | — | — |
| pattern |Chain (6 do.) sets | — | 1 | — | — |
|H H |Trace (4 do.) sets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|o a Common | Thill | — | — | 2 | — |
|r r pattern | Trace | — | — | 4 | — |
|s n | Bit halters | — | — | 6 | — |
|e e Wanties | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| s Hemp halters | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| s | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Whips, long | — | — | 2 | — |
| ” , short | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Nose bags | 14 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Corn sacks | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Forage cords, sets | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Rope, tarred—2 inch, fathoms | — | — | 10 | — |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Linch pins | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Clouts—body | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| For waggons ” —linch | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Clout nails, 6d. | 64 | 32 | 32 | 64 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| Spare ladle staves | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Horses, for guns | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| ” , for waggons | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
|Drivers, for guns | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| ” , for waggons | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
|Tube boxes, with straps | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Portfire sticks | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Cutting knives | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|Drawing do. | — | — | — | 1 |
|Scissars, pairs | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
|Worsted, ounces | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ |
|Needles, large | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Cartouches of leather | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
| 4 oz. | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Copper 2 ” | — | 1 | — | — |
| measures 1 ” | 1 | 1 | 2 | — |
| for powder. 4 lbs. to ¼ oz. | — | — | — | 1 |
| sets | | | | |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+
|Thumb stalls | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|Perpendicular | — | — | — | 1 |
|Quadrant of brass | — | — | — | 1 |
|Diagonal scale | — | — | — | 1 |
|Copper salting box | — | — | — | 1 |
|Pincers for draw’g fuzes, pairs | — | — | — | 1 |
|Sheepskins | — | — | — | 2 |
|Funnels of copper | — | — | — | 1 |
|Compasses of steel, pairs | — | — | — | 1 |
|Saw, tenant | — | — | — | 1 |
|Files, square | — | — | — | 3 |
|Rasps, half round | — | — | — | 2 |
|Flax, oz. | — | — | — | 8 |
|Tow, oz. | — | — | — | 4 |
|Saw set | — | — | — | 1 |
|Mallets of wood | — | — | — | 1 |
|Setters do. | — | — | — | 2 |
+---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+

[1] The 12 Prs. which have a small box on their limbers, carry 6 round shot and 2 case shot, with 6 cartridges of 4 lbs. and 2 of 3 1-2 lbs. of powder, more than the above proportion.

This proportion of ammunition and stores is carried in
the following manner:

12 Pr. } Has no limber boxes,[2] but has two waggons
MEDIUM, } attached to it, and the ammunition and stores
} divided between them.

6 Pr. } Carries 36 round, and 14 case shot in limber
HEAVY, } boxes, with a proportion of the small stores;
} and the remainder is carried in one waggon.

} Carries 34 round, and 16 case shot on the limber,
6 Pr } with a proportion of the small stores for
LIGHT, } immediate service; and, if acting separately,
} must have a waggon attached to it, to carry the
} remainder. But two 6 pounders, attached to a
} battalion, have only one waggon between them.

} Has 22 shells, 4 case shot, and two carcasses in
5½ HOW’R } the limber boxes, with such of the small stores
LIGHT, } as are required for immediate service; and has
} two waggons attached to carry the rest.

One common pattern ammunition waggon carries the following numbers of rounds of ammunition of each nature:

The waggons, however, attached to the different parks of artillery in England, which have not been altered from the old establishment, are loaded with only the following number, and drawn by three horses:

[2] A small limber box has lately been added to the medium 12 Prs. which carries 6 round shot and 6 case shot, with a small proportion of the small stores. See note page 11.

[3] Though the waggons will contain 20,000 cartridges, it is customary to load them with only 18 half barrels of 1000 each, and 2 half barrels of flints.

The horse artillery having waggons of a particular description, carry their ammunition as follows:

+----------------------------+------------+-------+----------+------+
| | Shot. | | |Total |
| +------+-----+ | | No. |
| |Round.|Case.|Shells.|Carcasses.| with |
| | | | | | each |
| | | | | |Piece.|
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|12 Prs. light, on the limber| 12 | 4 | 4 | — | 92 |
|Do. ” ” in one waggon| 52 | 10 | 10 | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|6 Prs. light, on the limber | 32 | 8 | — | — | 150 |
|Do. in one waggon | 97 | 13 | — | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|5½ In. How’r on the limber| — | 5 | 13 | — | 73 |
|Do. in one waggon | — | 10 | 41 | 4 | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+
|3 Prs. heavy, curricle | 6 | 6 | — | — | 136 |
|Do. ammunition cart| 100 | 24 | — | — | |
+----------------------------+------+-----+-------+----------+------+

_The following Proportion of Artillery, Ammunition, and Carriages, necessary for four French Armies of different Degrees of Strength, and acting in very different Countries, is attributed to_ GRIBAUVALE, _and is extracted from_ DURTUBIE, _on_ Artillery.

=(A)= = _Flanders._
=(B)= = _Moselle._
=(C)= = _Rhine._
=(D)= = _Italy._
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| _ARMIES._ | =(A)= | =(B)= | =(C)= | =(D)= |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Number of battalions | 80 | 28 | 32 | 48 |
| +-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Battalion guns | 160 | 56 | 64 | 94 |
+----------+------------------+ | | | |
| | 12 Prs. | 32 | 12 | 12 | 16 |
| Park or | 8 Prs. | 72 | 24 | 32 | 48 |
| Reserve | 4 Prs. | 40 | 16 | 16 | 24 |
| | 6 Inch Howitzers| 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
+----------+------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total pieces of ordnance | 312 | 112 | 128 | 192 |
+---------------+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Carriage for |12 Prs. | 36 | 14 | 14 | 18 |
| the ordnance | 8 Prs. | 81 | 27 | 36 | 54 |
| including | 4 Prs. | 215 | 78 | 90 | 129 |
| spare ones | 6 In. How’r.| 9 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
+---------------+-------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total ordnance carriages | 341 | 124 | 145 | 210 |
+-----------+-----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
| | 12 Prs. | 96 | 36 | 36 | 48 |
|Ammunition | 8 Prs. | 144 | 48 | 64 | 96 |
| waggons | 4 Prs. | 200 | 72 | 80 | 120 |
| | 6 In. How’r. | 24 | 12 | 8 | 24 |
+-----------+-----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Waggons for musq. cartridges | 120 | 42 | 48 | 72 |
|Large Waggons for the park | 10 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| +-------+-------+-------+-------+
| Total ammunition waggons | 594 | 216 | 241 | 368 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
|Smiths forges Large | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| Small | — | 3 | 3 | 4 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total forges | 14 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
+------------------+----------+-------+-------+--------+------+
|Waggons| Intrench-|Artillery | 27 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
| for | ing tools|The army | 20 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
| | for | | | | | |
+-------+----------+----------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| | New Iron | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| | Wood for spr. | | | | |
| Carri-| carri’gs | 9 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| ages +---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| for | Anchors, &c. for | | | | |
| | pontoons | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total store carriages | 66 | 28 | 32 | 49 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
|Pontoons upon their carriages| 36 | 18 | 18 | 36 |
|Spare pontoon carriages | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
| Total pontoon carriages | 40 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| +-------+-------+--------+------+
| _RECAPITULATION._ | | | | |
| | | | | |
|Ordnance——pieces | 312 | 112 | 128 | 192 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| | Ordnance carriages | 341 | 124 | 145 | 210 |
|Carri- | Ammunition | 594 | 216 | 241 | 368 |
| ages | Store | 66 | 28 | 32 | 49 |
| | Pontoon | 40 | 20 | 20 | 40 |
| | Forges | 14 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
+-------+---------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+
| General total of carriages | 1055 | 394 | 144 | 679 |
+-----------------------------+-------+-------+--------+------+

This table contains, beside the proportion of ordnance with each army, also the quantity of ammunition with each piece of ordnance, and the number of rounds of musquet ammunition carried for the infantry; for each waggon in the French Service, having its particular allotment of ammunition and stores, it needs but to know the number of waggons of each description, to ascertain the quantity of ammunition and stores with an army. The following is the number of waggons usually attached to each piece of field ordnance in the French Service, and the quantity of ammunition carried with each.

+--------------------------------+------------+---------- +
|Nature of Ordnance and | Shot. |Total with |
| Number of waggons +------+-----+each piece.|
| attached to each. |Round.|Case.| |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|12 Pr. on the carriage | 9 | — | |
|3 Waggons—each containing | 48 | 20 | 213 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|8 Pr. on the carriage | 9 | — | |
|2 Waggons—each containing | 62 | 30 | 193 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|4 Pr. on the carriage | 18 | — | |
|One waggon—containing | 100 | 50 | 168 |
+--------------------------------+------+-----+-----------+
|6 Inch howitzer—on the carriage | — | 4 | |
|3 Waggons—each containing |shell | | 160 |
| | 49 | 3 | |
+--------------------------------+------+-----------------+

The French horse artillery waggon, called the _wurst_, carries 57 rounds for 8 pounders; or 30 for 6 inch howitzers.

The following is a proportion of ammunition for one piece of field artillery of each nature, by different powers in Europe.

--------+------------+------------+------------+------------+
Nature. | Austrians | Prussians | Danes. |Hanoverians.|
+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+
|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|Case.|Round.|
--------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+
3 Pr. | 40 | 184 | 20 | 90 | 58 | 177 | 50 | 150 |
6 ” | 36 | 176 | 30 | 150 | 53 | 166 | 48 | 144 |
12 ” | 44 | 94 | 20 | 130 | 44 | 128 | 50 | 150 |
Howitzer| 16 | 90 | 20 | 60 | 25 | 76 | 30 | 120 |
--------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+-----+------+

_Of the Movements and Positions of Field Artillery._

_BATTALION Guns._—The following are the usual positions taken by battalion guns, in the most essential manœuvres of the battalion to which they are attached; but the established regulations for the movements of the infantry in the British Service, take so little notice of the relative situations for the artillery attached to it, that there is no authority for a guide on the subject. _In review_, both guns are to be placed, when, in line, on the right of the regiment; unlimbered and prepared for action. The guns 10 yards apart, and the left gun 10 yards from the right of the grenadiers. Nos. 7 and 8 dress in line with the front rank of the regiment. The officer, at open order, will be in front of the interval between his guns, and in line with the officers of the regiment. When the regiment breaks into column, the guns will be limbered up and wheel by pairs to the left: the men form the line of march, and the officer marches round in front of the guns. In the review of a single battalion, it is usual after marching round the second time, for one of the guns to go to the rear, and fall in at the rear of the column. Upon the regiment wheeling on the left into line, the guns, if separated, will be unlimbered to the right, but if they are both upon the right, they must be wheeled to the right, and then unlimbered; and afterwards run up by hand, as thereby they do not interfere with the just formation of the line, by obstructing the view of the pivots.

The usual method by which the guns take part in the firings while in line, is by two discharges from each piece, previous to the firing of the regiment; but this is usually regulated by the commanding officer, before the review. Though the guns when in line with a regiment in review, always remain in the intervals; in other situations of more consequence, every favorable spot which presents itself, from which the enemy can be more effectually annoyed, should be taken advantage of. In column, if advancing, the guns must be in front; if retreating, in the rear of the column. If in open column of more than one battalion, the guns in the center must be between the divisions, and when the column is closed, these guns must move to the outward flank of that division of the column, which leads the regiment to which they are attached. In changing front, or in forming the line from column, should the guns be on that flank of the battalion on which the new line is to be formed, they will commence firing to cover the formation.

In retiring by alternate wings or divisions, the guns must be always with that body nearest the enemy. That is, they will not retire with the first half, but will remain in their position till the second half retires; and will then only retire to the flanks of the first half; and when it retires again, the guns will retire likewise, but only as far as the second half, and so on.

When in hollow square, the guns will be placed at the weakest angles, and the limbers in the center of the square. In passing a bridge or defile in front, the guns will be the first to pass; unless from any particular position they can more effectually _enfilade_ the _defilé_; and thereby better open the passage for the infantry. But in retiring through a _defilé_, the guns will remain to the last, to cover the retreat.

_GENERAL RULE._—With very few variations, the guns should attend in all the movements of the battalion, that division of it, to which they are particularly attached; and every attention should be paid in thus adapting the movements of the guns to those of the regiment, that they be not entangled with the divisions of the line, and never so placed as to obstruct the view of the pivots, and thereby the just formation of the line; but should always seek those positions, from which the enemy can be most annoyed, and the troops to which they are attached, protected.

If at any time the battalion guns of several regiments should be united and formed into brigades, their movements will then be the same as those for the artillery of the park.

_Artillery of the Park._

The artillery of the park is generally divided into brigades of 4 or 6 pieces, and a reserve, according to the force and extent of the front of an army. The reserve must be composed of about ⅙ of the park, and must be placed behind the first line. If the front of the army be extensive, the reserve must be divided.

The following are the principal rules for the movements and positions of the brigades of artillery: they are mostly translated from the _Aide Memoire_, a new military work.

In a _defensive_ position, the guns of the largest caliber must be posted in those points, from whence the enemy can be discovered at the greatest distance, and from which may be seen the whole extent of his front.

In an _offensive_ position, the weakest points of the line must be strengthened by the largest calibers; and the most distant from the enemy: those heights on which the army in advancing may rest its flanks, must be secured by them, and from which the enemy may be fired upon obliquely.

The guns should be placed as much as possible under cover; this is easily done upon heights, by keeping them so far back that the muzzles are only to be seen over them: by proper attention many situations may be found of which advantage may be taken for this purpose, such as banks, ditches, &c. every where to be met with.

A BATTERY in the field should never be discovered by the enemy till the very moment it is to open. The guns may be masked by being a little retired; or by being covered by troops, particularly cavalry.

To enable the commanding officer of artillery to choose the proper positions for his field batteries, he should of course be made acquainted, with the effect intended to be produced; with the troops that are to be supported; and with the points that are to be attacked; that he may place his artillery so as to support, but not incommode the infantry; nor take up such situations with his guns, as would be more advantageously occupied by the line. That he may not place his batteries too soon, nor too much exposed; that he may cover his front and his flanks, by taking advantage of the ground; and that he may not venture too far out of the protection of the troops, unless some very decided effect is to be obtained thereby.

The guns must be so placed as to produce a cross fire upon the position of the enemy, and upon all the ground which he must pass over in an attack.

They must be separated into many small batteries, to divide the fire of the enemy; while the fire from all these batteries, may at any time be united to produce a decided effect against any particular points.

These points are the _débouchés_ of the enemy, the heads of their columns, and the weakest points in the front. In an attack of the enemy’s position, the cross fire of the guns must become _direct_, before it can impede the advance of the troops; and must annoy the enemy’s positions nearest to the point attacked, when it is no longer safe to continue the fire upon that point itself.

The shot from artillery should always take an enemy in the direction of its greatest dimension; it should therefore take a line obliquely or in flank, but a column in front.

The artillery should never be placed in such a situation, that it can be taken by an enemy’s battery obliquely, or in flank, or in the rear; unless a position under these circumstances, offers every prospect of producing a most decided effect, before the guns can be destroyed or placed _hors de combat_.

The most elevated positions are not the best for artillery, the greatest effects may be produced from a height of 30 or 40 yards at the distance of about 600 and about 16 yards of height to 200 of distance.

Positions in the rear of the line are bad for artillery, because they alarm the troops, and offer a double object to the fire of the enemy.

Positions which are not likely to be shifted; but from whence an effect may be produced during the whole of an action, are to be preferred; and in such positions a low breast work of 2 or 3 feet high may be thrown up, to cover the carriages.

Artillery should never fire against artillery, unless the enemy’s troops are covered, and his artillery exposed; or unless your troops suffer more from the fire of his guns, than his troops do from yours.

Never abandon your guns till the last extremity. The last discharges are the most destructive; they may perhaps be your salvation, and crown you with glory.

The parks of artillery in Great Britain are composed of the following ordnance; 4 medium 12 pounders; 4 desaguliers 6 pounders; and 4 light 5½ inch howitzers.

_The following is the proposed line of march for the three Brigades when acting with different Columns of Troops, as settled, in 1798._

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The bombardier, and pocket gunnerChapter I: Part 1

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