nable; for, if
it should become necessary to withdraw them, they would leave a
dangerous interval.

4. It is dangerous to collect _a great many pieces in one battery_,
especially in the beginning of an action, when the enemy is fresh, for
it strongly tempts him to capture it. When used, such a battery should
have powerful supports to protect it, or should be sheltered by a
village, a defile, or other cover, occupied beforehand.

5. Although, to be used offensively, guns should be in strong masses, in
order to strike a decisive blow on some single point; this is by no
means the case when _used defensively_; for,

(1.) It is only when guns are more or less scattered over different
parts of the field, that they can be made to give a cross-fire on the
enemy's advancing columns, or on any part of his line.

(2.) If the position where they are massed does not happen to be
attacked, they become useless, while stripping the rest of the line.

(3.) If they are captured, all the artillery is lost at once, as
happened to the Austrians at the battle of Leuthen, causing their
defeat.

6. A certain number of pieces of horse-artillery must always be _kept in
reserve_, so that, if an artillery fire at any point should be suddenly
wanted, it may be furnished with the least possible delay.

7. Guns of _various calibres_ should never be in the same battery, to
prevent confusion as to the respective ranges, and in the supply of
their ammunition.

8. An independent section or battery should never consist of _howitzers
alone_, for the proper fire of these pieces is too slow to be effective
in repulsing an attack on them.

9. There should always be _wide intervals_ between the pieces; otherwise
the battery would offer too good a mark to the enemy.

V.--How used.

First, GENERALLY.
Secondly, IN OFFENSIVE COMBAT.
Thirdly, IN DEFENSIVE COMBAT.
Fourthly, AGAINST INFANTRY.
Fifthly, AGAINST CAVALRY.
Lastly, AGAINST ARTILLERY.

A. GENERALLY.

1. So far as is possible, guns should be kept _hidden from the enemy_
till the moment of opening on him. They may be masked by the ground, or
other cover, natural or artificial, or by troops placed in front of
them. The surprise will add much to their effect. Moreover, concealed,
they will be less exposed to be taken. Nothing discourages troops more
than the loss of a battery at the beginning of an action.

2. A desultory and indiscriminate artillery fire will accomplish
nothing. To ef