njury on either guns or
their carriages: solid shot, by their great weight and momentum; shells,
by their bursting.

But within three hundred or four hundred yards, grape and canister would
soon destroy the gunners and the horses.

6. Our fire on a hostile battery would not only be very effective when
it is coming into action, but at all other times _when its flanks are
exposed_; as in limbering up to move off, or in a flank march. On these
occasions we should use grape, if near enough; otherwise, spherical case
would be generally the best.

7. When possible to avoid it, _a field battery should not be opposed to
a battery of position_, or, generally, a battery of light guns to one
of heavy guns. For even when the numbers of pieces on the two sides are
equal, the enemy's superiority in range and in weight of metal would
give him such advantage in the duel that our own battery would soon be
destroyed or silenced.

VI.--Its Fire.

1. It is important not to commence the fire till our guns are in _sure
range_--

(1.) Because a harmless fire serves but to embolden the enemy and
discourage our own troops.

(2.) Because artillery ammunition should never be wasted. The fate of a
battle will sometimes depend on there being a sufficient supply of it at
a particular moment.

2. The usual maximum distances at which smooth-bore field guns may open
fire _with any considerable effect_, are--

For 12-pounders 1100 yards.
For 6 " 750 "

What these distances are in respect to rifled guns, it does not appear
to be yet definitively settled. The extreme range of the new rifled
six-pounders is said to be three thousand yards; of the twelve-pounders,
four thousand five hundred yards.

3. Guns are usually fired _by order_, and not by salvos, or volleys; and
never as soon as loaded, unless delay be dangerous. Artillery fire is
formidable only in proportion to its accuracy; and this is attainable
only by a cool and calculated aim.

4. Artillery fire should never cease _through the whole line at once_.
This would have a discouraging effect on our own troops, and an
inspiriting one on the enemy's. Especially must this not be done when we
are about to execute any manoeuvre; for it would be sure to call the
enemy's attention to it.

Therefore, if a particular battery has to change its position, it must
not cease the fire of all its pieces at once; for, besides its
disquieting effect on our troops, it woul