Chapter 2 of 18 · 3940 words · ~20 min read

Part 2

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.