REGENT STREET. Established in 1820, for the Manufacture of every description of Monumental Sculpture, Marble, Granite and Stone Tombs. MILITARY, NAVAL and MEMORIAL TABLETS, Monumental Sculptors to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Gallery: 63 REGENT STREET, LONDON, W. Just Published, 8vo. Price, in Boards, Half-a-Crown; in Paper Cover, Eighteenpence. BRIEF MEMOIR OF MAJOR-GEN. SIR JOHN G. WOODFORD. K.C.B., K.C.H. With a Photograph Cabinet Size, and Six Lithographic Illustrations. He was actively engaged at Copenhagen, Corunna, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse and Waterloo. Born 1785, died 1879. By J. F. CROSTHWAITE, Major 1st Cumberland Rifle Volunteers. London: W. KENT & CO., 23 Paternoster Row. THE UNITED SERVICE (AMERICAN.) A MONTHLY REVIEW OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS. This Magaaine, the only publication of its kind in the United States, is devoted to the interests of the Army and Navy, and numbers among its contributors the ablest writers in the two Services. Its scope embraces every description of articles germane to the Military and Naval Profession, whether technical or narrative, and its contents are of a kind to interest not only the active members of the two Services, but all who have at any time been connected therewith, or whose tastes lead them to watch the development and progress of Military and Naval affairs. PUBLISHED BY L. R. HAMERSLY & CO., 1510 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PENSYLVANIA, U.S. of America LONDON: DAVID BOGUE, 3, ST. MARTIN'S PLACE, W.C. Price: 2s. 6d. per copy. £1 3s. per annum. UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE AND NAVAL AND MILITARY JOURNAL. No. DCXLI.-APRIL, 1882. CONTENTS. THE PRESENT MODE OF INFANTRY ATTACK EXAMINED. With Practical Suggestions. By Brigadier-General W. Gordon, C.I.E.. 381 CAPTAIN KINKS. Chap. XXII. By the Author of " A Modern Greek Heroine' A CHAPTER ON SOME FAMOUS BUCCANEERS NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF HER MAJESTY'S ELEVENTH (NORTH-DEVON) 398 410 . 435 457 475 . 485 . 507 . 508 TO CORRESPONDENTS. 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THE PRESENT MODE OF INFANTRY ATTACK EXAMINED. WITH PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. GORDON, C.I.E. The object contemplated by the regulation method is to carry the battalion over the infantry fire zone, with as little loss as possible, and to form them in line again, or what is left of them, about 100 or 150 yards from the enemy, previous to an assault. Writers of all nations, and of all ranks and degrees of experience have attempted to describe how the details are to be arranged, how the various companies when mixed up are to be controlled, and how "order in disorder" is to be maintained, thus admitting that the attack formation directed, though believed to be the best suited for the object in view, is in itself faulty. I propose to show that the desired object can be obtained with fewer disadvantages than the present method entails. I have had many opportunities of ascertaining and judging the effect of rifle fire and what the rifle may reasonably be expected to do on service in the hands of fairly trained troops, well controlled and directed by the company officer. In 1876, I ventured to advocate certain principles for consideration the most essential of which then were rejected at the Army Head Quarters, (copy attached) but which sub U.S. MAG. NO. 641 EE sequent events have proved to be sound, and which are now admitted by competent authority to be correct in principle. With arms of precision, accuracy in direction up to the limits of the power of the arm, can be comparatively easily obtained. It is in elevation that there is constant failure both with the gun of the artillery and rifle of the infantry. This is the result, firstly, of incorrect application of distances and consequent incorrect sighting, which no amount of training that can possibly be given in time of peace to soldiers of any nation will ever overcome. Secondly, of inattention to the constant necessary change in sighting and thirdly, of the rifle being discharged by the firer irregularly, and with too much or too little elevation. The firer's excitement or temperament will cause this last defect, which mainly proceeds from flurry. It may be, partially, if not altogether remedied, by great care during instruction, but on service, there must, with young soldiers, always be a considerable proportion of men who become excited and in their first battle fire wildly. Much has been said of the greater effect produced by unaimed than by aimed fire, meaning that more hits are caused by errors in elevation, than by errors in direction. Why then place the troops in the first three stages in the formation in three separate lines so that a bullet which has missed the first line will probably hit either the second or the third? Recent events have shown the danger of single brigades, the fighting formation of which has no diagram in the Field Exercises of 1877, adopting too loose a formation. With powerful well formed reserves, there may be no such danger, but the experience of the past few years shows that a British brigade has generally to fight it out alone and without a second brigade in support, because the enemy is so strong that every portion of the brigade or force must be so placed as to be utilized in either aiding or engaging in, the attack. It is therefore all important, to give the supports and reserves as clear a view of their own front as possible, and so to place them that |