serious defect in the existing army system, which, unhappily, was only too conspicuous in the recent

encounters.

In each and every one of the late African engagements before the close of the action our supply of ammunition was exhausted; early in some, as at Isandula, where the men, having expended all their cartridges, fell in square around the colours under showers of the Zulu assagais, delivered almost at the very muzzles of the British rifles without the soldiers being possessed of the means of replying to the attack by a single shot.*

Again, at Laing's Nek, where the young soldiers, tired and blown in the advance, had to retreat at the most critical moment, just as they reached the enemy, the supply of ammunition ran short at the very time it was most needed.† And lastly, at Majuba Hill, where our troops, after having been for some time in possession of that important position, and having lost heavily, had, when closely attacked, to retreat in disorder, once again the supply of ammunition having failed, rout and disaster followed.‡

There cannot be a doubt, therefore, that to the wasteful expenditure and failure in the supply of ammunition must in a large measure be attributed the defeat and slaughter of our soldiers in the late African encounters. It appears to be time then that the facilities afforded for rapid and ineffective fire in action should be looked to, and after so many years' experience of the breechloader, that some effectual means should be adopted to prevent the reckless use of cartridges in the field. It commenced eleven years ago in Abyssinia, when the Snider, then the arm of the Service, was first used against an enemy, and it has since often enough been brought to notice by the reports from our little wars abroad, to have claimed attention from those in authority at home.

See report of capture of English camp at Isandula by the Zulus, January 22nd, 1879.

† See official reports of the action, dated 27th February, 1881. It is stated that a portion of it was lost on the march, out of the men's pouches.

In our list of casualties at Laing's Nek and Majuba Hill, without referring to the closing disaster of the last-named action, there unhappily exists strong evidence of the accurate shooting of the Boer adversary, and proof of their admirable skirmishing in creeping up on our position almost imperceptibly, is afforded in the latter engagement, where it appears the British troops were taken by surprise as to the point of attack. In fact, they were regularly stalked, and the subsequent slaughter of our routed soldiers bears painful evidence of the care the enemy took to spare their ammunition at the long ranges, and to use it in the most telling manner at the close quarters. It must be admitted that this husbanding of their supply of ammunition at the uncertain distances by these Dutch farmers was as remarkable as the wasteful expenditure of it on our side was deplorable.

When it was first proposed to arm the Services with the breechloader, soldiers of the old school, with an affection for Brown Bess" and muzzle-loading, prophesied that the change would result in rapid, aimless firing and waste of ammunition, and it is a matter for regret that up to the present time this prediction has been largely fulfilled, assisted to a considerable extent by the present system of short service and youthful recruiting. But it should be borne in mind that breech-loading was adopted to facilitate rapid loading, not to encourage aimless firing; that it was introduced to afford the soldier a ready means of placing himself in a state of preparedness to fire at a defined object, not to recklessly blaze away his ammunition without one. No doubt the rapid expenditure of ammunition could to some extent be controlled by discipline the discipline which can be attained only by length of service, as coolness under fire can only be acquired by experience. But, under existing circumstances, other means of lessening the evil might be accorded a trial, and it is hoped that official conservatism will not decline to take into consideration the following few suggestions on the subject.

A proposal to change the present arm of the Service

would not just now be likely to be entertained, the time required to carry out such a change, and the expense it would entail on the country would be insurmountable obstacles to the favourable reception of any such proposition. It is, then, perhaps best to offer for consideration a remedy which would, it is believed, be practically effective, and the trial of which would not entail any considerable expenditure either in time or money. It is proposed to apply the cure so much needed through the ammunition itself, by an alteration-first, in the manner of making up or packing the cartridges together; secondly, in the manner of disposing of the ammunition on the person of the soldier; and thirdly, in the manner of loading or charging the cartridges.

Rifle ammunition, as at present served out, offers facility to hasty, wasteful expenditure from the manner in which it is made up, that is the number of rounds-namely, ten-which each packet contains. And it is well-known that when the necessity arises for the use of a single round of ball-cartridge-to obtain which a packet has to be broken-the remaining nine rounds disappear very rapidly in action. Perhaps this may account for the loss of ammunition which we are told took place at Laing's Nek out of the pouches of the men. It is then suggested with regard to the first that the ammunition should be made up in packages containing fewer rounds-say five-and that the single order to fire, or to continue firing, should not, unless under exceptional circumstances, and then only by a special signal or order, extend beyond the contents of one packet, the order to be repeated for each subsequent five rounds. To meet this alteration a change in the firing regulations contained in the "Field Exercise" would of course be necessary. Officers and non-commissioned officers would thus have greater facilities afforded them for controlling the expenditure of ammunition by the necessity that would exist to cease firing periodically for the repetition of the order and the opening of a fresh package of cartridges, whilst the pause necessary

for doing so would give the soldier a better opportunity of correctly estimating his distance, and of recovering steadiness before firing again.

With reference to the second proposal, a further division of ammunition on the person of a soldier, to the extent of an additional pouch, would have some effect in checking waste, and dividing the weight, would enable him to carry it with greater ease and comfort, as well as some additional rounds if necessary. Regarding the third, namely the manner of loading or charging the cartridges. It is proposed with earnestness that a certain number of the rounds issued to each soldier, say fifteen or twenty, should be special, that is to say that while in all other respects the same as the ordinary service ammunition, it should be specially loaded with a sectional projectile, with a projectile split or divided longitudinally into four or more parts or sections-in fact the regulation projectile split in sections or pieces. Or if not this that the special ammunition referred to should be what is now so well known as "buckshot ammunition," such as has recently been issued to the Royal Irish Constabulary. This special reserve supply to be packed differently, so as to be easily distinguishable, and carried separately in the additional pouch already suggested, and to be used only by special command when near to an enemy, or on sentry duty.

The last proposition is put forward as a provision against an attack at close quarters, or the sudden rush of the enemy from cover, such as occurred at Majuba Hill, and with the object of making up to the soldier for any momentary haste or unsteadiness under such circumstances, by multiplying the chances of his hurried fire taking effect.

The humanitarian objection to the use of explosive bullets in war cannot apply to the first part of this latter proposition as a sectional is not an explosive bullet. Neither can the well-known official opposi

The regulation bullet thus split into four would give four projectiles of a hundred and twenty grains each-effective up to seventy yards; and if with a cut or groove round the centre of the cylinder it would supply eight large slugs of sixty grains, each slug weightier than a buck shot.

tion to the issue of two kinds of ammunition for the one arm-which by the bye originated in our own departmental mistakes during the Crimean War-be applicable in this case as the projectile used would be that of the service ammunition only in sections. And regarding any demur as to the supply of buckshot ammunition, it may be remarked that what is considered sufficiently humane for use with our Irish fellow subjects ought not to be deemed too nice for an enemy in the field.

Finally, a reserve of ammunition to the extent of at least fifteen rounds per man should always attend the company into action, in charge of a small escort. For a strong company, say of ninety men, the weight of this reserve would not reach 150 lbs. so the transport of it would be easy. The cartridges could be distributed along the line of fire by the escort where and when most needed, and the few men thus employed in supplying the good shots of the company with this extra ammunition would render better service than if they were in the ranks firing without effect. Further, it should be the duty of this escort to collect and return into the magazine the ammunition of the casualties and of the men compelled to leave the ranks of the fighting line.

The waste and want of ammunition in action, which has already proved to be of serious consequence to British troops, may in the future extend to a calamity if not provided against. We know from recent painful experience that it means defeat and needlees sacrifice of human life, and to guard against the recurrence of such a misfortune would appear to be a supreme duty. It may not therefore be too much to hope that in future efforts at reorganisation, the subject of these pages, as well as of esprit de corps, experience and endurance-the three Es so earnestly desired and strongly advocated by the best authorities for the good of the Service may attract the attention of military reformers, and obtain a small share of consideration from those who have the power to apply a remedy.