This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ...as the drivers increased, would be effected by a similar transformation. Such in brief was the origin of the gunner-driver system, for which the Duke was morally responsible. As time went on the radical faults of the system became clearer and clearer. Shortly after its introduction Sir Alexander Dickson wrote an ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 Excerpt: ...as the drivers increased, would be effected by a similar transformation. Such in brief was the origin of the gunner-driver system, for which the Duke was morally responsible. As time went on the radical faults of the system became clearer and clearer. Shortly after its introduction Sir Alexander Dickson wrote an undated memorandum,1 in which he objects to "the subdivision into nothing" of the drivers and horses, and shows the absurdity of the endeavour to instruct the whole Regiment in Field Artillery work--an attempt "impossible as it is unnecessary." He points out the waste of money caused by an illinstructed Field Artillery. "Neither Officers nor men of any Company are familiar with the care of horses and horse equipment, or practised and experienced in field duties to any extent. In fact, with the exception of Ireland and Manchester, there is no longer any Field Artillery in a state of equip 1 It begins," Observations on the present state of the Field Artillery equipment, &c. &c." It is dated in another handwriting, 1823, but the ink is so fresh that this date was apparently added since the Dickson papers came into the hands of the R.A.I. ment belonging to the Empire"--apart from India. Consequently, "whenever an Army is required in the field, the want of all experience in the care of horses and equipment will... lead to a repetition of the same waste and destruction of horses as occurred in the Peninsula, and, in the event of a war commencing with an active campaign, to evils of incalculable magnitude.... The Brigades which took the field in the Peninsula were thrown together at Lisbon without drill, system, or preparation; the men having never seen their horses, or the Officers half of their men, ti...
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