12.07.2015 Views

The Origin and Services of the 3rd (Montreal)

The Origin and Services of the 3rd (Montreal)

The Origin and Services of the 3rd (Montreal)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Fl<strong>and</strong>ers, <strong>and</strong> for a short time two three-pounder guns were attached to each <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> seven infantry battalions on active service on that campaign. During <strong>the</strong>next two years three more companies were sent, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re were thirty-two sixpoundersserving with <strong>the</strong> infantry battalions. <strong>The</strong> guns were as a rule attachedin pairs,under a subaltern <strong>and</strong> two non-commissioned <strong>of</strong>ficers, to <strong>the</strong> differentinfantry battalions. One waggon accompanied each pair <strong>of</strong> guns. <strong>The</strong>se gunsseriously impeded <strong>the</strong> movements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> infantry, <strong>and</strong> sometimes had to beab<strong>and</strong>oned altoge<strong>the</strong>r. <strong>The</strong>ir loss diminished <strong>the</strong> confidence <strong>of</strong> all <strong>the</strong> infantrywho had been trained to consider <strong>the</strong>ir assistance necessary. In 1795 <strong>the</strong> &quot;Battalion&quot; (Field) guns marched past at <strong>the</strong> head <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regiments to which <strong>the</strong>ywere attached. <strong>The</strong> ammunition waggon followed <strong>the</strong> column. ^At this periodto instruct in each<strong>the</strong> artillerymen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Battalion guns in Irel<strong>and</strong> were requiredinfantry regiment at least thirty rank <strong>and</strong> file under a subaltern <strong>and</strong> twosergeants.In 1798 <strong>the</strong>re were a large quantity <strong>of</strong> field guns in <strong>the</strong> British service, buta marked deficiency <strong>of</strong> trained gunners <strong>and</strong> horses. <strong>The</strong> British field artillerysteadily improved during <strong>the</strong> Peninsular War, until it was acknowledgedto be <strong>the</strong>best in Europe. Its value was much enhanced by <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> Colonel Shrapnel sshells. When Waterloo brought peace to war-sick Europe,<strong>the</strong>re were no lessthan 114 troops <strong>and</strong> companies <strong>of</strong> field artillery.Among <strong>the</strong> ordnance stores sent out in <strong>the</strong> early days <strong>of</strong> artillery werenumerous sets <strong>of</strong> men-harness, <strong>and</strong> in many cases <strong>the</strong> guns were drawn by dragropeinstead <strong>of</strong> horses. <strong>The</strong> first pieces used bymoved about.<strong>the</strong> British in America were soArtillery played no important part in <strong>the</strong> wars <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French <strong>and</strong> Englishcolonists against <strong>the</strong> Indians. This is natural considering <strong>the</strong> insurmountabledifficulties <strong>of</strong> transport. But when <strong>the</strong> war which resulted in <strong>the</strong> conquest <strong>of</strong>Canada began, <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> maintaining artillery in <strong>the</strong> field in spite <strong>of</strong>untrodden forests <strong>and</strong> almost impassable bogs was realized by both combatants,but especially, apparently, by <strong>the</strong> British. When Braddock arrived at Alex<strong>and</strong>ria,Virginia, to conduct his fatal expedition to <strong>the</strong> Ohio Valley <strong>the</strong>re were sent himfrom Irel<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> 44th <strong>and</strong> 48th Regiments <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> battalion guns attached to<strong>the</strong>m, manned by a detachment <strong>of</strong> fiftymen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regiment <strong>of</strong> artillery. <strong>The</strong>French do not appear to have been so careful to keep <strong>the</strong>ir colonial forces suppliedwith ordnance. When <strong>the</strong> French were in possession <strong>of</strong> Fort Beausejour <strong>the</strong>yhad no artillery but ; <strong>the</strong>y managed to deceive <strong>the</strong>ir watchful enemies in FortLawrence, near by. <strong>The</strong>y provided sections <strong>of</strong> trunks <strong>of</strong> birch, maple <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rhard, well-grown trees, which <strong>the</strong>y shaped <strong>and</strong> bored after <strong>the</strong> fashion <strong>of</strong> cannon,securing <strong>the</strong>m from end to end with cordage, <strong>and</strong> from one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se <strong>the</strong>y regularlyfired a morning <strong>and</strong> evening gun as is customary in garrisons. Upon <strong>the</strong> reduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> place by Monckton, an enquiry was made for <strong>the</strong> cannon, <strong>and</strong> it was<strong>the</strong>n discovered how <strong>the</strong> force in Fort Lawrence had been deceived.12

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!