IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I S IIIIIM e m !f m 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► VQ <^ /2 % / y /f;^ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ N^ \ # \\ *% V <^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 1? X" ■^3 F0» CA] «% ^-( DOMINION ARTILLERY ASSOCIATION. PRIZE ESSAY, FOR THE MEDAL PRESENTED BY HIS EXCELLENCY '. IE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF DUFFERIN, P C, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., K.P., GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA. ON THE SUPPLY, CARE AND REPAIR OF ARTILLERY MATERIEL. INCLUDING SMALL ARMS AND AMMUNITION, FOR CANADIAN MILITIA, BY CAPT. AND BT. LT. COLONEL C. E. MONTIZAMBERT. "J? " Battery, Canadian Artillery, School of Gunnery, Q\iebec. J-UJliY, 1877. SECOND EDITION. OTTAWA : Printed by Mac Lean, Roger & Co., Wellington Street. 1878. UF SZO 1 ( EXTRACTS FROM MILITIA GENERAL ORDERS. HEAD QUARTERS, Ottawa, 23bd Maroh, 18*7*7. ♦•»■ Dominion Artillery Association. MEDAL FOR ESSAY, His Excellency the Earl of Dufferin, K.P., &c., Governor- General of Canada, has been graciously pleased to express his intention of offering a medal for the best essay on the Supply, Care and Repair of Artillery maUriel^ including Small Arms and Ammunition, for Canadian Militia, to be competed for by Officers of the Canadian Militia Artillery, being members of, or belonging to coi-ps affiliated with, the Dominion Artillery Association. Officers or others who have served in the Royal, or Royul Marine, Artillery to be excluded from competition. The essays to be distinguished only by a motto, not that of any Artillery corps, and the manuscript not to be in the hand- writing of the competitors. ' I Th3 essays to be sent to the President ot Council, Domin- ion Artillery Association, Quebec, before the last day of July, 187*7. Th 3 judges to be Officers of the Royal Artillery, viz : Tho Inspectors of Artillery, and the Professor of Artil- lery, Military College, Kingston. Tho essays may be in English or French ; subject matter will be considered of more importance than style. Quotations and extracts from works bearing on the subject may be freely made use of, but the names of the authors so quoted must be given in foot or marginal notes. Tho best essay will be printed at the expense of the Dominion Artillery Association, and distributed to members. Ottawa, 28th September, ISW. 18?/thTf 1 % ^"- ' °^ ''*"«'"" Omers (7) 23.^ Mai^h, artinery ma«„«/, .Deluding small arms and ammunition H 9 Exeelleney the Earl of Dufferin, K. P &c is in th« opinion of the judges, that bearing the moto " C Zt, das mja von GmU aus Blasenoiu / " SchiUor Ottawa, 12th October, 1877. ,fi«»'*'^™''""*^ *° ^''- ' °'' <^°"«™' O"^*™ (19) 28th Sent 1877 Captain and Biwet Lieutenant-Colonel Charle Edwarf Monfzambert,..B" Battery School of Gunnery, C„.Ueris med7 """ ■B''^*™'^^/" Schiller, which obtains the r, 1877. I'd March, repair of munition, sen ted by is, in the otz blitz I r, 1877. Ith Sept., I Edward uohec, is ? / das ist tains the THE SUPPLY, CARE AND REPAIR OF ARPILLERY MATERIEL, INCLUDING SMALL ARMS AND AMMUNITION, FOR CANADIAN MILITIA. Potz hli'z ! Das ist ya von Gustle aus Blaserwitzt > Schiller. On the w thdrawal from the Canadian Dominion of the Imperial Legicns in the fall of 1871, a transfer was made of a considerable a:Tiount of warlike stores and matiriel from the British to the Canadian Government, of which the late Sir George Cartier was then Premier, and Minister of Militia and Defence; Lt.-Col. Robertson Ross (late 25th King's Own Borderers), being Adjt.-General, and Col. Powell Dep.-Adjt.- General, of Militia. Lt.-Col . Wily, Director of Stores and Keeper of Militia properties, took over the numerous build- ings, lands, guns and war matiriel generally, given by the Imperial to the Dominion Government to start the latter fairly in the art of self defence. After the march out from the Citadel of Quebec, of three batteries of the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery, three companies Royal Engineers, and the Ist Battalion 60th Ro^'^al Rifles under Col. Gordon, the last British troops quartered in the Canad&s, the keys of the strong old Keep were handed over by General Hamilton, R.B., Commandant, to Lf.-Col. Strange, R.A., who, with an incipient battery of Canadian gunners, undertook the important duties of the Garrison of Quebec, and has ever since kept flying over the Citadel that glorious flag the Union Jack, which for so many years has without interruption floated proudly on the grand old Fortress. Portions of the then existing armaments of the military posts, St. John, Quebec, Montreal, Kingston and Toronto, came to us as a free gift ; and the roll looks imposing enough as far »8 the number of pieces of ordnance is concerned, 6 We took over at St. John, N.B 26 pieces. " « Quebec 1S1 " •• *' Montreal 33 " «» ** Kingston.....' 86 " - ** Toronto 9 " 340 in all. With the exception, however, of ten T' Armstrong B. L. E. guns at Quebec, these consisted of old S. B. cast iron pieces, guns, cai-ronades, howitzers and mortars. OARRISON ARTILLERY. The guns, 68, 56, 32 and 24 pi-s., are of little use where now mounted, and are to be replaced in the principal fortresses by more modern weapons. These S. B, guns would be useful for the armament of gunboats on the lakes, nothing much heavier being likely to be brought against them on those inland waters. Predominance on the upper lakes, especially on Lake Ontario, is of the first importance. On this subject Col. Fletcher, Scots Fusilier Guards, late Mil.-Sec. to H. E. the Governor-General, says in a very able lecture on Canadian Defence: — :i " Cjute que coute, the command of Lake Ontario must be " secured and maintained, * * * and, above all, Kingston " would have to be placed beyond the possibility of capture." Of the 68 pre. there are two mounted in coast batteries at St. Johr, N.B. The 56 pr. class is represented by one gun in Fort Henry at Kingston, where it would doubtless give a good account of anything likely to be bro'ight against it. Not so with the heavier 68 prs. at St. John, that port being open to the attack of armoured cruisers. The carronades and howitzers, firing charges of case and grape, would answer very well for the flank defence of ditches and curtains ; and those in artillery charge are, most of them, at present mounted in positions for that purpose. In more ml all sel laj ar stJ ol| fo: he COS. « ;( 11. gB.L.R. >n pieces, se where rortressea useful for 1 heavier e inland 3n Lake ect Col. • E. the 'anadian nust be ingston ipture." eries at Henry 5unt of ith the attack ise and 1 itches them, more modern armaments the caponnieroH would bo armed with gatlings, probably of a calibre sufficiently large (Hay 66) to allow of the bullets breaking scaling ladders.* Tho mortars given over wore 13'', 10'' and 8", land and sea service. There are also 12 and 18 pr. siege guns, one battery of tho latter with carriages and waggons complete at Quebec, and another at Montreal. Formerly tho Royal Artillery had 40 pr. wed;2:o Ann- strong R. Hiege guns; these are about the same woigl t as the old 18 pr. S. B., and are of course an infinitely superior arm for the purpose for which they are intended; none of them, however, were left in the country on Dominion charge. Of tho ten T" B. L. E. oi-dnance, four .i;o mounted "en barbette*^ on the salient bastions of the citadel ot Quebec ; three, with their stores, carriages, platforms r v] ra?ors, ai; lying, one in each of tho splendid forts at toint Levi..*, opposite Quelc'o , but as yet the necessary concrete pl&t lorms have not been laid dow.i. The caponnieres of these forts are armed with sixteen 32 pr. carronades ; a poor substitute for tho complete armament of rifled guns otfered as a free gift by tho Imperial Govern- ment, which was as follows : — On B. Tbav'g. Platforms. On Trav'o. Cakriaoes. No. IFort.... No. 2 Fort.... No. 3 Fort.. . 7-7" B. L. R. 10 " •' 10 » " 4-40 pr. R L. R. 4 «« «« 8-10" mortars. ■J << <( •J U (t 12 capr. guns. 10 " " 10 " •• One of these guns is lying in the park of tho old Artillery Barracks at Quebec, intended to be mounted in an angle of the works commanding the head of Dorchester Bridge — the only * An exhaustlvepamphlet on " Mitrailleuses or Machine Quns," has been written by Capt. J. F. Owen, R.A., Capt. Inst. Royal Gun Factories, and their tactical use treated of In a Lecture, entitled : "The Uatllug Gun : Its place In Tactics," by Capt. E. Rodgers, F.R.G.S.— Journal of the Royal United service Insiitation>—l4o. ucxzu. Vk*' approach to the city from across the St. Charles Eiver. Before leaving, the Eoyal Engineers laid down the racers for this gun ; but the concrete has never been filled in. The remaining two were sent in 1874 to Kingston, where they now remain in charge of " A " Battery School of Gunnery. This class of gun is almost obsolete in the British service. It is a good gun for land defence, h extremely accurate, and from the comparatively large capacity of its common shell, which weighs filled 98 lbs., bursting charge T lbs. 10 oz., would be very efl'ective against earthworks. The other projectiles used with this gun are segment and shrapnel shell and case shot. We have no 1 inch shrapnel in the country. Large quantities of this projectile are, or were lately, lying piled in Woolwich Arsenal, and probably might be obtained at a low cost. The complicated and delicate breech mechanism is against the gun, and has been known in the severe winters of this climate to become immovable from the oil or drifting snow freezing between the bearings. An Armstrong armourer and peculiar tools are needed to keep it in order ; the vent-piece requires constant attention ; and the special stores and fittings used with it are many and varied. Some years ago two 64-32 pr. Palliser converted, and three S. B. 32 prs., with their carriages and stores complete, were handed over by the Imperial authorities at Halifax as a free gift to the Dominion. They have been mounted for drill pui-poses by the Eoyal Artillery, and form an addition to the heavy ordnance on Canadian charge. There are also three 32 prs. and an old iron 6 pr. mounted on an earthwork commanding the entrance of the bay of Charlottetown, Prijice Edward Island. Mi^ pui sei niai cepil FIELD ABTILLBBT. There are in Canada sixteen batteries in ail. Until 18*71 these corps, with one exception, were armed ^7ith S. B. M. L. bronze pieces, three guns and one howitzer to each battery. Since then, however, they have nearly all been provided with 9 •. Before this gun ; aing two main in I service, rate, and 9n shell, z., would rojectiles and case . Large J piled in at a low anism is inters of ing snow urer and ant-piece I fittings ted, and )mplete, [fax as a for drill to the lounted [bay of il 1811 f.M.L. ittery. with the latest 9 pr. M. L. R. gun of 8 cwt., and the most modem wrought iron carriages with Madras wheels from the "Wool- wich Royal Gun and Carriage Factories. There are sixty of these guns now in use by the Canadian Militia. The 9 pr. of 6 cwt. would perhaps have suited our purpose better. ^ The Halifax Field Battery alone was then and still is served out with six of the B. L. R. 6 pr. guns of 3 cvrt. (Colo- nial Service.) "Waggons were not imported with the 9 prs. with the ex- ception of four, which were given to the London Field Battery. The two Schools of Gunnery have also these guns, and there are four at Red River in possession of the Winnipeg Field Battery. The North-West Mounted Police have in charge four 7 pr, M. L. R. mountain guns, 200 lbs. weight, and two 9 pr. 6 cwt, M. L. R. guns. There are no other pieces in the North- West belonging to the Dominion except a few S. B. bronze field guns, and some Coehorn mortars at Fort Garry, Manitoba. During a late discussion before the members of the Royal Colonial Institute, on Capt. Coulombe's paper on " Imperial and Colonial responsibilities in war," " Capt. Bedford Price, M. P., expressed indignation at the supineness of successive Governments with reference to the defenceless state of Van- couver's Island, the depot for all the stores for our naval force in the Pacific. If Russia within the next few months were to declare war against us, Vancouver's Island, with all the stores, would be at her mercy. As to our fleet, Russia, having a larger force, and means of telegraphic communication with them, which were not at our disposal, would be able, long before our ships on the Pacific station could hear of the declara- tion of war, to dispose of them in detail." Our fellow-countrymen in British Columbia generally are alive to the fact of their having no adequate supplies of matiriel wherewith to defend ther lelves ; and several articles have of late appeared in the papers on the subject. At St. Johns, Quebec, and Montreal, points liable to be a I i 1^ 10 attacked by armoured ships, somo of the heavier gnns should be mounted, such as those at Halifax, 12, 18 and 25 ton guns ; notably on the formidable fortress of Quebec, the key of Canada, where there is a Battery of Canadian Artillery to take care of and, if necessary, use them. The fifteen 64-32 pr. E. M. L. Palliser converted guns of 68 cwt., now ai'riving, will be a great accession to the Cana- dian armament ; but they are now used as shell guns only in the English service, and no Palliser projectiles have been sent out with them. With the Palliser chilled shot and a battering charge they could pierce, at short ranges, the weaker iron- clads. From the high command of the Citadel of Quebec, pro, jectiles from these guns aimed at the decks of iron-clads would tell with good effect. A vessel's deck, when she is approach- ,ing bow on, offers a favorable parallelogram of error, elevation being a far more difficult matter than direction. . The fact that the present supply of 32 pr. carriages and side-arms would answer also for these guns was an economical inducement for their purchase. Some guns of a heavy nature mounted d fleur d'eau at Indian Cove, or at the head of the Island of Orleans, would command the channel. It is to be hoped that the 64-32 prs. are but the avant garde of some of their larger brethren, and thai the Eastern cities of the Dominion may be put in a position to reply in a sterner tone if called upon to speak at all — an cwent in these warlike times perhaps not wholly improbable. Laisn^ in his "Aide-mSmoire portatif du gSnie " (Paris 1861); lays down the formula for the whole number of guns to defend a bastion fort, as follows : No. of guns =:146-|-5 (M. 2), M. being the number of bastions. Taking the Fortress of the Citadel of Quebec with five bastions we would have 146 -f 5 (5-2) = 161 guns. It is to be presumed that this formula would still hold good unless there existed a great difference in weight of metal between the guns of the besiegers and besieged. The Bti-ong- pins should 5 ton guns ; the key of irtillery to I'ted guns of ) the Cana- juns only in ire been sent i a battering 'eaker iron- Quebec, pro. -clads would is approach- >r, elevation • irriages and economical eur d'eau at leans, would Lt the avant he Eastern o reply in a ent in these me " (Paris 3r of guns to 6+5 (M. 2), rtress of the lave 146 -f- 5 d still hold ght of metal The Strang* 11 hold just alluded to is armed, at present, with nine of the weakest class of garrison rifled guns in the service and a few obsolete smooth bores. The armament proposed for this fortress by the Imperial Government was as follows : For Quebec Citadel and works facing the river, as ap- proved 9, 5, 68, Canada, ^ : 9*' M. L. R 12 tons 9 It" o tr « 4 r' ^* 82 cwt 13 Caponniere guns 39 64pr. B. L 9 24" S. B 10 As long as our present relations with the Empire con- tinue, it is scarcely likely that we shall go into the manufac- ture of cannon, or even military small arms, however desirable it may be that the maUrid used with them should be made in this country. V AMMUNITION. The supply of ammunition, and artillery matiriel gener- ally, is exceedingly small. From the reports of Lt.-Colonel Wily, Director of Stores, it will be seen that about 100 rounds per gun for land and 200 for coast defence were given us in 1811. Since then a considerable quantity of shot and shell has been expended at practice by the different batteries ; what ought to be the service ammi^nition having to be so used, as there is no proper reserve in the country. Cartridges are made up in the Laboratory at Quebec by the men of the Gunnery School, and supplied to the Dominion. There is a proportionate supply of fuzes, tubes, &c. They are not however improving with age, and their district distri- hution is rather eccentric, ^ 12 The Begulations on this head for the Eoyal Artilloty ar» given in Army Circular, War Office, Ist December, 1816, Clause 170, as follows: — " Garrison Artillery — Fuzes and Tubes — Ist. The propor- tion of fuzes and tubes to be maintained for Gan-ison Ordnance will be as laid down in the details contained in the equipment warrant, 1876. (Revised Army Regulations, Vol. Ill, page 59 to TH.) 2nd. Half of these proportions will be in charge of the Royal Artillery; th? other half will, in time of peace, be held in reserve by the Ordnance Store Department at the depot upon which the forts and batteries are dependant for their supplies." The Boxer wooden time fuze gets to burn slowly if kept too long, possibly from the sulphur in the composition deteri- orating. These fuzes might with advantage be made in the country. The T'^ B. L. R. gun here has for its percussion fuze only the old obsolete Pillar fuze, fitting the Moorsom gauge of the shells on charge. These fuzes, besides being obsolete, are not now reliable from sheer old age. The Dominion Inspector of Artillery has applied for a supply of Pettman's G. S. percus- sion fuzes for these guns, and there should be a store of them on hand. The wooden carriages, gyns, quoins, tampeons, skidding, levers, handspikes, platforms, sponge staves, rammers, and wooden stores generally which are used with Garri8on and Field guns are decaying and being expended by wear and tear throughout the country, and there is no provision at present for their being replaced by any manufactured in the Dominion. We ought not, surely, to import wood goods into Canada, at a cost of probably about three times that at which they could be made here, the staple export of the country being timber. Of the woods used for military purposes we have oak, beech, ash, rock- elm, fir (pine and spruce), cedar (for ammu- nition boxes, fittings, &c.,) chestnut, hickory, birch, rock- maple, walnut, and for £*?ound platforms, juniper, hackmatack, frc 8C^ it Qi bel SU] th< oal 13 tillorj are ber, 1816, lie propor- Ordnance squipment III, page charge of peace, be int at the ndant for \y if kept )n deteri- ^e in the fuze only ge of the 3, are not ipector of . percus- of them skidding, lers, and ison and and tear present omiuion. Ida, at a could be iber. ve oak, amma- I rock- matack, It is said that a ship came into Halifax a few years ago from England, laden with birch-brooms, step-ladders, brashes, scrabbers, broom-handles, &c., for the use of the troops; and it is a matter of history that the flag-staff of the Citadel of Qaebec had to make two voyages across the Atlantic before being qualified for its present elevated position. Within our own Dominion we have also mines which can supply iron equal to any English or other obtainable — notably the mines and works at Londonderry, Nova Scotia, which turn oat iron and steel of the finest quality. ' SUPPLY OP SMALL ARMS. There are at present in Canada about 80,000 stand of Snider-Enfield rifles, long and short, serviceable and unservice- able; also 2,500 new Martini-Henry rifles of the pattern now in nse in the British service. The latter have not as yet been issued ; and it may become & question if they ever should be, unless the arm is adopted in toto, and supplied to all rifle corps of the Volunteer Militia. Confusion in the supply of ammunition might possibly happen, and would not be a good feature. Besides the above, arms and accoutrements for one thous- and men were sent in 1872 to Victoria, British Columbia. The Snider-Enfield is an excellent soldier's weapon, and is most specially suited to the Volunteer services. The mechan- ism is simple, strong, and little liable to go out of gear ; and when it does so it is easily repaired. As an arm of precision it is wonderfully good up to any range likely to be often required in a thickly wooded country sach as Canada. Although having a slow twist in the rifling, and a cart- ridge containing a charge of only 2^ drachms of P. G. powder, with a cylindro-conoidal bullet of -577 diameter, groat accuracy is obtained by the hollowing out of the centre of the bullet, giving increased centrifugal force. The space left in the head of the ball used to be filled up by a wooden plug; but in the later make this space is left void, and the top is span over 14 n with lead. The open space in the centre of the base is filled up with a pressed o.lay plug. Including the reserve militia with the active force, the number [of lighting men in Canada, liable in case of war to be called out, ranges from six to eight hundred thousand. Should there not be a far larger number of rifles in the country ? There must be in store in England any amount of service- able Snidor-Enfields, which have been replaced in the army by Martini-Henrys. Could not a number of the former, sufficient to form a proper reserve in Canada, be obtained from the Im- perial Government by the Dominion at a low cost? The Martini-Henry has certainly a flatter trajectory and longei* range ; but it is a more expensive and complicated arm, and has also a much greater recoil, probably owing chiefly to the high pitch of the rifling. This latter point is very much against it. No ordinary soldier will ever make cool and accurate shooting with a kicking weapon. For pistols we have only a small supply f old Colt's re- volvers, using the obsolete cap and paper cartridge. We ought to have Adam's Army Service pistol, a breech- loading central fire revolver, with copper cartridges. The Snider ammunition has so far been all supplied by purchase from the Imperial Government. Much of it is very old, and greatly deteriorated. That of marks IV, V and VI, some dating back as far as 1862, is not to be depended upon; and now for rifle matches a later make up to mark IX is bought by private individuals from importers. There is a small supply of mark IX in store ; but it is only issued on re- payment. These cartridges, and many other of the stores used, might advantageously be made in this country, at a saving to govern- ment sufilcient to nearly double the amount now available from the Militia Grant for such purposes. We ought also to take into serious consideration the probable stoppage soon of the manufacture in England of Snider ammunition, that arm being no longer the weapon of the army. le is filled force, the of war to thousand. Bs in the of service- > army by sufficient a the Im- Qtory and ated arm, chiefly to 3ry much cool and Colt's re- Wq ought ig central )plied by it is very and VI, ed upon; rk IX is lere is a ed on re- )d, might ) govern- available it also to ) soon of hat arm II Taking the statistics furnished in the yearly Militia Be- ports by the Director of Stores for the last two years (1875-76,) we find that the issue and sale of Snider cartridges, ball and blank, amount to no less than 2,503,184 rounds I ! 1 In the last year, 1876, the number of rounds sold to the different Eifle Associations, and for individual target practice, amounts to 511,302, with an issue by Government for Militia practice of 320,973 ; in all 832,275 rounds — exclusive of course of an immense number of cartridges purchased from importers for private practice, of which no statistics can be obtained. Looking at the returns of the last three years, it will be seen that the sale of ammunition to the Bifle Associations, corps, and private individuals for practice, was as follows : — 1874 142,040 rounds. 1875 231,870 " 1876 511,302 " Doubling every year ! Surely this is most gratifying, as showing the great and increasing interest taken by all ranks of the Dominion Militia in perfecting themselves in the use of their weapons. Much of this good effect is doubtless duo to the encouragement given by the various Eifle Associations, and notably by the " Dominion of Canada Eifle Association " under the presidency of Lt.-Col. C. S. Gzowski, whose exertions for and liberality towards Canadian marksmen can scarcely bo over estimated. In 1875 and '76, 36,261 lbs. of gunpowder and 22,000 Fric- tion Tubes, with the usual proportion of shot, shell, fuzes, &c., were expended for Field and Garrison Artillery practice. The Dominion Artillery Association, lately organized by Lt.-Col. Strange, E.A., Dominion Inspector of Artillery, is having the same good efl'ect in fostering gun-practice ; though it is only right to say that it cannot be expected to develop in the same way the expenditure of Artillery ammunition until the subscriptions to the Association are largely augmented, as private practice with this arm can rarely be carried on. The above figures show conclusively the lai'ge and rapidly increasing expenditure of matiriel controlled by the Dominion 16 Government. Lot us hear what Lt.-Col. Robertson Ross, formerly Adjt.-General of Militia, has had to say on the subject of these stores being manufactured in Canada. His remarks on this subject are embodied in his reports on the state of the Militia, and date back as far as 18*72 : "Hitherto the supplies of uniform, clothing, military equipment, small arms, small arm ammunition, rifled field guns, ammunition for field and garrison artillery, &c., &c., and military stores generally, have been obtained almost entirely from the Imperial Government, or from private contractors in England. " It appears to me that the time has now arrived when an alteration in this system might be adopted, to a very gi*eat extent, with advantage. " The desirability of expending in the country, as far as possible, the money voted for the annual supply of these stores is obvious, but I would especially call attention, on military grounds, to the necessity for commencing the manufacture of small arm ammunition, and such warlike stores as are annually required for practice, and for the maintenance of a sufficient reserve. " As regards gunpowder, an article of the first military importance, and which could not be obtained in time from England, should a audden emergency arise, Lt.-Col. French,* Inspector of Artillery and Warlike Stores, (formerly Inspector of Warlike Stores for the Imperial Government at Quebec, and consequently a competent authority,) has reported to me on this subject, as follows : " Having reference to the ammunition required for gun practice for the current year, I have the honor to point out that, for various reasons, it would be desirable to ascertain if the powder could not be manufactured in the country. " In December, 1871, 1 inspected the powder mills near Hamilton, and I feel satisfied from that inspection as well as fr. ubi is bul rii abil coil sh( c\o\ be pre . * This officer, while In the Dominion, did much for the Canadian Militia of hi* own arm. U^ ion Ross, le subject I remarks Eite of the military ifled field ,, &c., and t entirely ractors in [ when an 3ry gi*eat , as far as lese stores I military facturo of annually sufficient military me from rench,* pec tor bee, and me on for gun loint out jrtain if [lis near well as . MlUtla ns from conversation with the manager and foreman, that a suit- ublo powder for heavy guns could bo produced al those mills. "The fine brand of powder known as * Dominion Rifle ' is an exeoUent powder. I have used it a great deal myself; but the fact that it is used in a great measure by small-bore riflemen is sufficient proof of its excellence. " It is, I suppose, needless for me to mention the advis- ability of encouraging the manufacture of gunpowder in the country; at the same time it will be necessary, if Government should contract with manufacturers for this article, to look closely after its manufacture, in order that the conditions may be as similar as possible to the manufacture of the powder at present in store. " I have received from the Superintendent of the Govern- ment Powder Factory at Waltham Abbey, England, specifica- tions for the supply of powder by contract, &c., &c. I shall be happy to submit the necessary conditions if required." Col. Robertson Ross continues, "and with regard to the general question of the manufacture and repair of warlike stores in this country, that officer reports to me as follows:" " 1 have the honor again to bring to your notice the advis- ability of commencing, even on the smallest possible scale, the manufacture and repair of those warlike stores most needed for the defence of this country. ■ "I would submit for your information the following figures, which will be in themselves a sufficient proof of this fact on the score of economy ; from a defensive point of view, however, the economy is a secondary consideration. Imperial Gov't. Prices. B. L. G. Gunpowder, per 100 lbs Snider Cartridges per 1000. . . < Ball \ Blank. . No. 1 Bal- j No 2 Bal- j ance Sheet. ance Sheet. £ 1 s. d. £ H. d. 2 1 10 Hi. 4 7 4i 2 1 16 11 10 3 1 10 u 3 1 Vide "Priced Vocabulary, 1871." a '] : I 18 " No. 1 Balance sheet h the cob! of production ; No. 2 is, I presume, a protection to British manufacturerH. " The Canadian Government have to pay five per cent, more than No. 2 Balance Sheet if the articlen are purchased in England, or 15 per cent, more if purchased in the Dominion. Thus, the gunpowder would cost the Dominion almost 100 per cent, more than its cost in England. " In addition to this 100 per cent, there is the fact that for making up cannon and small arm cartridges, repairing small arms, gun-carriages, &c., there are numbers of public buildings lying idle; the use of these, rent free, would be al- most a set-off to the increased price of labor in this country, particularly if it be borne in mind that the labor of children is employed to a large degree in certain of the minor operations.* " I would in conclusion submit that the establishment of an arsenal on a small scale may be pressed on the attention of the Government." Col. Eobertson Ross says further, " with regard to the suggestions of the Inspector of Artillery and warlike stores, I concur entirely in the views submitted by that officer." " Reference to the Militia estimates shows that a very considerable sum is voted annually for military stores, &c. For instance, in the Financial Estimates for the year ending 30th June, 1872, the following sums were included, viz : — "Ammunition $139,109 00 Clothing 130,000 00 Military Stores (including storage however) 8.5,683 00 Ordnance Stores and Equipment for Field and Garrison Batteries.... 33,606 00 For improved Fire-ai'ms 142,055 00 $530,453 00 " Although this amount exceeds the average expenditure, it is evident that a very large sum of "noney has hitherto (and *Inthl8yearofgrace, 1877, labor in Canada can be obtained as cheaply as in tbe mother country. I ; No. 2 is, per cent. urchased in Dominion. almost 100 le fact that , lopairing of public ould be al- ls country, children is porations.* ishmont of attention of ard to the ike stores, cer." lat a very es, &c. For tiding 30th 00 00 00 00 00 00 penditure, lerto (and d as cheaply 19 I believe anf.voidably) been expended out of the country, the greater portion of which might now, on military and other grounds, be exj)ended with advantage in the country." These sound recommendations have been strongly seconded by Lt.-Ck)l. Strange, R. A., Dominion Inspector of Artillery, in his report of 1874, and also by Lt.-Col. Irwin, Inspector of Artillery. The logic of such figures as the above seems undeniable, and it is only to be wondered at that our rulers,so keen in reduc- ing the estimates, should not as yet have seen tit to take up the question. Why should we not have an os^ 4,blishment started for the manufacture of Munitions de Guerre, when, besides other con- siderations, such an obvious saving can be made ? There would, of course, be a certain outlay necessary in the purchase of " plant;" but the difference in price between Balance Sheet No. 1 and Balance Sheet No. 2 is so great that it is only fair to suppose that the saving to the country i^ the firet year alone would amply cover such expense. No General would like to have to fight in a theatre of operations more than 3,000 miles from the base of supply ; and the problem is not improved by the base in question being nearly inaccessible during about five months in the year. The reserve of both artillery matiriel and small arm ammunition is so small* that in the event of hostile attack, Inrge supplies would be wanted from the mother country. At such a time she would be driving her magnificent factories of war matiriel at high pressure fur her own needs, and our demands would come at a truly inconvenient season. Would it not be in our interest in every way to do some- thing iu this line for ourselves ? •In his report for ls76, the Major-General commanding says :— •' Our reserve of rifle ammunition is particularly small ; we have only 150 rounds for each stand of rifles in tlie country. This is, at least, cue-half too little, keeping in view the rapidity with which breech-loading arms can be flred. In the item of powder, too, our reserve is too small for Garrison or Field Artillery in time of necessity. In 1875 the General Reserve in store through- out the Dominion was only : — Gunpowder 188,576 lbs. S. A. Ammunition 6,902,163 rounds. Snider Uifles, long and short 19,820 Camp Equipment for about 60,000 men. i 20 On (fovernmont land at (^uoboc, and Hurroundod hy vacant ;^roand to a Hofo distanco from tho dvvellin^H of the city, lioH a «;roup of labonitory dwollin^^s, hiiili for Imporiiil uhcs hy tho Royal Engineei"M, utui well adiijited as WDi'Ushops for tlio pur- pose suggcjitud. They ai-o iit purioct onlor; and a part of them irt at pre.sctit used by the Qiiobec (iiiimory School for making up <-artri(lgos, &c., for tho Doiuiinoii. Ijur^'c earthen travei*!*es arc erected between each building, to lessen the effei't of an accidental explosion should such a thing occur. There is plenty of (loveiriment ground for Htoro-houses ; and in this place a second class Arsenal, which is what wo need, could be easily established. Here, under the guns of the Citadel, and tho supervision of a scientitic officer of the Eoyal Artillery, might bo com- menced a manufacture, on however small a scale, of matiriel needed and used in Canada. Artillery officers superintending the manufacture of material, even on a small scale, in such an arsenal, would furnish data as to cost of production which would be useful in checking the prices of contractors on a larger scale. Here also all warlike supplies furnished couid be tested for accept- ance. ^ The new and delicate moans for proof and examination of gunpowder as carried on at Waltham Abbey are given in detail in the "'Hand-book of the manufacture and proof of gun- powder,'' as carried on at tho Eoyal Gunpowder Factoiy, Waltham Abbey, by Ca])t. F. M. Smith, E, A., Assistant Superintendent. Le Boulenge's Chronoscope used there in testing the action of the gunpowder when fired has been very fully described by Lieut, C. Jones, R. A., (a Canadian), in a pamphlet on this subject. In that ably written book, the " History of the Royal Artillery." by Major F.Duncan, R. A., we read how in the olden time the command of Albert Borgard, 1st Colonel of the Regiment, and a well foughten old man he was, contained within itKelf, with its q^uaint old stall' of engineers, petardiers, mat- all 21 1 hy vacant city, lioH a iHos by the H' tlio pur- Ji |)urt. of School for [(0 oarthon lesson tho [f occur. >ro-li()U808 ; is what wo supervision it be cora- of maUriel fact II re of jnjil, would )e useful in ale. Iloro for accept- tiination of on in detail 3f of gun- • Factoiy, Assistant the action scribed by Dt on this the Eoj^al low in tho ^iioi of the led within iers, mat- roflsoH, tinmen (whatever they may bo), tont-makors and arti- ficers of every kind, the skilled artisans necessary for supplying all the wants of an Artillery "Trayne." Coming down to a later period, tho immonso depot Brigade of Artillery drivers at Woolwich and elsewhere, doiti^ all the carting work previous to the Crimean War, furnished tho moans of an immediate and great extension to the Artillery. Gunners also wore laigoly employed in tho arsenals and work-shops — thereby obtaining a thorough knowlebability of 3 continues c, in every i^g popula- the estab- wo might 3ould in a ■ business, 26 and applied to the production of warlike stores, supplementing and extending the smaller organization of peace time. " In foreign states we look for large arsenals at the great pivots and bases of offensive and defensive operations guarded by fortresses* which have grown up with the necessity for the supply and renewment of the manoeuvring armies." With regai'd to the administration of such an arsenal, our essayist goes on to say : ****** I think few will be inclined to dispute the assertion that the manufacture and supply of warlike stores require special training ; and that in addition to the knowledge required of stores in their passive state, the officer charged with supply should have a practical knowledge of the use of the same. Without this, while it is possible that a de- partment might supply stores with regularity in the time of peace, it would probably fail in the time of war or emergency, because it would not know what stores should take precedence in manufacture or despatch, nor what may be supplied in lieu of those of another kind when the stock of the stores required is exhausted. " But it may be asserted that it is impossible to obtain a man practically acquainted with, and competent to deal with all natures of stores. This is perfectly true; but an artillery officer who knows his profession and the requirements of the other branches of the service, who has passed through the manufacturing courses, will probably be found to best fulfil all the necessities of the case, provided he is assisted by men capable of dealing with the work to bo done, in a practical fashion, t * •' But these should be something more than fortresses— they should contain sufficient material for a great army in Artillery fire-arms, provi- sions of all kinds, workshops, arsenals, hospitals ; In fact, collecting all the raw material whlcli naturally flows, from the surrounding district into a great city, they should be capable of converting it, by means of a large population of artizans, and of extensfve manufactories, into the material of war— of turning brass into cannon. Iron Inlo projectiles and rifles, wood into trains of waggons, wheat into biscuit, canvas into tents, &c."—IIa7nley'a Operations of War, 2nd Edition, p. 307 . t Upon this portion of the subject, the recommendation of the two Committees known respectively as Lord Strathnalrne's Committee on Sup- Sly and Transport, 1867, and Lord Northbrook's Committee on the conduct of ;u8ine88 in the Army Departments, 1870, bear very strongly. The opinion of the former was, as la well known, in favor of a distinct " The magazines, although forming an integral part of the administration of an arsenal, would bo placed in poKitions of safety, consistent with facility of supply. The chief points to be attended to are : — " (1) Precautions for safety. " (2) Freedom from damp. " (3) Ventilation. " The regulations for the safety of magazines do not need repetition here, as every officer is expected to know them as contained in the Queen's Eegulations. " The separation of combustible stores is an important point, i. e., the division of powder, which should be kept by itself, from other stores ; tubes, fuzes, cartridges, (empty and filled,) &c., being kept in a separate magazine. In all maga- zines very clear arrangement is necessary ; and a list of the stores contained should always be placed on the exterior door, the quantity being inserted in a column which may be renewed from time to time by pasting over strips of paper, All cases and barrels should be legibly labelled. * * * *' In a second-class arsenal, * * * large factories would be replaced by work-shops for the performance of minor processes analogous to the larger operations. We should require:— " 1. A work-shop containing lathes, and all machines for turning, boring and fitting. " 2. Smith's shop and forges. " 3. (a) Carpenter's and wheeler's shops, where carriages might be made and repaired ; (6) cooper's shop ; (c) painter's shop. ordnance department, and was as follows :—" That the custody and manage- ment of arms and munitions of war is so special a duty that it could not be oonveniendy connected with that of other supplies, but that it should be a distinct branch In close connection with the Royal Artillery, who are trained and professionally qualified for such duties." Lord Northbrook's Committee, however, considered that this would destroy " unity of administration " and recommended "that the Control De- fartment should consist of two main sections in the War Office, and In the ie Id :— One for providing and issuing articles required for the daily con- sumption of an army— such as food, forage, fuel and light, and for the ad- ministration of transport, and the other for the receiving and issuing of all other stores. The latter division should be placed under an officer who has a professional acquaintance with munitions of war. • * • • • The education and training which an Artillery Officer receives is precisely that required for an officer of this division of the Control Department." :ral part of in poHitions chief pointB do not need low them as important be kept by (empty and n all maga- a list of the terior door, be renewed All cases e factories !e of minor We should ichinos for 3 carriages ) painter's md manage- it could not It should be 'y, who are thi8 would Control De- }, and In the ! dally con- for the ad- ssulng of all 3r who has a • • Is precisely nent." 21 ' " 4. Collar-maker's shop, for repair of harness, tents, &o. "5. Laboratory, where all the simpler kinds of ammuni- tion might be made up. " 6. Armoury workshops, with all the lathes and tools for the repair of .small arms." CARE. The care of the heavy ordnance, which is mounted and in Artillery charge in Canada, is now almost exclusively in the hands of the Gunnery Schools, in which — working under the orders of the Inspectors of Artillery — the officers, master gun- ners with their staff of district gunners, Armstrong armourers, sergeants, &c., keep the arm?.raent in a high state of efficiency. The S. B. cast iron guns are examined, scraped and paint- ed regularly ; those on land fronts once in two years, and those on sea fronts once a year. Gutta-Percha impressions when thought necessary are taken at the bottom of the vent, to detect the commencement of cracks round the lower ex- tremity of the copper bushing. This should always be done after every 200 rounds fired with projectiles. If found necessary the guns are re-vented, through-vented or condemned, as the case may require, by the Inspectors of Artillery, after examining the impressions taken by the Arm- strong armourers. The 64-32 pr. M. L. E. guns have a space for a shoulder cut in the metal of the bore where the bushing enters, and the copper is set up from below in.to this. With the appliances now available those guns could not be re-vented in Canada. Owing to the impossibility of furnishing the sentries who used to mount guard during the old regime, those guns not in use have their sights removed, preserving screws put in, and their vents stopped with putty. The latest regulations for the examination of rifled guns are given in a pamphlet containing " Directions for the Pre- servation of the Sights and Fittings, and for the Examination of Muzzle Loading Eified Guns, etc." War Office, August, 1872. .28 As regards the guns we have in Canada, the T'' B. L. B. and the 64 pr. M, L. E. (converted"), should be examined regu- larly after every 100 rounds with projectiles ; smaller guns after every 150 rounds. On the subject of " care" the Directors say, "It is neces- sary in order that rifled guns may bo always kept in a service- able condition that the bore of such guns, whether B. L. or M. L., from which practice is carried on, should bo kept slightly oiled to prevent rusting. At the close of each day's practice they will accordingly bo washed and placed under metal, and as soon as dry will bo oiled with a sponge and the muzzles closed with tampeons. When guns are not in constant use the bores will be lacquered, and the bright parts about the breech of the B. L. E. guns greased with the following mixture: — Tallow, 3 parts. / Lard oil, 1 part. White lead, about 1 lb. to a gallon. The vent-pieces, and all other fittings except the screws, will be removed." The M. L. rifled guns are liable to scoring of the bore, an erosive action due to the rush of gas round the projectile, par" ticularly over the seat of the shot, and to cracking of the steel inner tube. The extent of both is ascertained by gutta-percha impressions, and tho occurrence of the latter in the 64 pr. and larger natures is indicated by the tell-tale hole, or gas escape. Our 64-32 pr. being a converted cast-iron gun is much more dependent on tho strength of its tube than a wrought- iron one. The 9 pr. M. L. E. field guns and fittings should be kept clean and slightly oiled, and require attention from time te time when not in use to prevent rusting. Except during the annual training they are usually looked after by men employed for the purpose by tho Commanding Officers of Batteries. If any of these latter are of the " spit and polish " school, they may keep their guns vory bright by the use of the follow- ing receipt : — tui chj rial Su] Ai •7" B. L. E. imined regu- maller guns '• It is noces- in a service- • B. L. or M. ept slightly y's practice !• metal, and the muzzles lonstant use 8 about the e following the screws, he bore, an ectile, par* of the steel utta-percha 64 pr. and as escape, in is much wrought- d be kept m time te iuring the employed eries. h " school, the folio w- 29 A lacquer of, Eectified Spirits of Wine 1 quart. Dragons Blood 4 drs. Shellac 1 J^ oz. Put on with a soft brush ; it requires no rubbing. For repair of the carriages see " Notes on the Manufac- tures of the Eoyal Carriage Department," and supplementary chapter on the "Examination and Kepair of Artillery Car- riages, etc.," arranged by Major Oldfield, R. A., Assistant- Superintendent Royal Carriage Department, in Griffith's Artillerist's Manual, a book that ought to be in the possession of every Artilleryman. Memoranda of examination, or the " Medical History," as they are called, of each gun should be carefully kept ; and this is regularly done at the Gunnery Schools, as far as the guns in their charge are concerned. In this record are stated the defects of the gun at the time of its issue, tho number of rounds it has fired, and the result of the examinations it has undergone. The wooden carriages are also looked after and painted and puttied ; but there is at present no provision for their re- pair, which is constatly needed, nor for that of platforms ; and both are rapidly decaying everywhere. It is scarcely necessary to remark how important it is that every officer in charge of gunpowder magazines should be fully informed in every particular in connection with their care. Full instructions as to the use of the wet and dry bulb thermometer for finding the dew point, and ascertaining the proper lays for ventilation, and many other most important points, are given in the ** Regulations for gunpowder maga- zines," issued with Array Cii'cular, July, 1874. Every officer of our Military Store Department, which has solo control of the magazines, doubtless is familiar with these regulations, and has the necessary instruments for enabling him to carry them out. Every fine day is by no means necessarily a suitable one for purposes of ventilation. Fuzes and tubes can be kept in any safe and dry place, They are not allowed to be stored in a powder magazine, on account of containing detonating composition. The same rule applies to small arm cartridges. The other gun-stores and materials, such as side arms, tackles, &c., require little care, but much repair and constant renewing. As for the care and repair of small arms, Major-General Sir E: Selby Smyth, K. C. M. G., in his report on the Militia, 1 8*75, writes as follows: — " My former suggestion for a permanent Adjutant on the Staff of eafh Battalion* I do not urge. Though fully per- suaded of the advantage, yet I find the idea not generally accepted, besides being a greater expense than the estimates can at present aflFord. I still adhere, however, to the proposal for a permanent SergeantMajor capable in the highest degree of instructing in drill, discipline, and the duties of guards and sentries, who could also be the care-taker of the armouries and clothing stores. " The care of arms and clothing is full of difficulties in the peculiar constitution of the Canadian Militia organization. I know they should always, with certain unavoidable excep- tions, be kept at the head-quarters of the battalion. When rifle matches occur In rural companies a case of arms could easily be sent for the purpose and afterwards returned. " The rifles have been in use so long without examination by an armourer that I believe I am not exceeding the fact when I say that a large proportion of them are not fit for active service. This is really a very serious state of things — a soldier without his rifle or carbine would be useless. I last year urged the necessity for skilled armourers who should examine every rifle in use once a year, and eft'ect the necessary •The appointment of a permanent Adjutant and Sergeant-Major, and one trumpeter for each corps, was also a feature In the Militia Bill of Major- Qeneral Sir P. L. McDougall, when that distinguished officer was Adjutant- Oeneral of Canadian Militia. This Bill was most eminently suited to our requirements, and was, like its author, very popular with the Canadian Volunteers. Major-General Sir Daniel Lysons, K. C. B., Quarter-Master- Qeneral, then Col. Lysons, when serving in this country, also drew up a Militia Bill which contained a suggestion of this nature. The Government of the day lost office by failing to carry this efficient measure, but, well watered. It forms the basis of our present system which, however, like the original, Is weak in proper provision for the Artillery arm. il lagazine, on he same rulo B Bido arms, tnd constant [ajor-General I the Militia, iitant on the h fully per- 5t generally he estimates the proposal jhest degree f guards and mouries and liflficulties in »rganization. lable excep- ion. When arms could pned. examination ng the fact e not fit for of things — ess. I last who should je necessary nt-MaJor, and Bill of Major- was Adjutant- suited to our the Canadian larter-Master- 80 drew up a Government are, but, well ever, like the repairs. I again draw serious attention to this most important defect, and earnestly advise that skilled armourers should be imported from the small arms factory. Whether they should go round the various battalions and rural companies to repair the rifles on the spot, or whether the rifles should be assembled at certain fixed stations, is a matter of detail easily determined by ascertaining the most >nomical method. But, pray give us armourers to render these delicate weapons fit for use." To these able remarks nothing remains to be added. Arms kept together at the battalion hp^ad-quarters, as is the case with oity corps, are sufficiently numerous to require the attention of a paid cai'C-taker: and the I'ifles are properly looked after, as far, at least, as being kept clean is concerned. In the country, on the other hand, in many cases the Captains of companies have the care of their own arms, for which duty they receive an allowance of 840 per annum. They doubtless have the weapons properly cleaned, oiled, and stored away after the training; but if they are not looked at and gone over again from time to time, before the next year's turn-out they will be in anything but good condition. Even the best rangoon oil will rust a rifle if left on any length of time ; and if they happen to use any other, new rifles would probably have to be furnished before the next training. There are depots of maUriel at Toronto, Kingston, Mon- treal and Quebec, which ought, however, to be much larger. The most important stores are those at Montreal and Toronto. Both these places are unfortified, and perfectly open to hostile attack. It was at one time proposed to fortify Montreal, or rather to build a line cf forts at St. Lambert on the opposite side of the river, with a keep on St. Helen's Island, guarding the approaches to that magnificent work, the Victoria Bridge; but this scheme has since been abandoned. Lt.-Col. Strange, R. A., Dominion Inspector of Artillery, in one of his yearly reports recommends instead to guard the Tete du Font with an enciente of Montcriett' pits (armed with guns on Montcrielf carriages,) double revetted with timber, n,nd protected from assault by reverse fire palisaded galleries in the counterscarps of their ditches. This would atford pro- tection to the commercial capital at a minimum of cost. It would not be advisable to have large armouries in cities when no guard over them of any kind can be maintained. There are splendid corps of Volunteer Militia in each of the above-named places ; but should a riotous mob attempt to arm itself by a seizure of Government properly, the consequences might be serious. In the nature of things, a Volunteer corps, however good, takes, unless actually under training at the time, many hours to muster to any considerable strength. Chair a canon,'' if not exactly Artillery matiriel, is, at least, its raison d'etre — so this much it may be allowable to say, that these difficulties, and many others not coming under the subject of this paper, would be met by the embodying of corps as schools of cavalry and infantry, so strongly recom- mended by the Major-General commanding, or still better, by increasing the number and strength of the present Schools of Gunnery, and making them schools of all arms. The present Instructional Staff would almost suffice, with perhaps a slight addition ; the great gain would be that the present necessarily employed men would suffice for the whole. For instance, at each of the Schools of Gunnery there are, of necessity, guards, cooks, tailors, shoemakers, shoeing smiths, orderly-room clerks, a hospital establishment, mess establishment, provost, and in addition in this country the heavy duties of wood cutting, snow shovelling, etc., have to be done. These duties, done by a small isolated corps, would absorb nearly all available men, — and render very difficult that in- struction which should be the first object of a Military School. At Halifax, Quebec, Kingston and Ottawa, should be the principal armouries and depot centres, with issuing stores in every military district. The three former cities are fortified posts, and the latter is a long distance from the frontier, and has moreover a very efficient Militia force, including a fine Field Battery, a strong Brigade of Garrison Artillery, with a 88 led <^aIlories i aft'ord pro- i* cost, irios in cities maintained. each of the empt to arm onsequences intoer corps, ^ at the time, th. it^riel, is, at allowable to )ming under mbodying of ngly recom- 11 better, by it Schools of The present aps a slight I necessarily y there are, rs, shoeing ment, mess ountry the have to be ould absorb lit that in- ary School. )uld be the stores in ?e fortified ontier, and ling a fine ry, with a Battery of 24 prs. at Nopean Point, and the smart regiment of the Governor General's Foot Guards. The supply of Britiwh Columbia ought to entail separate arrangements, A depot ofmatiriel, and, perhaps, an arsenal, naval and military, might be established ul such a place, for instance, as Penetanguif^hono. Everything connected with the supply and equipment of our tii>t line, the Active Militia, ought to be in the most per- fect order, and so constituted as to be capable of indefinite ex- tension, without confusion, shouKl u sudden strain come u[)on it. Writing about what would probably occur in the event of anticipated hostilities, Col. Fletcher, in the lecture before alluded to, says : " What would the Government of Canada at once do? First, embody the Active Militia ; then complete to war strength the several Butteries and Ilogiments of Cavalry, adding guns, troops and battalions, so as at least to treble the strength of the present Active Militia, bringing up, at the veiy commencement of hostilities, the number to above 100,000 men." We have only 80,000 stand of arms in the country, and of these the General says, " a large proportion of them are not Jit for active service.'^ The days of fighting a Varme blanche, are gone forever among civilized nations. Our reserve of small arm ammunition ought to be nearer forty million rounds than six million rounds as at present ; and there should be camp equipment for at least the hundred thousand men above mentioned. That such a force would at once spring to arms is beyond question, as has been often proved of yore, and in more recent days, at the time of the Mason and Slidell affair, and in 1866 when the frontier farms of Canada were wi'ecked, and her sons shed their blood in repelling the Fenian hordes. K supplies for this number of men were on hand, and 34 tbey coold take the field at once, sufficient time would bo gained for the equipment of the paper army of the reserve, cor nndrilled landwefir. Thoee corps now efficient, and there arc many very fine ones, should be found in every requisite of a noldior, and be really ready to take the field at short notice in marching order complete in every respect. Probably but few could do this now ; perhaps, strictly speaking, none, with the exception of those embodied at the Schools of Gunnery. One regiment has no valises, another no huvrosacks ; and none have any proper boots or shoes. As articles of the very first necessity those latter have had honorable mention from Marshal Saxc, Wellington, and many a soldier since. In this country, tho men of our City Volunteer Militia Corps principally wear a boot with elastic sides, a narrow sole, and very high heels; tho first day's march would lame half a regiment. A large re8ei*ve of good boots for tho mounted services, and strong shoos, something like the ammunition shoe of the firitish Line Begiments, might bo kept on hand. Should they show signs of deteriorating from ago before being wanted they might bo issued free to tho force — which docs not get too much encouragement at present — and a fresh supply obtained. It is presumed that boots may bo treated of under the head of munitions de guerre ; they are not, at all events, munitwns de bouchCf except perhaps in very extreme cases. It behooves us in those ^varliko times to see that our house is in order, and to remembei that we are part and parcel of a great Empire over whicli i- aking the ' 36 practical and material view, let ns remember that onr mer> chant service is tho third largest in tho world, aod, as has been pointed out by a lato writer in tho Fall Mall Gazette, in every sea sails under the rogis of tho glorious old flag and backed by the full power of the Royal Navy of the Mistress of the Seas. In every port our seamen claim the aid and protection of tho British Consul, and all this at no cost to ourselves. True it is that our neighbours across tho line keep up bat a little standing army; but their case is not at all analogous to ours in Canada. They maintain a formidable naval force for the protection of their mercantile marine. Wo have not a single Canadian ship of war, and rely entirely upon the splendid navy of the little island which wo proudly call our mother country; and yet, with all tho heavy insurance paid for us so generously by her, wo havo as yet scarcely shouldered any of tho burden of the defence of the Empire. The Kingston Military College is a btop in the right direction ; the establishment of a small arsenal of our own would be another. We do not too greatly centralize our store of war matiriel, an error which told so disastrously against the gal- lant French in tho late war. Their bravery and desperate valour were fatally handicapped by the want of supplies. We do centralize, however, in peace time at least, the power of ordering tho issue of our military stores. Doubtless this system would be modified in time of danger ; but a groat military principle is sacrificed — that of practicing in peace what will havo to be done in war. The story of the Franco-Prussian War shows plainly a tale of sad disaster consequent upon these questions not being thoroughly worked up and arranged on a proper basis before the commencement of hostilities. Fi-anco, thinking herself ready, and clamouring for war, had her fields bathed in blood, and the two fair provinces of Alsace and Lorraine wrested from her Empire, 36 One writer snys ; — * "Bazaino's first march was a short one, and impeded by an enormous quantity of baggage ; he gives a furthei* reason for delay in the fact that the French Intendance, or Control Department, had stowed away six millions of cartridges with- out telling him where to find them, and raoi-oover had them- selves forgotten thoir whorcaboiits. This gave the Germans time ; they pushed forward as i'lw as Mars-la- Tour, with cav- alry and guns, and struck the head of the French advance, also cavalry, apparently without guns. The French prepared to charge, but the German cavalry, who masked their guns, wheeled right and left, opened out and left the guns to work their deadly destiny, and thus turn the tide of French retreat." This was no isolated case, and the reasons are not far to seek and are matters of history. Another author writes : — f " Instead of having, as is the case with Prussia, army corps always in an organized state recruited in the Province itself and possessing on the spot their maUriel and complete accessories, the troops of France were dispersed over the whole Country, and the maUriel stored in crowded magazines in the most diverse places, so that in the case of a division of the army being ordered into the field for active service, the artil- lery had to be ordered from one point, the train equipage and ambulances from another, and the soldiers of the reserve from every point of the compass. To this fundamental defect must be added another, of which no military man in France could be ignorant. While so much depended on the intelligence and firmness of individual oflicers to bring order out of this chaos^ the oflicers had no sufficient authority. The most trifling thing, a sauce-pan, a camp-kettle, a havresack, an extra biscuit, required a Ministerial authorization — an express order from the ofiice of French Gontrdle at Paris." The last paragraph describes pretty nearly our system Sm'ely an oflicer entrusted with a high and responsible com- coi an( wM lin| hej th£ Int •Lt.-Col. Strange's Retrospect of the last great war. f Ellhu Rich's '^History of the Franco-aerman War," Vol. 1, page 224. 3-7 impeded by I'thc)' reason or Control ridges with- • had them- he Germans r, with cav- ch advance, eh j)repared their guns, ins to work ch retreat." not far to army corps e Province d complete d over the lagazinesin sion of the ', the artil- aipage and iserve from Jofect must an CO could igence and this chaos 3st trifling tra biscuit, )rdcr from ir system isible com- mand might be allowed to draw a saucepan or a biscuit. He could always be Court-martial led afterwards for any malfeas- ance. To quote another : — * "The Intendance had concentrated all its stores at Rheims, without providing in the least for bmallor magazines on the lines of march of the troops. There was probably so much hesitation in dete) mining what operation was to bo undertaken that the march Tableaux were not communicated to the /nif eno?ance in proper time.' The French cry of " Nous sommes trahis," was incredible at the outset; but in the light thrown upon the subject by documents that have since been found it does not seem so very unaccountable. .. It is not meant that they were deceived by intent, but rather by the circumstance that a proper system of supply had not been thought out. That Napoleon dared not trust his army supplies out of Paris is a theory that may account for much that happened. Dispatches from French Generals, found afterwards in the Tuilleries and published by the Commission des Papiers, are almost incredible. In the Ilistoire de la Revolution de IStO-'^lf we read: — "Pour montrer en queUtat de disordre itait Varviee, il suffit de citer les dipeches incroyables trouvies aux Tuilleries, publi^es par la CGmmission des papiers.'^ "L'entree en Campagne." ^'Giniral de Failly Commandant fime Corps, a Guerre, Paris. BiTciiE, le 18 Juillet, 1870. " Suis a Bitche avec VI bataillons infanterie. Envoyez- nous argent pour faire vivre troupes^ Les billets n^ont point cours. — Point d' argent dans les caisses publiques des environs. — Point d' argent dans les caisses des corps. De Failly." " Point d'argent " is a cry not totally unknown in connec- tion with our own military supplies. page 224. * " The Franco-German War," by Col. A. Borbstaedt and Major F. Dwyer. fJules Claretie. Paris, 1876. ., . I I 88 An Intendant G&tUral writes : — Metz, le 20 Juillet, ISTO. " II n'y a a Metz ni sucre, ni caf6, ni riz, ni eau-de-vie, ni sel, peu de lard et de biscuit. Envoyez d'urgence au mains un million de rations sur Thionville.^' " The General commanding the 4th Corps at Thionville says : — " Le 4me corps n'a encore ni cantines, ni ambulances, ni voitures d'iquipage pour les corps et les Hats-majors^ ; "Jbu^ est completement digamiy There are many dispatches in the same strain. One leader alone was not troubled on this score. GSniral Michel writes : " tSuis arrivi a Belfort ; pas trouv6 ma brigade ; pas trouvi general de division. Que dois-je faire ? Sais pas oil sont mes rigiments." Such correspondence shows a state of fearful confusion as regards the supply of the army ; and in the fatal consequences that followed we can see the great importance of the subject. Doubtless the Germans, so well informed on everything concerning the matter, were not ignorant of this state of French organization, or ralher disorganization, and precipitated mat- ters accordingly. History repeats itself ; what often happened before occurred in this case and will occur again — not to us letushojie? Germany was ready ; France was not, and the latter was attacked and defeated in consequence. So true still, though so little thought of here, is the saying of the wise old Roman — " Si vis pacem, para bellum.'^ illet, 1870. •de-vie, ni sel, ins un million t Thionville ibulances, ni s." One leader hel writes : pas trouvi •w sont mes anfusion as nsequences he subject. Jverything JofPreDch tated mat- i happened ■not to us t, and the ^, ■ » ho saying