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[Memorandum.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., June 1, 1900.

Progressive scheme of instruction, drill and target practice for siege battery (, Seventh Artillery:

I. June 1 to June 30, inclusive.-Preparatory training—

1. Fire discipline, including (a) Instruction of officers in all their duties and responsibilities. (b) Instruction of noncommissioned officers and gunners; laying, direct, indirect, reverse; fuse cutting, range tables; use of meteorological instruments and tables; simple electrical apparatus and batteries. (c) Instruction of cannoneers; manual of the gun, platform laying, installation of pieces in emplacements; construction of gabions, fascines, mechanical maneuvers. (d) Observation of fire. (1) Ordinary. (2) Exact, including instruction in establishment of base-line and angle-measuring instruments; plotting range finding.

2. Mounted drill.

3. Preliminary instruction small-arm firing regulations (rifle and revolver). 4. Field exercise at least once per week.

II. July 1 to July 31.-Small arms target practice up to and including 300 yards, until completed, when scheme for June will be resumed, excepting (3); signal drill; field exercise once per week.

III. August 1 to September 30.-Elementary target practice; mounted and dismounted drill at guns; signal drills during August; field exercises once per week. IV. October 1 to October 31.-Service practice; mounted and dismounted drill at guns; field exercise once per week.

V. November 1 to November 30.-Mounted and dismounted drill at guns; such combined maneuvers with cavalry and light artillery as are practicable. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

LEROY S. LYON,

First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Orders No. 17.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,
Fort Riley, Kans., June 1, 1900.

Field exercise and drill for June.

A.-LIGHT ARTILLERY.

I. Field exercise.—The following field exercise for light batteries F, Third, and B, Fourth Artillery, will be carried out during the month of June: Thursday, 7: Construction of French gun pit. Battery commanders will select the ground for their batteries in the execution of this exercise, not, however, where drills are regularly conducted. Time of construction to be taken. All of the guns to be covered. Thursday, 14: Practice march. Thursday, 21: English gun pit. Thursday, 28: March of concentration.

Conditions: (1) A force represented by Light Battery B, Fourth Artillery, camped at the bridge crossing the Republican at the end of Washington street, Junction City, on the night of June 27. (2) A force represented by Light Battery F, Third Artillery, camped in town of Ogdensburg night of June 27. Required: Both batteries to park at their gun sheds at 10.30 a. m. Batteries will break park on the morning of June 28 in time to enable them to be at the supposed camp positions by 9.30 a. m. II. Drill.-Friday of each week, battalion drill. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week, elementary target practice of battery drill in compliance with Orders No. 9, Artillery Battalion, April 16, 1900, and Memorandum Orders, March 28, 1900.

B.-SIEGE ARTILLERY.

I. Field exercises.-Construction of sunken 4-gun siege battery substantially as prescribed in English Drill Book, page 27, with such modification as may be found necessary for adaption to 7-inch B. L. howitzer. Copy of drill book can be obtained at this office.

A drawing to scale will be submitted to this office after the completion of the battery.

Timely requisition will be made for such material and implements as may be furnished by the post quartermaster.

On or before June 4 the battery commander will select suitable ground in the immediate vicinity of the artillery post, reporting his selection to this office before commencing work.

Not less than two and a half hours Thursday and Friday morning of each week will be devoted to this work.. One hour horse exercise under command of one officer the morning of these days.

II. Drill.-8.30 to 9.30 a. m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week: A. Mounted battery drill for instruction of drivers and training of horses.

B. Dismounted drill, manual of arms, preliminary instruction small arms and firing regulations (rifle and revolver).

9.30 to 11 a. m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week:

Dismounted drill and instruction at the guns, as prescribed in memorandum June 1, 1900, "Progressive scheme of instruction for siege battery." By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

LEROY S. LYON,

First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum Order No. 7.]

ARTILLERY BATTALION,
Fort Riley, Kans., July 1, 1900.

Field exercises, drills, and target practice for July 1, 1900, under provisions of Memorandum Order, March 28, 1900.

Light artillery, field exercises.—Thursday, July 5, reconnoissance in vicinity of post with view to ascertain practicability of passage of streams by fords, and of ravines by temporary bridges, with report of fords and ravines selected. Thursday, July 12, passage of streams by fords. Thursday, July 19, construction of practicable, temporary bridges across ravines selected and passage of same. Thursday, July 26, loading and unloading of batteries on railroad cars on plan of same on ground. Friday of each week, battalion drill. Target practice or battery drill Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week as herein before prescribed. Siege battery. Small-arm target practice until completed. (See memorandum June 1, 1900.) By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney.

LEROY S. LYON, First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum Order No. 9.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., August 5, 1900.

The battery-service practice prescribed by Order No. 9, April 16, this office, will comprise the execution of the following problems, commencing Tuesday, August 7, 1900, with Problem I, by Light Battery F, Third Artillery. The practice will take place every day until completed, the batteries alternating.

First call, 6.30 a. m.; assembly, 7 a. m.

Problem I.-To change position to repel infantry advancing on another part of the field. Extent of movement about 1 mile at trot, 10 shells to be fired at first target, 20 at second. Time allowance from unlimbering in first position to last shot of whole series, 35 minutes. Ammunition allowance of 30 shells. Range (unknown), about 1,700 yards. Targets, standard 10 by 20.

Problem II.-To select firing position within given area and fire 14 shell at each of three different targets from the same firing position in twenty-one minutes. Ammunition allowance, 42 shell. Ranges (unknown), from 2,000 to 3,000 yards. Targets, standard 10 by 20.

Problem III.-The battery to advance a mile at a trot, halting three times within that distance and firing 10 shell at each halt at a designated target, then to retire at a walk about 1 miles, firing the same number of shell at the same three targets. Ranges, from 1,700 to 3,000 yards. Time allowance, one and one-half hours. Aminunition allowance, 60 shell. Targets, standard 10 by 20.

Problem IV.-To gallop (at the rate of 12 miles per hour) to three positions about 1 mile apart, firing 25 shell from each of the three positions at a corresponding target.

Line of targets approximately parallel to the line of advance of the battery. Time limit for completion of whole series, one and one-half hours. Ammunition allowance, 75 shell. Ranges (unknown), from 1,500 to 3,000 yards.

Problem V.-To advance to a range of about 1,500 yards at a trot and open fire on infantry whoare assumed to be advancing over second zone, supports being 200 yards in the rear. Target B. Time allowance, ten minutes. Ammunition allowance, 3 shell and 20 shrapnel.

Problem VI.-Attack of a company of infantry in column of fours, double rank, facing battery. Target C. Range at least 3,000 yards. Time allowance, ten minutes. Ammunition allowance, 3 shell and 20 shrapnel.

Problem VII.-Attack of line of infantry kneeling. Target E. Range about 1,700 yards. Time allowance, ten minutes. Ammunition allowance, 3 shell and 20 shrapnel.

Problem VIII-Bombardment of a position represented by standard targets. Deliberate fire. Range at least 4,500 yards. Breadth of target, 40 feet; depth, 200 yards. Ammunition allowance, 34 shell.

Remarks.-Method of ranging will be both by range finder and trial shots. Records and reports will be made in compliance with Artillery Memorandum No. 2, Adjutant-General's Office, June 7, 1898.

Range parties under the command of an officer will be detailed from this office. The officer detailed will supervise the location of targets and see that they are in good condition the day preceding the execution of the problem. Order of fire will be by piece, so that each shot recorded by the range party can be referred to the gun firing it by comparing battery and range party records for the day.

The firing will be divided equally between the lieutenants present for duty with the batteries. It must be borne in mind that the adjustment of sights and laying of guns pertain exclusively to the gunners, and while it is the duty of the instructors to assure themselves that the prescribed elevations are given and that the guns are properly loaded and pointed, under no circumstances will officers do more than see that required corrections are made by the gunners.

This scheme of service practice will be subject only to such modifications as may be found necessary or advisable by the commanding officer during its execution. By order of Lieutenant Colonel Rodney:

LEROY S. LYON,

First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., August 6, 1900.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR BATTERY COMMANDERS AND RANGE PARTIES.

I. Detail for range parties.-An officer and 5 men mounted and 1 driver for wagon will be detailed daily (Saturdays excepted) by the battery commander firing, to report to the adjutant on the field immediately after the completion of the firing of the day. This party will repair and locate targets the morning detailed, and also act as range party the morning following.

II. Instructions for range officers.-On the day of the practice the range officer will report with four mounted men and wagon containing target materials, etc., at the targets not later than 7.30 a. m. Two mounted men will be located far out on flanks to signal danger; two will assist range officer marking and recording, and one mounted man will report to the adjutant at his quarters at 7 a. m. A wagon will be in readiness at the quartermaster's corral at 6.30 a. m. daily.

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III. Daily memorandum.—All the shots allowed for a problem will be recorded, both by the battery commander and range officer in the order fired (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) so that any shot on any target can be referred to the gun firing it. The range officer will also record estimated distances " short or over," "height of burst," the number of hits by whole projectiles, and by fragments or bullets on each target, and general condition of targets will be reported after the day's problem is completed. Targets will be numbered from right to left looking from firing position. To assist judgment at targets the range officer will locate poles at points 50-100 yards front and rear of all targets. Targets will not be examined by range officer until the completion of the firing for the day.

All reports will be made on the blanks prescribed by Artillery Memorandum No. 2, 1898, and officers will provide same for themselves until a supply is received at this office.

IV. Position of range party.-The range officer's party will be on a line at right angles to the plane of firing at the targets and at least 500 yards therefrom.

The firing will invariably commence on the right target (looking from firing position) and proceed in order to the left. Range parties will move in accordance with this rule, being always on the right of the target fired at (looking from firing position). V. Signals and general rules.-Signals between battery and range party will not be permitted except as follows:

(a) A large red streamer held aloft by range party will indicate that fire should not commence or should cease. When "downed," that fire can safely commence

or continue.

(b) A large red streamer held aloft at the battery will indicate that firing will not commence or has ceased. When "downed," that fire will commence at once and

continue until again raised.

(c) The danger flag of the battery is to be downed before commencing fire, but no firing is to take place until the signal is answered by the range party's flag.

(d) All firing will commence at right target (looking from firing position) and continue in order to the left target. Under no circumstances must this rule be violated.

NOTE.-A copy of these instructions and of Memorandum Order No. 9, dated August 5, 1900, from this office, will be carried by all officers during practice.

Unless otherwise ordered, batteries wlll await instructions in the vicinity of the reservoir.

Special report: At the end of the service practice, battery commanders will submit to this office a report of the total number of premature bursts and breaking up of projectiles; and also the total number of failures of primers from all causes. A "failure" to be understood to mean the failure to explode primer at first command fire. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

LEROY S. LYON,

First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., August 9, 1900.

Commencing with Problem III, the remaining problems prescribed by Memorandum Order No. 9, this office, will, for purpose of instruction, be equally divided between the lieutenants present for duty with the battery.

In order to carry out the intent of Memorandum Order No. 9, which seems to have been misunderstood, the command of the battery, during the execution of a problem, will be turned over to the lieutenant detailed to execute it. The lieutenant in command will not be assisted or directed in any way by the battery commander. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

LEROY S. LYON,

First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum Order No. 10.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., September 2, 1900.

FIELD EXERCISES FOR SEPTEMBER.

Monday of each week: September 3, road march, at least 12 miles; September 10, road march, at least 15 miles; September 17, making and breaking shelter tent camp; September 24, use of individual mess kit.

Shelter tent camp to be pitched and field ration cooked for dinner.

Batteries will go into camp at some suitable place on the reservation, and return after dinner, in time for retreat roll call.

By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney:

WAR 1900-VOL 1, PT III

LEROY S. LYON, First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant. -21

[Memorandum.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., September 14, 1900.

Problem VIII will be divided in three series of fire of 14, 10, and 10 shell, respectively, at the same range and target, and fired in the following order:

First series: 4 shell for ranging, 10 shell, using tangent sight.
Second series: Same range, 10 shell, using telescopic sight.

Third series: Indirect fire; 10 shell, guns will be run back under cover; target not in view of gunners.

The battery commander will select the method of indirect fire and will detail a different officer (including himself) to take independent control of each series.

The battery commanders will submit to this office without delay copies of daily memorandum record of both range party and battery of all shots fired up to present time on battery service practice.

The completed reports and records of all target practice will be forwarded through the commanding officer, Light Artillery Battalion, as soon as practicable after completion of the season's practice.

By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Rodney.

LEROY S. LYON, First Lieutenant Second Artillery, Adjutant.

[Memorandum No. 13.]

LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTALION,

Fort Riley, Kans., September 18, 1900.

The battalion target practice prescribed by orders No. 9, April 16, 1900, will take place to-day at 3.30 p. m., at the request and in the presence of Lieutenant-General Miles, commanding the United States Army.

Batteries will leave park at 1.45 p. m., in time to rendezvous at a point on the Ogden road, 500 yards beyond Threemile creek, at 2.45 p. m. They will there await further instructions.

Practice will commence promptly at 3.30 p. m.

The practice will be the execution of the following problem:

CONDITIONS.

The batteries are on the flanks of a strong defensive position of narrow front. The enemy, represented in the different phases of an attack, by suitable targets, attempt to take the position by a frontal attack on the entrenched infantry line, on each flank of which the batteries are located.

During the advance, cavalry (mounted) (represented by 25 horse silhouettes) attempt a simultaneous oblique charge on both flanks, about 1,200 yards from the batteries.

GROUND.

The ground over which this exercise will take place is entirely unknown to the battery commanders, and all ranges will be unknown.

ALLOWANCE OF AMMUNITION.

Forty shell and 40 shrapnel for each battery.

TARGETS (FOR EACH BATTERY).

I. Three standard in echelon, to represent massed troops before deployment, at long range-about 3,500 yards. Ammunition, 37 shell; time, fifteen minutes. II. Forty-eight standing silhouettes, to represent second phase of attack, arranged in firing line of sections and supports. Range, about 1,700 yards; ammunition, 3 shell, 13 shrapnel; time, ten minutes.

III. Fifty-seven standing, kneeling, and lying silhouettes, to represent advancing firing line in open order. Range, about 900 yards; ammunition, 13 shrapnel; time, ten minutes.

IV. Twenty-five horse silhouettes, cavalry attack oblique to front on both flanks, about 1,400 yards. Ammunition, 14 shrapnel; time, ten minutes.

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