BREECH-LOADERS v. MUZZLE-LOADERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 206, 23 December 1864, Page 3

BREECH-LOADERS v. MUZZLE-LOADERS.

('To the JEditor of the Times.) Sie, —In contests between science and brute force, there cannot for a moment be any hesitation as to the triumph of the former ; for the gods do not grant victory to the heaviest battalions so much as to those who, although numerically inferior, can treble or even quadruple themselves by superior activity and intelligence. For sometime past my fortunes and lot have been cast with Confederate armies, and in the roar and rush of battle I have been particularly interested and observant of every particular regarding their “ equipment,” and the wonderful simplicity which is the prominent feature of their matchless “ organization.” Unarmed as they were at the beginning. Or at the best simply provided with the common “gas pipes” called muskets, they trusted to victory for superior weapons, and in 18 months procured 250,000 stand of rifles, which from the moment of seizure, and as fast as their necessities and limited resources allowed, were instantly converted into breech-loaders.

While England with its vast resources of invention, construction, and experiment, was dozing over the subject of rifled ordnance, the granite walls of Sumpter were smashed by a few (shots from Whitworth and Armstrong guns. When ironclads were only dreamt of, the Merrimac thundering in Hampton-roads, defiantly steaming about through wrecks of shattered frigates, awoke somnescent Admiralty Lords from culpable lethargy to a ludicrously hasty consideration of of the subject, and when steel shot with 15 or 20 ton guns were laughed at in derision by antiquated non-combatant officials at Whitehall, Southern foundries and arsenals were manufacturing them as rapidly as their poverty and limited appliances permitted. The results of their indefatigable industry and restless intelligence have eloquent monuments at Richmond, Petersburg, Charleston, Galveston, and Mobile. After 10 years of opportunity for trial and investigation, the inglorious Danish war has demonstrated to the tardy and lukewarm guardians of our islands the superiority of the breech-loading rifle and Prussian needle gun ; when years ago in the deep dense forests of the great south-west I hare seen both one and the other used to the best advantage in encounters with animals, or with Indians armed with Sharp’s breechloading rifle or carbine.

Lato Wimbledon experiments with the Mont Storm and Henry rifles conclusively demonstrate to our dull officials what has long been confessed in America^—that 100 breech-loading rifles in the hands of hardy or intelligent woodsmen or volunteers would effectually decimate and disorganize, if not, indeed, demoralize the heaviest and best disciplined battalion compelled to march over 1,000 yards of open ground. Actual warfare is the fitting field for obtaining positive results, and the experience of one short hour before a superior force presents so many opportunities for thoroughly testing the superiority of breech-load-ers over every other arm, that I am assured you will accord me space for* the enumeration of a few facts deduced from field experience. 1. At the beginning we were armed with what Southerners call “ gas pipes” —i e., muskets, and at 130 yards were opposed to a superior force armed with Enfields. In 15 minutes every third man in the right wing (400 strong) had dropped, killed or disabled. We then lay upon the ground and had the greatest difficulty in loading, for the posture was unsuitable; and our guns woreso thickly coated with dirt after the fifth round that ramrods frequently;bent when thrusting down the cartridge. Half the muskets being in this filthy state, how much were they worth to us, let me inquire, in such a critical condition ? We seized the rifles and ammunition of the Federal slain and did '.effective service, but these in turn soon become “leaded,” and finding-it impossible to insert a single additional cartridge, nought remained but the admirable sword-bayonet, and with this last argument we settled the dispute at Leesburg as we had previously done at Manassas Ho. 1. Had the muskets or rifles been breech-loaders, firing would have been five times quicker, more lively, and destructive, and instead of hours in conflict’ the contest on our part of the lino would not have lasted more than 30 minutes, nor would it have been material how much the muskets or rifles “dirtied” or “leaded,” for a fresh cartridge inserted at the breech would have instantly cleared every obstruction of that nature, and all danger both to head and arms arising from the use of that abomination called a “ramrod” would have been effectually avoided. ' 2. A reconnaissance is ordered to feel the enemy’s line, and ascertain its strength, and advancing 10,000 strong halts at 1,000 yards before the enemy’s works, which shall be picketed by a single regiment for a half-mile front. The advance opens fire with shot and shell, and moves slowly forward, but the pickets in skirmishing order, yards apart, lying down in the grass or sheltered’ behind trees, are coolly criticizing both shot and shell plunging overhead or harmlessly bursting in the woods. The reconnaissance moves forward in line, carefully picking its way for fear of surprise but when within range is so furiously assailed by a storm of small shot incessantly poured into the line that in 20 minutes it retires with considerable loss, and in the report may possibly observe, “ the outer line of pickets was fully 5,000 strong, and appearances led us to believe that the supports awaiting to be brought into action were superior to ours, and it being our opinion that the whole lino was heavily armed and manned we retired in good order, and would not hazard an engage-

merit.. The results of such deception and the self-multiplying powers of the pickets are incalculable.

3. Lino confronts lino in battle—the cannonade has ceased and infantry at the halt are pouring volley after volley into each other’s faces. One are armed with breech, the other with muzzle-load-ers. What a fine target the latter present! They stand firmly in line it is true, but though of the best and bravest material, are doomed to indiscriminate slaughter from the flashing, crackling, ceaseless vollies of a death-vomiting line of breechloaders. Let the muzzle-loaders reform time after time, and advance if they will in whatever numbers, the weaker line slowly retires, keeping up an intermittent fusillade, and seeks shelter in riflepits or woods, but the advancing line is so frightfully thinned within ten minutes, they cannot come to the charge, for having lost half their numbers (and perhaps organization also, which is still worse) they halt, waver, and retire to reform. Yea ; but under an unearthly shower of grape or shell, and a destructive hailstorm of small shot from a few, quick, determined men. It is not heavy and massive regiments, but it is a heavy and continuous storm of shot that decides battles -, for the days of old, when battalions leisurely advanced within 150 yards before opening fire, are now long past, and missiles begin to pour in, even when the foe appears no more than an almost indiscernible thin, dark line upon the landscape, and it is my opinion that a regiment of active, wiry Rifles (like the 60th), who can unexceptionably manoeuvre at the “ double,” if armed with breech-loaders, would destroy a brigade of guards in 15 minutes; and, if supported properly by light horse artillery, could utterly disorganize the best division in two hours ; for large, heavy masses are incapable of contending successfully with the active, cat-like movements of light-weighted Rifles. It is a delusion to think that large, heavybooted, over-fed masses decide the day. It is your light-heeled, bright-eyed youth, breech-loader in hand, with open collar, and no SOlb.Jknapsack to drag him to the earth, who, with quick and flexible movements, deceives the foe, and pounces upon him suddenly, who dashes against the wings and flanks of the enemy. These are the men who will turn the tide of future battles; and let England, remembering Alma and Inkermann—heeding the example of her Grallic neighbours—take Todleben’s advice, and look to it in time.

4. In actual service it oftentimes happens that many men are crowded into a small space, as in block houses, independent or outlying batteries, picket posts, in covered or uncovered fortifications on board ship, at port-holes, or in the cross trees, and, on account of tho detestable ramrod, cannot, work to advantage, and are often useless, or, at all events, in each other’s way, but with breech-load-ers 20 men could operate, where ten inferiorly armed could not, for it does not necessitate change of position and economizes space—a thing of untold value where it is necessary to concentrate a heavy fire in a small space, and whore every rifle is worth more than gold. Too much cannot bo said in its favour, from the many advantages arising from its economy of space, ‘as the following may illustrate.

5. An attack was expected from a superior force, and while the position to be defended was difficult, it was necessary to have a large party to support one flank, but to be so concealed as to deceive the enemy. “That earthwork on our. right flank must be held,” said the General; “ but I cannor spare a regiment to throw'into it, —nothing under that number, lam afraid, will suffice.” A Major present offered to hold the place with two companies if allowed to choose his men. Permission being granted, 200 breech-loaders were selected from two brigades, and, despite several assaults during the ensuing day, the enemy were driven back with loss, and the work, protecting our lino of communication, fully preserved. “I had a force to the rear ready to support you, Major,” said the General next day ; “ but perceiving that your men maintained a heavy fire, and were fully a match for the assaulting party, I called off the supports, and, using them to advantage elsewhere, handsomely beat back the enemy at all points.”

If after a moment’s reflection those at all acquainted with warfare will agree with me that for all the requirements of general service the breech is infinitely superior to the muzzle-loader, they will also arrive at the same conclusion that for light troops such an arm is absolutely necessary ; for they are continually called upon to advance far to the front, and, being liable to surprise from superior forces, it is their imperative duty to stand fast or retire slowly until supported or ordered to fall back. Nothing could be more useful to scouts, videttes, or distant outposts, and, as far as I could understand, breech-loading troops were ever preferred to all others for such service ; for they are more reliable, and, compared to others, are thrice more reliable, for fewer, are required, and their powers of resistance are self-multiplying. It is impossible for me to recapitulate the many advantages possessed by the breech over the muzzleloader, as seen in actual service, and I have seen no objection whatever to that arm, whether in heating or other wise, except that it requires instead of 60 at least 100 rounds for an ordinary day’s work. I am, &c., AN ENGLISH COMBATANT.