by slow freight in time to be transferred to the transport carrying the troops. Department commanders concerned will direct the embarkations and by concert of action arrange the details of the movements; they will report to the Adjutant General of the Army the hours of departures and arrivals and strength of organizations. 4. The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the transportation, the Subsistence Department suitable subsistence and the Medical Department proper medical attendance and supplies. 5. So much of General Orders, No. 142, November 4, 1901, from this office, as directs departing battalions and squadrons to conduct detachments of unassigned recruits equal in number to their authorized strength is modified to direct that such recruits as are available will accompany the troops. BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL MILES: H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant General, Major General, U. S. Army. No. 152. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, November 20, 1901. By direction of the Secretary of War, the following scheme for the instruction, examination, and classification of gunners of the field artillery is published to the Army for the information and guidance of all concerned: EXAMINATION OF GUNNERS. 1. The object of this examination is to ascertain in each battery the qualified gunners by their absolute and relative excellence in comprehending and mastering the prescribed instruction. This examination will take place at the posts where the respective batteries may be serving and will be separate for each battery. The examinations will take place each year at such times as may be designated by the department commander but as soon after the close of the annual target practice as may be practicable. 2. The board of examination in each department shall consist of two field artillery officers selected by the department commander and the commanding officer of the battery concerned, unless in special cases otherwise ordered by the Commanding General of the Army. 3. The examination for gunners will include the following subjects and be conducted as specified in each case: (a) LAYING THE PIECE. Tangent sight (two trials). Two well-defined targets are selected between 1,500 and 2,000 yards distant. The exact portion of the target to be aimed at is clearly pointed out. A tangent sight set at any elevation, except that to be designated, is handed the candidate. The candidate takes the post of the gunner at the end of the trail handspike, the sight in the pouch. The command is given: Elevation (so many) degrees, (so many) minutes; Or range (so many) yards, shell (or shrapnel) scale; At the command "aim" the candidate working at the end of the trail handspike lays the gun roughly on the target. He then takes the sight out of its pouch, sets it at the indicated elevation and deflection, inserts it in the socket, and aims on the target, one cannoneer at the end of the trail handspike assisting. As soon as the gun is aimed the candidate calls "posts" and steps clear. Time is taken from the command "aim" to "posts." The officer examines the sight and notes whether or not it is set correctly in elevation and deflection and whether or not the bubble is in the middle of the spirit level. If the sight is incorrectly set in elevation or deflection no credit is given for that trial. The sight being correctly set the officer examines the aim. If the gun is properly aimed within three minutes of eleva tion and one point of deflection and the time is forty seconds the candidate receives 5 credits for the trial; for every five seconds or fraction thereof beyond forty seconds the candidate will lose 1 of the credits; and for every five seconds or fraction thereof less than forty seconds he will gain 1 credit. More than 8 credits may not be received for any one trial; but credits in excess of 8, gained on one trial, may be carried over to another trial where less than 8 is gained with either form of sight. If the bubble is not in the middle of the spirit level the trial is not thrown out unless when the sight is leveled the error is found to be greater than one point in deflection. The second trial will be at another target with a different elevation and deflection. The elevation and deflection given will always be to some even division of the scale and not to a fraction of one. Telescopic sight (two trials). These two trials will be conducted under conditions exactly similar to the above. In case telescopic sights are not on hand these two additional trials will be had with the tangent sight. Quadrant (one trial). This trial will be conducted similarly to the foregoing with the following modification: The candidate is equipped with both the quadrant and the tangent sight. A stake driven in the ground some distance in front of the piece to indicate the direction. At the command "aim" the candidate puts the tangent sight in the socket and aims roughly for direction. He then sets the quadrant at the indicated elevation and elevates the piece as required. NOTE. The foregoing applies to field batteries equipped with the 3.2-inch rifle. For batteries equipped with the 5-inch rifle or the 7-inch howitzer the average time of laying will be taken as sixty seconds instead of forty, and credits will be figured from that as a basis on the same principles as above described. (b) ADJUSTING FUZES. The test will consist of five trials. The officer gives the command: Fuze cutting (so many) seconds and (so many) sixths. Cut. The candidate opens the aminunition chest, withdraws a projectile, cuts the fuze and calls "Posts." Time is taken from the command "Cut" to "Posts." If the fuze is not correctly punched no credits are given for that trial. If the fuze is punched correctly within fifteen seconds 2 credits are given; if within twelve seconds 3 credits are given; if within ten seconds 4 credits are given. NOTE.-For siege guns the same will apply except that the time is in seconds and fifths and the fuze to be taken from tin box as received from arsenal with tow packing removed. (c) USE OF AUTHORIZED RANGE FINDER. Five trials at ranges from 1,000 yards to 2,500 yards. If the candidate within three minutes of time obtains the range with an error no greater than 10 per cent of the true range he receives a credit of 2 for that trial; if within five minutes a credit of 1. If within three minutes of time he obtains the range within 5 per cent of the true range he receives a credit of 3; if within five minutes a credit of 2. The tape line may be used in measuring the base line if so desired. (d) DRILL OF A GUN DETACHMENT. All embraced in the school of the cannoneer for the nature of piece in use in the battery will be considered within the scope of the examination. For siege batteries this will include the ease of the gun; for mountain batteries packing will be included. The candidate will be given a well-instructed detachment consisting of a gunner, caisson corporal, and 7 cannoneers. A slip of paper will be handed him showing four maneuvers in the school of the cannoneer. He will be required to explain each maneuver in succession and then cause it to be executed. The board will so arrange that the tests allotted the different candidates may be of the same relative difficulty. Suitable questions will be put to the candidate to bring out his knowledge of the material in use in the battery, the nomenclature of the piece and carriage, the character, description, weights, etc., of the projectiles, powder, fuzes, in use. The maximum credit for this test will be 15. Values will be assigned to each of the four maneuvers according to the nature of each. (e) MILITARY BEARING AND EFFICIENCY. To be determined (1) by the general bearing of the candidate during the trials and especially during the drill of the gun detachment, at which all the members of the board will be present; (2) by the estimate furnished by the candidate's captain. Maximum values assigned to each of the foregoing as follows: 4. A qualified gunner will be rated as such for a period of three years, and for such additional time as may be required to provide for his reexamination, unless he has during that time been out of the artillery service for more than three months. 5. A second-class gunner on his own application may be permitted to compete at any annual examination for classifi cation as first-class gunner. 6. Each battery commander will previous to the arrival of the two other members of the board at the post submit to the adjutant a list duly signed of the names of all the men in his battery who may be designated for examination. This list will be given to the senior member of the board. During the examination of each battery its commanding officer will join the board as a member. 7. The board will keep a record of its marks during the examination but these marks will not be published. The record will be forwarded to the department commander, who will announce in orders the names of the successful competitors and the date of the report of the board. Each class will be arranged for separate organizations in alphabetical order. 8. Enlisted men who obtain an average of 85 per cent of the total maximum mark at the examination will be classed as first class gunners, and those who obtain an average of 65 per cent will be classed as second-class gunners. BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL MILES: H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant General, Major General, U. S. Army |