Instruction for Field Artillery;
complied from Standard Military Authority;
embracing Schools of the Piece, Battery and
Battalion or Evolutions of Batteries; with
an Instructive Appendix for the
Confederate States of America.
PART I
Chapter I
Organization, Material and Service
Artillery and its duties
Artillery troops and their service, pg. 1
Uses and objects of field artillery, pg. 2
Organization and equipment of field batteries, pg. 2
Organization for instruction, pg. 2
Organization for the march, pg. 2
Organization for war, pg. 2
Composition of the Battery of Manoeuvre, pg. 3
Definitions, pg. 4
Elementary movements and their objectives, pg. 4
Method of giving commands, pg. 5
Bugle signals and calls, pg. 5
General principals, pg. 5
Chapter II
Tactical Instruction
School of the Piece
The Cannoneer Dismounted
Position of the cannoneer dismounted, pg. 2
Eyes right - Eyes left, pg. 3
Facings, pg. 4
Marching, pg. 7
To halt, pg. 8
To march backwards, pg. 9
To mark time when marching, pg. 10
To change step, pg. 11
To face when marching, pg. 12
To rest, pg. 17
Parade rest, pg. 18
Chapter III
The Gun Detachment
Formation and telling off the detachment, pg. 19
To form in one rank, pg. 20
Alignments, pg. 21
Direct march in single file, pg. 24
Change of direction in file, pg. 27
Oblique march in file, pg. 28
Direct march in line, pg. 29
To halt the detachment, pg. 30
Wheelings, pg. 31
Wheelings, in circle, pg. 32
Wheelings, to the right or left, pg. 33
The reverse, pg. 34
To move forward, pg. 35
To form the detachment in two ranks, pg. 36
To march by a flank, pg. 37
Marching by a flank to form line, pg. 39
Oblique in line, pg. 40
To march to the rear, pg. 41
To march backwards, pg. 42
To open and close ranks, pg. 43
Execution of the movements at the double quick, pg. 45
Chapter IV
The Platoon, pg. 46
Chapter V
The Section
Formation of and posts of officers, pg. 47
Alignments, pg. 48
To open and close ranks, pg. 49
To break into column to the right or left, pg. 50
To march in column, pg. 51
To halt the column, pg. 53
To change direction in column, pg. 54
To march by a flank when in column, pg. 55
Oblique march in column, pg. 57
Being in column, to form line pg. 58
To form line advancing, pg. 62
To advance in line, pg. 62
Oblique in line, pg. 64
To change direction in line, pg. 65
To march by a flank when in line, pg. 66
To change direction when faced by a flank, pg. 69
Marching by a flank to form column of detachments, pg. 70
To pass from the march in column to a march by a flank, pg. 71
Marching by a flank to form line, pg. 72
To form the line or column faced in the opposite direction, pg. 73
To march to the rear, pg. 74
Posting the detachments with their pieces, pg. 75
Execution of the movements at the double quick, pg. 76
Chapter VI
The Company
Composition of and posts of officers, pg. 77
Exercise of the company, pg. 77
Chapter VII
Manual of the Sabre
To open files, pg. 79
To close files, pg. 111
Chapter VIII
Manual of the Piece
Posts of the cannoneers, piece unlimbered, pg. 115
Loading and firing, pg. 116
Loading by detail, pg. 118
Moving the piece by hand, piece unlimbered, pg. 128
Changing posts, pg. 130
Equipments, pg. 131
Limbering, pg. 132
Posts of cannoneers, piece limbered, pg. 135
To form the detachment, pg. 136
Posts of the detachments at their pieces, pg. 138
Change of posts of detachments, pg. 139
To post the cannoneers at the piece, limbered, pg. 141
Moving the piece by hand, piece limbered, pg. 142
Unlimbering and coming into action, pg. 144
Movements with the prolonge, pg. 147
Service of the gun with diminished numbers, pg. 148
Supply of ammunition when in action, pg. 149
Changing ammunition chests, pg. 150
Changing wheels, pg. 151
Dismounting pieces, pg. 152
Mounting pieces, pg. 153
Carrying pieces, pg. 154
Dismounting carriages, pg. 155
Mounting carriages, pg. 156
Posts of cannoneers, pg. 157
To mount and dismount the cannoneers, pg. 158
Chapter IX
The Cannoneer Mounted
To bridle the horse, pg. 163
To saddle, pg. 164
To lead out, pg. 165
Position before mounting, pg. 166
To mount, pg. 167
Position of the cannoneer mounted, pg. 168
To lengthen the snaffle rein, pg. 169
To shorten the snaffle rein, pg. 170
To cross the reins in one hand, pg. 171
To take the reins in both hands, pg. 172
The use of the reins, pg. 173
The use of the legs, pg. 174
The effect of the legs and reins combined, pg. 175
To march, pg. 176
To halt, pg. 177
To turn to the right or left, pg. 178
To reverse to the right or left, pg. 179
To oblique, pg. 180
To rein back, pg. 181
To dismount, pg. 182
To file off, pg. 183
To unsaddle, pg. 184
To unbridle, pg. 185
Length of the stirrups, pg. 186
Position of the foot in the stirrup, pg. 187
Position of the bridle hand, pg. 188
The principal movements of the bridle hand, pg. 189
To trot; to trot out; to gallop, pg. 190
Chapter X
The Detachment - Horse Artillery
To mount and dismount in two ranks, pg. 192
To form in one rank, pg. 94
Alignments, pg. 195
To form in two ranks, pg. 199
To open and close the ranks, pg. 200
To rein back the detachment, pg. 202
To march the detachment by file, pg. 203
Direct march in file, pg. 205
Change of direction in file, pg. 206
To halt and to move off, pg. 207
Oblique in file, pg. 208
To break into single file, pg. 209
To form in double files, pg. 210
To form the detachment in line, pg. 211
Direct march in line, pg. 214
Wheelings, pg. 215
Oblique in line, pg. 227
Changes of gait, pg. 228
The Platoon
Exercise of Several Detachments - Horse Artillery
Formation of detachments and posts of officers, pg. 230
To mount and dismount, pg. 233
Alignments, pg. 233
To open and close ranks, pg. 233
Oblique in line, pg. 233
Oblique in column, pg. 233
Oblique in file, pg. 233
To march by file, pg. 233
To change direction in file, pg. 233
To halt and move off, pg. 233
Changes of gait, pg. 233
To break into single file, pg. 233
To form double files, pg. 233
To break into column, pg. 234
Change of direction in column, pg. 237
The column marching to face in the opposite direction, pg. 238
Being in column to form in line, pg. 239
To form line advancing, pg. 242
To advance in line, pg. 243
To change direction in line, pg. 244
Marching in line to march in the opposite direction, pg. 245
Marching by a flank to form column by detachments, pg. 246
In column of detachments to march by file, pg. 247
Posting the detachments with the piece, pg. 248
Chapter XII
The Driver
To harness, pg. 249
Leading to the exercise ground, pg. 250
To mount, pg. 251
To dismount, pg. 251
Marching to the front, pg. 251
To halt, pg. 251
To rein back, pg. 251
To file off, pg. 251
To turn to the right or left, pg. 252
The reverse, pg. 253
To oblique, pg. 254
To break into column to the front, pg. 255
To form line, pg. 257
To unharness, pg. 260
Chapter XIII
The Team
Arrangement of the teams, pg. 262
To break into column, pg. 263
To change direction in column, pg. 263
To halt, pg. 263
To advance in line, pg. 263
To march by a flank, pg. 263
Changes of gait, pg. 263
Oblique in column, pg. 264
To form line, pg. 265
To form line advancing, pg. 268
Oblique in line, pg. 269
The reverse, pg. 270
The piece horsed, pg. 271
To enter the park, pg. 272
Hitching the teams, pg. 273
To unpark, pg. 275
To wheel, pg. 276
To oblique, pg. 277
To reverse, pg. 278
The about, pg. 279
To rest, pg. 281
To rein back to the right, pg. 283
To park, pg. 284
To unhitch, pg. 285
To leave the park, pg. 286
Chapter XIV
The Section
Composition of, pg. 286
Posts of officers, pg. 286
Exercise of the section, pg. 286
PART II
Chapter I
School of the Battery
General principles, pg. 287
Measures of the elements composing a battery and of its formations, pg. 288
Formations of the battery, pg. 289
Manning the battery, pg. 292
Chapter II
Movements in Column
To unpark, pg. 293
Formations into line and battery from column of pieces, pg. 294
To halt, pg. 295
Change of gait, pg. 296
To form sections, pg. 297
In column of pieces, to form the caissons on the flank, pg. 298
To march in column, pg. 299
To march by a flank, pg. 300
Oblique march, pg. 301
Passage of carriage in column, pg. 302
About in column, pg. 303
Countermarch in column, pg. 305
To change direction in column, pg. 306
To diminish the front of a column on the march, pg. 307
In column, with the caissons on the flank, to replace them in front or rear, pg. 308
Chapter III
To Pass From the Order in Column to the Order
in Line and the Reverse
To form forward into line, pg. 309
To form line faced to the rear, pg. 310
To form line to the right or left, pg. 311
To form line on the right or left, pg. 312
To break into column to the front, pg. 313
To break into column to the rear, pg. 314
To break into column to the right or left, pg. 315
To break into column from one flank to march towards the other, pg. 316
To break into column to the rear from one flank to march towards the other, pg. 317
To break into column to the front when the battery is marching in line, pg. 318
To form line advancing, pg. 319
To form double column on the center section, pg. 320
To deploy the double column into line to the front, pg. 321
To form the double column into line to the right or left, pg. 323
Chapter IV
Movements in Line
To advance in line, pg. 324
To halt the battery and align it, pg. 325
To change direction in line, pg. 326
To close intervals in line, pg. 328
About, or countermarch with diminished intervals, pg. 329
To resume intervals, pg. 330
Passage of obstacles, pg. 331
Chapter V
Formation in Battery
In line, with pieces in front, to form in battery to the front, pg. 332
In line, to form in battery to the front, by throwing the caissons to the rear, pg. 333
In line, with caissons in front, to form in battery to the front, pg. 334
In line, with pieces in front, to form in battery to the rear, pg. 335
In line, with caissons in front, to form in battery to the rear, pg. 336
In battery, to form in line to the front, pg. 337
In battery, to form in line to the rear, pg. 338
In column, with pieces in front, to form in battery to the front, pg. 339
In column, with caissons in front, to form in battery to the front, pg. 340
In column, with pieces in front, to form in battery to the rear, pg. 341
In column, with caissons in front, to form in battery to the rear, pg. 342
In column, with pieces in front, to form in battery to the right or left, pg. 343
In column, with caissons in front, to form in battery to the right or left, pg. 344
In column, with pieces in front, to form in battery on the right or left, pg. 345
In column, with caissons in front, to form in battery on the right or left, pg. 346
To deploy the double column into battery to the front or rear, pg. 347
To deploy the double column into battery to the right or left, pg. 348
To pass from the order in battery to the order in column, pg. 349
To march by a flank, pg. 350
Chapter VI
Firings
To fire by battery, half battery, section and piece, pg. 351
To cease firing, pg. .351
To move and fire with the prolonge, pg. 352
To fire advancing, pg. .353
To fire retiring, pg. 354
Movements for firing in echelon, pg. 355
Being in echelon, to form line, pg. 356
To fire to the rear, pg. 357
Chapter VII
Changes of Front in Battery
Change of front to fire to the right, left wing forward and the reverse, pg. 358
Change of front to fire to the left, left wing forward and the reverse, pg. 359
Change of front to fire to the left, left wing to the rear and the reverse, pg. 360
Change of front to fire to the right, left wing to the rear and the reverse, pg. 361
To pass a defile in front, pg. 362
To pass a defile in rear, pg. 363
Chapter VIII
Parade for Review and Inspection
Review of a battery, pg. 364
Review of a battery in connection with other troops, pg. 364
To march in review in line or column of half batteries, pg. 364
Officers' salute with the sabre, pg. 365 153
Inspection, pg. 366
PART III
Chapter I
Evolutions of Batteries
General Principles
The different formations and positions of several batteries united, pg. 367
Posts of officers, pg. 367 155
Designation of batteries, pg. 368
The guides of march, pg. 369
Order in column, posts of officers, etc., pg. .371
Order in line and in battery, posts of officers, pg. 372
Commands, method of giving and repeating, pg. 373
Alignments, pg. 374
To march in column, pg. 375
To halt, pg. .376
Changes of gait, pg. 377
To march by a flank, pg. 377
Oblique march, pg. 379
Passage of carriages, pg. 379
To about, pg. 380
The countermarch, pg. 381
Change of direction, pg. 382
General remark, pg. 383
To pass from the order in column by section, to the order by battery (close column), pg. 384
To pass from the order in close column to the order in column by section, pg. 385
Change of the direction of the close column, by a simultaneous movement, pg. 386
To pass from the order in column to the order in line, pg. .387
To form faced to the rear into line, pg. 388
To form to the left (or right), into line, pg. 389
To form on the right (or left), into line, pg. 390
To form to the left (or right) and forward into line, pg. 391
To form to the left (or right) and faced to the rear into line, pg. 392
To form forward into line, on a line passed by the head of column, pg. 393
To form faced to the rear, on a line passed by the head of column, pg. 394
To deploy the close column forward, into line, in advantage of its front, pg. 395
To deploy the close column forward, into line, on one of the batteries which stands fast, pg. 396
To deploy the close column in march without halting it, pg. 397
To deploy the close column faced to the rear, into line, pg. 398
To deploy the close column to the left (or right), into line, pg. 399
To deploy the close column on the left (or right), into line, pg. 400
To pass from the order in line to the order in column, pg. 401
To break by section from one wing to march towards the other, pg. 402
To form close column, faced to the right (or left), pg. 403
To form close column from a halt, without a change of front, pg. .404
To form close column, when in march, without a change of front, pg. 405
To advance in line, pg. .406
To halt, pg. 407
Changes of gait, pg. 407
To march by a flank, pg. 407
To oblique, pg. 407
Passage of carriages, pg. 407
The about, pg. 407
The countermarch, pg. 407
To close intervals, pg. 408
Movements with closed intervals, pg. 409
To resume intervals, pg. 410
Formation and deployment of two parallel columns, pg. 411
Formation and deployment of four parallel columns, pg. 412
Passage of obstacles, pg. 413
Changes of front of the line of battle, pg. 414
Chapter II
Formations in Battery
To pass from the order in line to the order in battery, pg. 415
To form to the rear into battery, pg. 416
In battery, to form forward, into line, pg. 417
In battery, to form faced to the rear, into line, pg. 418
To pass from the order in column, to the order in battery, pg. 419
To form faced to the rear, into battery, pg. 420
To form to the left (or right), into battery, pg. 421
To form on the left (or right), into battery, pg. 422
To form to the left (or right) and forward, into battery, pg. 423
To form to the left (or right) and faced to the rear into battery, pg. 424
To form forward, into battery, on a line which has been passed
by the head of the column, pg. 425
To form faced to the rear, into battery,
on a line passed by the head of column, pg. 426
To deploy the close column forward, into battery, in advance of its front, pg. 427
To deploy the close column faced to the rear, into battery,
in advance of its front, pg. 428
To deploy the close column, pieces in front, forward, into battery, in line with one of the batteries which stands fast, pg. 429
To deploy the close column, caissons in front, faced to the rear, into battery, in line with one of the batteries which stands fast, pg. .430
To deploy the close column to the left (or right), into battery, pg. .431
To deploy the close column on the left (or right), into battery, pg. 432
Deployment of two parallel columns forward, or faced to the rear, into battery, pg. 433
Deployment of four parallel columns forward, or faced to the rear, into battery, pg. 434
To pass from the order in battery, to the order in column, pg. 435
Being in battery, to march by a flank, pg. 436
Chapter III
Execution of the Firing
To commence and to cease firing, pg. 437
To fire advancing, pg. 438
To fire in retreat, pg. 439
To fire to the rear, pg. 440
Chapter IV
Changes of Front in Battery
Change of front on the right wing, to fire to the right,
left wing forward and the reverse, pg. 441
Change of front on the right wing, to fire to the left,
left wing forward and the reverse, pg. 442
Change of front on the right wing, to fire to the right,
left wing to the rear and the reverse, pg. 443
Change of front on the right wing, to fire to the left,
left wing to the rear and the reverse, pg. 444
Changes of front on a central battery, pg. 445
Change of front on the center, to fire to the right,
left wing forward and the reverse, pg. 446
Change of front on the center, to fire to the right,
left wing to the rear and the reverse, pg. 447
To pass a defile in front, pg. 448
To pass a defile in rear, pg. 449
Chapter V
Arrangements for Parades and Reviews
For parades, pg. 450
For reviews, pg. 451
APPENDIX
Pointing and Ranges, pg. 201
Definitions, pg. 201
Theory of pointing, pg. 201
Pendulum hausse, pg. 202
Seat for pendulum hausse, pg. 202
Muzzle sight, pg. 202
Practical hints on pointing, pg. 202
Causes which disturb the true flight of projectiles, pg. 203
Approximate ranges of field guns and howitzers, pg. 204
To determine the height of the breech sight
for different angles of elevation, pg. 219
Management of a Battery
Artillery horses - Description, pg. 220
General rules for stable management, pg. 221
Grooming, pg. 222
Instruction for the preservation of harness, pg. 222
Field Service
Marches, pg. 224
Ascents, pg. 226
Descents, pg. 226
Crossing fords, pg. 227
Passage of military bridges, pg. 227
Reversing a battery on a narrow road, pg. 228
In action or preparing for action, pg. 228
Replacing killed or disabled horses, pg. 230
Spiking and unspiking cannon, pg. 230
Righting carriages that have been overturned, pg. 230
Camp of artillery, pg. 231
Commencing an action, pg. 232
Camp of Artillery
The artillery is encamped near the troops to which it is attached, so as to be protected from attack and to contribute to the defence of the camp. Sentinels for the park are furnished by the artillery, and, when necessary, by the other troops.
Disposition of Pieces, etc.
First Mode
In this mode the pieces are parked with diminished intervals; and the tents and horses are placed upon the flanks in lines parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front, so as to give the encampment a front of the same extent as the battery in line. The horses of each half battery are picketed together upon their appropriate flank. The team of the flank piece is placed at the end of the picket rope in front and that of its caisson next. Then come the teams of the next piece and caisson and so on in the same order. The horses of the chiefs of pieces are with their appropriate teams. The teams of the other carriages are afterwards picketed in the same order with reference to their positions in park; and finally the horses of the officers near the end of the rope.
When two or more batteries are encamped together, the interval between the camps is equal to that between two batteries in line; and the captain's tent is between those of his lieutenants.
In horse artillery, the front of the encampment would be 97 yards and the interval between the pieces 7 yards. The horses of each detachment would be picketed after the teams of its caissons.
Second Mode
In this mode the pieces are parked with full intervals and the horses and tents are placed in parallel lines in rear. When a single line of rope is not sufficient for the horses, a second is placed 4 yards in rear of the first and the horses made to face each other. The teams of the pieces and caissons are placed in the order of their pieces along the center of the first line and those of the other carriages are placed upon their flanks opposite the half batteries to which they belong. If necessary a part of them are placed in rear of the second line. The horses of the officers are at the extremities of the line.
In horse artillery, in which the second line is always necessary, the horses of the detachments are picketed together in their proper order along the center of that line; and the officers' horses at the extremities of the same.
In this mode of encampment the intervals between two adjoining batteries and the position of the captain's tent are subject to the same rules as in the other.
Instead of placing the harness in lines it may be placed upon the carriages and covered by tarpaulins when it is possible to do so. The saddles and bridles of the riding horses may also be covered by placing them in the tents with the men.
The number of lines upon which a battery is parked varies according to the number of spare carriages attached. The battery of manoeuvre, which is composed of the pieces and their appropriate caissons, occupying the two front lines.
Commencing an Action
Before the commencement of an action a battery should be placed as much as possible under cover, by taking advantages of banks, hollow ways, buildings, woods and etc. It is not advisable to move a battery at once into position on the field; but if unavoidable, it should be masked as much as possible until ordered to open fire.
A battery should be masked, if possible, by covering it with cavalry in preference to infantry, as the former does it more effectually and is sooner moved out of the way.
Batteries should be placed in relation to the troops with which they are acting, upon the flank of a line, but at such a distance as not to impede its movements and at the same time to be unfettered in their own; the artillery may thus represent the faces of a bastion and the line of troops the curtain.
The front of a line of troops is the worst possible position for a field battery, while a position in rear is nearly as bad; the former obstructing the movements of the troops, the latter liable to seriously injure, or at least disquiet them.
In supporting an attack, the battery should be carefully kept clear of the intended march of our own troops and such points occupied as may afford the greatest annoyance to the enemy.
Batteries should generally be disposed with regard to the enemy's troops, so as to secure a cross fire on his position and on all the ground over which he moves to the attack, endeavoring to take him at all times in the direction of his greatest dimensions; that is, obliquely, or in flank, when in line and in front when formed in columns. Moderate heights, commanding as much as possible the surrounding country, should always be taken advantage of, but not such as may prevent operations in advance if required.
When, from particular circumstances, the front of the army is too extended and unavoidably divided into two lines, it may become necessary to place one or more batteries in the center, if those on the flanks are unable to sweep the whole front; but great care must be taken not to impede the advance or retreat of the troops when required.
The fire of the field batteries should not be carried on at the same uniform rate; the destruction of the enemy being the object, it follows that at distant ranges a greater degree of care is required in pointing the guns; the fire is slow and steady and increasing in rapidity as the enemy advances, without, however, impairing its precision.
The fire of field batteries should never be carried on in salvoes, but in a regular manner, well sustained and with distinct intervals between every round, commencing slowly and increasing in rapidity as the range diminishes.
The effects of the fire will be in proportion to the number of guns brought together and therefore, in order to strike a decisive blow, this should at once be done.
Two solid shot, or case shot, or three of canister, can be fired from a field piece in one minute; the latter being fired at short distances and not requiring such care in aiming.
Two is the smallest number of guns that may with safety be employed in face of an enemy.
Only under peculiar circumstances is the practice of employing field batteries against those of the enemy recommended; as, for instance, when his troops are well covered and his guns exposed, or their fire very destructive. Their fire should be directed principally against columns of attack and masses, or upon positions which are intended to be carried.
A battery can come into action in the field and fire one round in 25 seconds, timing from the order action front to the discharge of one piece.
Should cavalry be advancing to attack infantry and first observed at the distance of a mile, passing over the first half mile at a trot, the next quarter of a mile at the manoeuvering gallop and the remaining distance at an increased gallop, terminating with the charge - occupying altogether about six minutes - during the last 1500 yards of their advance, a battery might fire eleven rounds per piece.
A battery can fire thirty six rounds against infantry in 16 1/4 minutes, supposing them to pass over 1500 yards.
Should the enemy attempt to force the passage of a river, the best position for the artillery to oppose it is wherever the best cross fire can be obtained in order to harass him as much as possible and if he has succeeded in passing over any portion of the troops, it should be directed against their formation.
When the enemy is making the passage of a river in retreat, the guns should be posted in such a position as to bear upon the batteries that cover the retreat and also upon his bridges.
The bridge being generally laid in a reentering angle, batteries should be posted on each side of the bridge and far enough from it to secure a cross fire on the opposite flank.
The indiscriminate expenditure of ammunition should, upon no account, be permitted in the field during action, particularly at the commencement, as the want of it at the close may decide the fate of the day. It should be sparingly used in skirmishing and minor affairs, especially when at a distance from supplies, or in anticipation of a general action.
The reserve should be employed when a particular point of the line requires additional support, a favorable position is to be seized, an impression has been made on the line by the enemy, a forward or retrograde movement is in contemplation, or when a determined attack is to be made on him. Under such circumstances the reserve should come up and take part in the action and it is of the utmost importance that this should be done as expeditiously as possible.
Previous to the engagement, the reserve should be placed in rear with the second line, out of the range of shot and as little exposed as circumstances will admit, but always in such a position as to have ready access to the front and rear.
Never, until the very last extremity, should guns be abandoned before an enemy. An artilleryman must never forget that his gun is his proper arm; that here lies his strength; that here is his post of honor and duty; also, that the last discharges are always the most destructive and may possibly insure the safety of the whole army, or turn the tide of victory in their favor.
The position of cavalry, when placed in support of a battery, is on its flank and as much concealed as possible.
When infantry are formed in squares to resist the charge of cavalry, the guns should be placed outside at the angles of the squares, the limbers, horses and etc., on the inside. Should the detachments be driven from their guns, they will retire into the square after discharging their pieces and taking with them the sponges and other equipments; the moment the enemy has retired, they recommence the fire. Supposing the infantry formed in echelon of regimental squares and that the time, or small extent of the squares, would not admit of the limbers, etc., being placed inside, then the wagons and limbers should be brought up with their broadsides to the front, so as to occupy, if possible, the space between the guns, leaving no intervals for the cavalry to cut through; the prolonge or drag ropes, might also offer an effectual momentary impediment to them if properly stretched and secured.