A fine example of the use of it for this purpose occurred just before the battle of Pea Ridge, in March, 1862. A rear-guard of six hundred men, under General Sigel, was retreating before a force of four regiments of infantry and cavalry, that followed and attacked it on every side. Sigel disposed his guns in echelons, the one of which nearest the enemy played on his attacking squadrons with grape and shell, which suddenly checked them. Instantly profiting by their temporary hesitation, the echelon limbered up and galloped away to another position, while the next echelon, again checking the enemy by its fire, followed its example. By this means, Sigel, cutting his way through a vastly superior force, succeeded, after a retreat of ten miles, in rejoining the main body with but trifling loss. 9. If driven to the last extremity, the gunners should try, at least, to _save the horses_, and to blow up the caissons they have to abandon. At the battle of La Rothiere, in 1814, where Napoleon, with thirty-two thousand men, was overwhelmed by one hundred thousand Allies, and was obliged to leave fifty guns on the field, he succeeded in bringing off all his gunners and horses. D. AGAINST INFANTRY. 1. It is an important rule that artillery should play on the enemy's _troops_, without attending to his batteries, except in urgent cases. 2. Against a _deployed line_, whether marching by the front or by a flank, case-shot, that is, grape, canister, and spherical case (sometimes called _shrapnel_), are most suitable; as these all scatter, right and left, to a considerable distance. The best effect of canister is within two hundred yards. Beyond three hundred and fifty yards, it should not be used. The best effect of grape is within four hundred yards. Over six hundred yards, it is not very effective. Spherical case is effective at much greater distances, its range being nearly equal to that of solid shot. Against a line of infantry at a greater distance than six hundred yards, spherical case should be used, chiefly, if not exclusively; as being more likely to be effective than ball. 3. But case-shot are _unsuitable against a column_, as they consist of a number of small balls which have not momentum enough to penetrate into it to any depth. When the enemy advances in columns, solid shot should plough through them from head to rear, a cross-fire being obtained upon them when possible. 4. Especially should _round-shot_ be used against a close column rushing to attack us through a defile. Grape and canister might sweep down the leading ranks, but the mass of the column sees not the destructive effect; and being carried forward by the pressure of the ranks behind, continues to rush on till the battery is carried, though with more or less loss.