11. In _silencing a battery_, our fire should be concentrated on one piece at a time, while some of our guns throw spherical case, from a raking position, if possible, on the gunners. 12. Though grape has a much less range than ball, yet _within four hundred yards_, on account of its scattering, its effect is superior to it. The fire of guns double shotted with ball and a stand of grape, is fearfully destructive when used at a short distance to repel a charge. 13. It is artillerymen's point of honor _not to abandon their pieces till the last extremity_. They should always remember that when the enemy is closing on them, the last discharge will be the most destructive of all, and may suffice to repulse the attack and turn the tide of battle. In our attack on Quebec, in our War of Independence, on the near approach of our assaulting column, the British gunners fled from their pieces; but the one who fled last, before leaving, discharged his gun, which was loaded with grape. The discharge killed and wounded several of our men; among them the brave General Montgomery, who was leading the column in person. The effect was decisive. The assailants fell back, panic-struck at the loss of their commander; and our attack failed. 14. To prevent our own captured pieces from being turned on us by the enemy, it is the artillerymen's last duty, when it has become evident that the guns cannot be saved, to _spike_ them. The operation requiring but a few moments, it can rarely be omitted without disgrace. VII.--Its Supports. 1. Artillery must always be protected from the _melee_, in which it is helpless whether against infantry or cavalry; and should therefore have a strong _support_. 2. A portion, at least, of every artillery support, should consist of _sharpshooters_, whose fire will be the most effective in driving off skirmishers sent forward to threaten or attack the guns, or to pick off the gunners. 3. Batteries must be secured _on both flanks_, and their supports will be posted with that view; on one or on both flanks, according to circumstances, and more or less retired. 4. A support should never be directly _in rear_ of the battery, where it would be in danger, not only of receiving the shots aimed at the battery, but also of killing the gunners belonging to it, as has repeatedly happened during the late war. 5. A battery and its support owe each other _mutual protection_. Therefore, when an infantry support, after holding the enemy in check, to enable the battery to limber up and retire, is obliged, in its turn, to retreat, the battery should take such a position as will enable it to cover the retreat by its fire. 6. A battery consisting of any considerable number of pieces may be able, sometimes, to _dispense with a support_.