The following anecdote illustrates the weak points of the flint-lock. During the Chinese war, a company of the 37th Madras Native Infantry had been detached to the left, when, the evening closing, the order was given to rejoin, and the whole were to retire upon Canton, and just as it was being carried into execution, a tremendous storm of wind and rain arose, making the air so dark, that no one could see 20 yards. The detached company retired sounding bugles and beating drums, which were drowned by the tempest, and they could not find the battalion. In a few minutes the enemy got between this company and the retreating force. The muskets would not go off, and several attempts of the enemy to close were with difficulty repulsed with the bayonet. In the meantime, the enemy contrived to fire off their own matchlocks, and some of the sepoys’ muskets of men who had dropped in the retreat, by applying matches to them. The square into which the company was formed, was thus being diminished, while the only return that could be made, was an occasional shot from a solitary musket, which the three officers of the company managed to clean out, under cover of great coats held over the muzzle. A company of Marines was dispatched for the 37th party, armed with percussion muskets, scarcely one of which missed at the first fire, and a few volleys sufficed to clear the way, and both detachments reached the camp in safety, with but little loss. This happened in the early part of 1841. ~Percussion introduced, 1842.~ ~Sighted for 150 yards.~ After a “hang-fire” of about 200 years, a new pattern percussion musket was issued in 1842. Its weight was greater than that of the old flint-lock, being with the bayonet about 11-lbs., 6-oz., bayonet 1-lb., 0-oz., 8-drs., bore ·753, barrel 3-ft. 3-in., length, with bayonet 6 feet, length without 4-ft. 6³⁄₄-in., a block sight for 150 yards, and a percussion lock. For many years prior to 1839 no sight at all was thought necessary for the musket, the bayonet stud being sufficient, but which was totally obscured when fired with fixed bayonets. This arm continued as the approved weapon for our infantry without improvement until 1851, when the Minié rifle was partially introduced. ~Comparison with foreign muskets.~ ~Brown Bess advocated.~