New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-18

close he would of course, strike him about four fee
SIX inches above the level Of the ground il be turn
out to be 1875 yards off, then he would break hi
shns. THIS results from the course of the bullet.
path until it reaches TIE ground.
The eliminating or highest point Of bullet i.
rather more than half way Of its course. With th,
900 yards sight, the greatest hight Of the bullet will
be abont feet inches when it has proce eded abou
ice yards and its fret Craze of the ground will b,
about $50 yards. Hence, if the rifle be only helt
straight and otherwise in accordance with the regu
lations of musketry some part Of man must b'
struck higher or lower in the whole distance Of 2si
wards provided no be five feet four inches in hight
With tho elevation for 300 yards, the creates
height of the ball is about seven feet from the ground
and its first Craze at about $40 yards. We are
taught that the height of dragon on horseback il
eight feet six inches; let us, therefore, adjust Oul
sight for 300 yards. Calmly suffer your enemy to
approach within the so yards, and you then have q
dragon under the power Of your rifle from thGt
distance until lie reaches the muzzle; again, how
ever, provided you conform strictly with the rules Of
firing,
An officer Of the 3ith Regiment, who was at the
unhappy sepoy business at Cawnpore, stated that
upon ono occasion some Of the eneny's cavalry came
round the flank and took by surprise email party Of
bis men who were diminishing. They Immediately
formed rallying-square;" the horseDien turned tall
and his men delivered yoley, when both dragons
and Lorses fell to the ground ike wall-every man
but one bit the dust. soldier came to the front,
Ieyeled at the fellow, and Knocked him of his horse.
SO much for Judging distance" &c.
With the elevation f,r 300 yards tho bullet is
about feet from the ground when it has proceeded
about 225 yards; thus, until its first Craze of 3o
yards infantry are under the command OF our nile
for las yards. SO much for teaching the soldier the
ory-whle we insist however, upon his conforming
in every way with the rules Of firing peculiar TO the
rifle 10 it's perfection taught at Hythe. Colonel
Mande Of the Sd Regiment states that when lying
wounded in the Redan he was addressed by Ser.
geant rs follows Sir, do you zee that acoundre
bayoneing al Englishmsn :" at the same time bring
ing his ride TO the present" and knocking tue Rus
sian over. lie remained beside Col. Maude for some
time, aud said lie bad dispatched no less than IL
Russians. lie said to the Colonel " am, Sir, sep
araed from my regiment but I hope, if we ever
get on, Of this that you will speak for me, and say
that did good service" They did get ont; he was
SPOKEN of, and be now holds commission. This
proves what can be done with coolness courage, aud
skill Was he better than other men2 Yes, be was
n taught colder. lie said TO Col. Maude, 81 have
been at Hythe, Sir
When great rapidly of fire Ia the object, it may
be desirable to fire without raising the sights. The
soldier is therefore Taught TO aim at 800 and 400
yards with the eight down. This method of dispens-
ing with the elevatng eight is occupying atten-
lion in the British service at the present moment
the difficulty Of managing the sights in the battle.
field being obvious The French use the thumb as a
back sight but thisvery awk ward method is scarcely
compatible with anything like accurate firing, and
believe il is in very small favor with the men and
officers. The practice l saw was wretched--yery
little better than O waste Of ammunition. This
method il confined TO the regiments OF the line, the
Chssseurs, Zouaves, and Turcos using their back
sights on oil occasions The use OF the elevaiipe
sight seems to be al essential point in the rife, but
still it's great inconvenience in the shifting scene Of
battle seem TO show the necessity for such train
ing as would enable the soldier to hit at the average
distances without using il. believe the thing POS
sibe.
The words Of the British regulations IRE most EN-.
phatic as to the attainment Of proficiency in firing.
" To this great object too much care and attention
cannot be devoted. The rifle is placed in the SOLDIER
hands for the destruction of his enemy; his own
safety depends upon hs efficient asc Of it, cannot,
therefore, be too strongly ncucated, that every man
who has no defect in his eyes may be MADE a good
shot aud that no degree Of perfection be may heve
in ,h. otler IN rita of hs drill can uuon
vice, remedy any want Of proficiency in this in fact
his other instructions in marching and vancouver
ing can do no more than place him in the best pos
.iJle situation for using bis weapon with effect.
A soldier rho cannot shoot IS useless. aud an in
eam6raace TO the battalion"