Horse-Guards,

14th July, 1809.

The Commander in Chief considers the following Memorandum of material Importance, and as such has ordered it to be communicated to the Troops.

HARRY CALVERT,

Adjutant-General.

MEMORANDUM.

THE cause of a Piece missing Fire is generally ascribed to the badness of the Flint, the softness of the Hammer, or the weakness of the Main Spring, or Feather Spring; but the real cause will very generally be found to be a want of correctness in fixing the Flint.

This sometimes proceeds from Carelessness, but it is too often owing to ignorance of the true principles which ought to direct the fixing of the Flint.

It is frequently imagined that an uniformity should prevail on this subject, as it does, and ought to do, on many others, respecting the movements and management of Arms: instances are not unfrequent where directions have been given that Flints should be fixed in exact conformity to some approved pattern.

This practice is founded in error, and is productive of more extensive mischief than can well be imagined. In fixing Flints no uniform mode must be attempted; the flat side must be placed either upwards

or

or downwards, according to the size and shape of the Flint, and also according to the proportion which the Cock bears in height to the Hammer, which varies in different Musquets.

This is ascertained by letting the Cock gently down, and observing where the Flint strikes the Hammer, which ought to be at the distance of about one-third from the top of the Hammer.

Most diligent observation ought at the same time to be made whether every part of the edge of the Flint comes in contact with the Hammer, so as to strike out the Fire from the whole surface.

A Flint will often appear to the eye to be carefully and skilfully fixed, and to stand firm and square, yet on trial being made as above directed, it will prove to have been very ill fixed, inasmuch as the surface of the Hammer in some Musquets does not stand square, but stands a little aslant to the Cock.

Each particular Flint requires therefore its own particular mode of being fixed, so as to accommodate itself to the particular proportions and conformation of each particular Lock.

It is perhaps unnecessary to mention, that, whatever the position of the flint should be, it ought to be screwed in firmly; and that the Cock should also be let down, in order to observe whether the Flint passes clear of the Barrel.

Whenever a Piece has been fired, the first opportunity should be embraced of examining whether the

Flint remains good, and fixed as it ought to be, and no time should be lost in correcting whatever may be found amiss.

Instruction

Instructions for the Guidance of such Officers as are appointed to the Superintendence and Charge of the Depôts, which have been established in the United Kingdom, for particular Regiments on Foreign Service.

1-If the Regiment consists of more than one Battalion, a Field Officer is, if possible, to be placed in the command of the Depôt; if it consists of one Battalion only, an intelligent Captain is to be employed on that Duty.

2.-The Depôt is to be established in that part of the Country where it may be presumed the Regiment is most likely to be successful in Recruiting, and at the same time in the Vicinity of the Head Quarters of a Recruiting District.

3.-All Recruits raised at, or sent to, a Regimental Depôt, are to be considered precisely in the same point of view, and settled with in the same manner, as Recruits who join at the Head Quarters of a Battalion.

4. Should the Depôt be commanded by a Captain, a report must be made to the Adjutant-General whenever there are any number of Recruits who require final approval, in order that a Field Officer may be appointed to perform that duty.

5.—It is an essential part of the Duty of the Officer Commanding a Regimental Depôt to take the necessary Steps for completing, with Clothing, Arms, Accoutrements, Great Coats, and all Articles of Regimental Necessaries, such Men as may from time to

time arrive at the Depôt, and to use every possible means towards perfecting them in the knowledge of their Duties as Soldiers, in order that they may be prepared, on the shortest Notice, to join the Regiment.

6.-The Officer who is placed in charge of the Regimental Depôt is required to transmit to the AdjutantGeneral, on the 10th and 25th of each Month, Returns (according to the prescribed Forms) in which all the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, Drummers and Private Men who may be at Home are to be accounted for; and the Commanding Officers of Regiments or Battalions are required to furnish the Officer so employed with a most accurate List of all Officers, Noncommissioned Officers, Drummers and Private Men who are left behind, with every possible information respecting them.

7.-The Officer in charge of the Regimental Depôt. is also transmit to the Adjutant-General on the 25th March, June, September and December, in each year, Returns of such Officers as may have been absent without leave for any period during the preceding Three Months.

8.-It is the Duty of the Officers in Command of Regimental Depôts to transmit to the General Officers Commanding the Districts in which the Depâts are fixed, Duplicates of the Returns made up on the 10th and 25th of each Month: He is also to transmit to the Secretary at War, on the 25th of each Month, a Monthly Return similar to that transmitted to the Adjutant-General.