His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, to whose gracious patronage the Rocket System owes its existence, having been pleased to command the formation of a Rocket Corps, on the 1st of January, 1814, by augmentation to the Regiment of Artillery, as proposed by his Lordship, the Earl of Mulgrave, Master General of the Ordnance; I have thought it my duty to draw up the following details of the System, for the Instruction of the Officers of the Corps, for the information of the General Officers of the British Army, and that of such departments as it is important for the good of the service, to make acquainted with the principles of this new branch of our naval and military means of offence and defence.

I have, indeed, conceived it the more incumbent upon me to prepare such a document for the use of the Rocket Corps, with as much expedition as possible, that nothing might be wanting on my part towards its completion, having been induced to decline the offer graciously made me of commanding it, with rank in the Regiment of Artillery; a decision, in which I trust I have sufficiently proved myself to have been actuated by the most sincere desire of manifesting my attachment to that Regiment; as, however flattering the offer, it was sufficient gratification to me to have brought my labours to a consummation, which enabled me to leave the undivided benefit of this new Corps in their possession: and to have succeeded in putting into their hands a weapon, which it is my greatest pride to have already seen adding to their laurels, in the Plains of Leipsic, and on the Banks of the Adour; a weapon, which has so early given them pledges of future and greater successes, and which I hope the following pages will evince to have already been brought to a state of organization and perfection, at least commensurate with its age. I will hope, also, that the further progress and extension of the powers of the Rocket System will be such as not to discredit the discernment of the enlightened Prince, who first patronized it, or that of his Lordship, the Master General, by whose protection it is now placed on a permanent establishment. It is almost needless to add, that this volume is intended only for the use and instruction of such as it may concern, and not in any way for publication.

WILLIAM CONGREVE.