44 Mr. E Jekyll [Feb. 16, 



This work, called the Jirst parallel, is an envelope equi-distant 

 from all the salient angles of the fortress, and it is along this road 

 that all guns, men, and munitions can securely move, sheltered from 

 the view and projectiles of the enemy. Batteries are then formed 

 on the side next the place attacked, and a secure communication, 

 made in like manner, is constructed towards the camp and entrepot 

 of the besiegers. 



The garrison having now discovered the front of their work 

 about to be attacked, do all in their power to add to their defences ; 

 a double line of palisades is placed in the covered way ; traverses are 

 erected to lessen the effect of the enfilade and ricochet fire of the 

 besiegers ; the country on the side attacked is inundated, if such- 

 means exist ; fresh embrasures are opened on the ramparts, and 

 splinter proofs to prevent the ravages of shells are placed over the 

 guns ; safe communications are formed, leading to the outworks ; 

 mine galleries driven under the glacis (if none had been previously 

 prepared,) and every means taken for repelling the advances of the 

 besiegers. The fire from the guns, howitzers, and mortars of the 

 assailants, is of a four-fold character : direct, to batter down such 

 parts of the fortress as are not covered by the outworks ; enfilade, 

 to rake ; ricochet, to bound down the faces of the ramparts, and 

 dismount or otherwise injure the artillery ; and vertical, or that 

 from mortars, to destroy the storehouses, magazines, barracks, or 

 depots, within the walls of the place. 



After some days' fire, the same species of covered road is carried 

 forward from the first parallel, by certain rules of art, to approach 

 the fortress ; this trench proceeds in a zigzag direction, crossing 

 and re-crossing the direct line leading to the salient angle of the 

 fortress, care being taken that its direction is such, that no fire from 

 the enemy can rake or enfilade it. And at a distance of 300 

 yards from the works of the besieged, a new place of arms, or 

 second parallel, is constructed similar to the first, wherefrom the 

 assailants can support the head of their attack. New batteries are 

 here formed, to further enfilade the threatened works, and also to 

 counter- batter such collateral works of the defenders as contribute 

 to the defence of the place, and the fire of which it is necessary to 

 subdue. The assailant again advances by similar zigzags, till 

 within 150 yards of the covered way of the enemy, where fresh 

 lodgments, called the demi-parallels, are effected. 



And here an entirely new feature in the attack presents itself : it 

 being needful to keep down the heavy fire of riflemen, and wall 

 pieces (heavy muskets fired from rests upon the parapets), and 

 also to prevent workmen from repairing the injured defences, 

 pierriers, or stone mortars, are placed in the wings of the aforesaid 

 demi-parallels, which keep up an incessant discharge of large 

 stones, 4-pound iron balls, and grenades, upon the front attacked. 

 Volleys of such missiles are directed upon the shattered parapets, 

 driving the defenders from the walls, and forcing them to fly to 



