1855.] on Siege Operations. 43 



the dimensions of the ordinary gabion. It is employed to protect 

 the sapper engaged at the head of an approach or trench, when 

 advancing such work towards the enemy. 



T\\Q fascine is a faggot of brushwood, eighteen feet in length, 

 and nine inches in diameter ; its use being to line the parapets, 

 and various earthworks constructed during the progress of the siege. 



Bags filled with earth are also prepared, and largely employed 

 during the operations ; the whole are then stored in that part of the 

 camp called the Engineers' Park. The number of these materials 

 is enormous, and the following estimate often has to be exceeded, 

 or even doubled, namely, 80,000 gabions, 100,000 fascines, 120,000 

 sand bags, together with 4000 spades and shovels, and 3000 pick- 

 axes, with other tools in like proportion. 



The enemy having been kept in ignorance of the front of the 

 fortress about to be attacked, and all the necessary arrangements 

 having been made, let us examine the object of the assailant, and 

 the manner in which he may best proceed to effect it. His 

 endeavour is to possess himself of a fortress ; and having seven or 

 eight times as many troops as are shut up in the work, it follows 

 that the larger number will overpower the weaker, if brought to a 

 close combat ; but the battle-field of the foe is so organized as to 

 prevent such collision, surrounded as it is by obstructions which the 

 assailants must overcome : the besieger is, therefore, compelled to 

 use both industrious and scientific means, in making his attack, 

 requiring more or less time in their completion, in proportion to 

 the defences of the place, its strength, and the courage of its 

 protectors. 



The means employed since the invention of artillery, consist in 

 choosing the front to be attacked, checking its fire, and in making 

 a safe road by which the besieger can advance unseen to the foot of 

 the ramparts ; and lastly, in placing in well protected batteries his 

 artillery to subdue the place and effect a breach in the walls of the 

 fortress. 



The first operation of the besieger is, to approach secretly by night 

 with a working party of 1800 men, each carrying a fascine, pick-axe, 

 and shovel, accompanied by an armed and protecting force equal to 

 cope with the garrison ; the former dig a trench 2000 yards in 

 length, parallel to the fortifications attacked, (the direction having 

 been previously marked out by the engineers,) and with the earth 

 excavated from such trench, raise a bank or breastwork on the side 

 nearest to the enemy ; while the armed party, formed in a recumbent 

 posture, remain in readiness to protect the workmen, should the 

 garrison sally forth to attack them. During the night and follow- 

 ing day the besiegers remain in the trench, till sufficient cover is 

 gained to protect from the fire of the fortress all engaged, whether 

 workmen or their appointed guard ; but as each fifty men have a 

 certain task allotted to them, they are relieved by a like number at 

 the expiration of their labour. 



