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Fossé, 
FORTIFICATION. 
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ig the talus appears so easy or so. advantageous'as 
described, i y if ie has a ow of tees on 
the front, standing seven or eight feet above md. 
Sometimes it sites 
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must be as little as possible, 
Lev close to it. | From. 10 to 16: inches of a 
be enough, and it ought to be lined with fas- 
boards. ‘or gazons. ‘7 7) 
behind the parapet, ina single work, 
be from two feet to two feet six inches broad ; 
but if the work has a curtain resistance, it ought to be 
4 in breadth, to afford a communication. It 
should also be from 4 feet to 4 feet 3 inches lower than 
a 
eo 
to the upper of the counterscarpe ; or if 
re tral yo tiger diecoenrae country, it 
foot, lest the ‘part of the should be too 
mioch weakest? (The to indeed, le of what is 
Fp the slope is to be reduced as much as pos~ 
sible. 
_ The thickness of a parapet depends on the purpose 
for which it is intended, and the edtinnss thane 06 
t against it. If it is only a temporary of 
pon bas edie 
in 
till reinforeements come up, tw 
ness will be sufficient, as it will, in all probabi- 
pre likely | Senaghned Saseans ation 
are ‘to! enemy, or if the 
work is to continue for any i saan! r 
) in field fortification, is 
‘not very deep, but Sap hinerents teitels i 
feet, and always 12 if possible. The talus of the 
fossé may be steeper than that of the ‘as the 
earth of the former possesses its natural adhesion. Of 
course the base of such slopes is ‘small compared to 
. Manner’as ‘to be ‘readily 
499 
of aowork is situated om! ground where ‘it is liable to 
be enfiladed, it must have traverses in the interior. The 
thickness of these traverses'depends on the attack which 
they may ‘have to sustain.’ If this consist of small arms 
only, two feet will’ be sufficient; but they will ‘require 
6 to rt Bd in as noe ers 10 ae to hold out 
against field pieces. ‘The talus must be as steep as ‘pos- 
sible, that So may occupy little room, taidtbe peeled 
the communication they ought to have eae through 
them. In every work, indeed, there should be open- 
ings from 4 to 5 feet, or from 8 to 9, according to the 
sizeof the-work, to keep up a free passage between the 
spo entrances must be 
as steep as possible, ‘they are ‘to be shut up with 
chevaux de-frisés, ’ branches, and other tarreines 
They ought also to” be ‘covered b 
them, 6 feet longer than their width, and from 3 to'9 
feet in thickness. This traverse has a banquette, from 
which 'the soldiers can fire on the enemy, in approach- 
ing it. Before these entrances, it is usual to construct 
a bridge, consisting of boards laid on scaffolds in such a 
removed or destroyed when 
necessary.’ ‘This bridge is about 3 feet wide in small 
works, ‘and 9 to 10 in works whose guns are mounted. 
The gorge of a work is always to be inclosed, at least 
allantois to prevent a surprise. 
If'a work is to be 
a traverse behind | 
ied for any considerable Corps de 
length of time, it should be furnished with a corps de garde. 
garde. In small works this may consist of huts covered 
with branches; but in larger places it should be of 
timber, and have if possible a. shell ‘proof’ covering. 
The exterior parts ofa fortification ‘may be increased 
and strengthened either by active or passive works of 
defence. A covered way, however, is in general of 
little use in field fortification. It is very expensive, it 
adds 3 to 4 feet to the height of the profile, weakens 
the rest of the parapet, requires a deeper ditch, and can 
be defended only by a large garrison, which, however, 
generally retires before the assault is made, and creates 
confusion within the place. When the work is pretty 
. lange, a covered way may be used, and then the crest 
its 
ought to be 4 feet above the horizon ; and 
if it be dug qut behind the glacis, the latter will require 
a banquette. The width of such a covered way i8 nine 
feet. Traverses are seldom used in the re-entering 
angles of the covered way in field works. If they are 
used it is to cover an ‘entrance, and are constructed in 
the same way as places of arms in permanent fortifica- 
tion.’ Such traverses, however, require a great coms 
mand. © The parapet must be at least 11 to 12 feet. A 
simple glacis therefore, is perhaps better, except in very 
large works. A second glacis, without any covered 
way, is of great ‘use in field works. Where it is used, 
the parapet will require only from 8 to 9 feet of com- 
mand, and the obstructions that may be laid in the ene- 
my’s way, are better concealed. ‘Such a glacis is’ also 
- of great advantage where ‘small works, as fleches, are 
-used, and may be successfully employed in producing 
little inundations, particularly if ditches are made in it 
at short intervals that cannot easily be pass It is 
always of the greatest importance, indeed, to have the 
fossé full of water. 
Of the various obstructions used to retard the ene- 
square or circular pits, six feet’in depth; and as much 
id diamneter, with a pole thetr centre: té'prevent their 
being a cover to’ the’ ey The ear dug out is 
heaped up among them, or dispersed around. Trappes 
de loups should always be hid by a glacis, and should 
1 
my, trappes de loups ‘may be mentioned.” These are jmPPes de 
