FOR TIFICA TION. 55 



FORTIFICATION. 



Engineering (Military). — The art of constructing, maintain- 

 ing, and managing fortifications, and all buildings, engines, 

 or machinery necessary in military posts ; it includes in- 

 structions on all points relating to the attack and defence 

 of places. 



Approach'es. — The works thrown up by the besiegers to pro- 

 tect th.eni in their advances toward a fortress. 



Auget'. — The wooden pipe which contains the powder by which 

 a mine is fired. 



Bac'ule. — A kind of portcullis or gate, made like a pitfall, 

 with a counterpoise, and supported by two great stakes. 



Ban'quette. — The elevation of earth behind a parapet, on 

 which the garrison of a fortress may stand on the ap- 

 proach of an enemy, in order to fire upon liim. 



Bar'bacan (1). — A fortification or outer defence to a city or 

 castle, consisting of an elevation of earth about three feet 

 high, along the foot of the rampart. 

 (2.) A fort at the end of a bridge, or at the outlet of a city, 



having a double wall with towers. 

 (3.) An opening in the wall of a fortress through which 

 guns are levelled and fired upon an enemy. 



Barbette'. — A mound of earth thrown up against the interior 

 slope, b}' means of which a piece of artillery can fire over 

 a parapet. 



Barricade'. — A fortification, made in haste, of trees, earth, 

 palisades, wagons, or anything that will obstruct the prog- 

 ress of an enemy or serve for defence against his shot. 



Bas'tion. — A huge mass of earth, usually faced with sods, 

 sometimes with brick or stones, standing out from the 

 angles of a fortified work to protect the wall ; formerly 

 called a bulwark. 



Batardeau'. — A solid piece of masonry, seven or eight feet 

 thick, crossing the whole breadth of the ditch, opposite 

 the flanked angles of the bastions. It retains the water 

 in thut part of the ditch which requires it to be inun- 

 dated. 



Bat'tlement. — A wall raised on a building with openings or 

 cmbra.-ures, or the embrasure itself. 



Berm. — A space of ground left between the rampart and the 



