REQUIRED FOR THE ATTACK OF A MODERN FORTRESS. 
99 
in the latter,”* * * § but where it is possible to employ enfiladef fire for 
dismounting a less number may be allowed, the opportunity for this 
however will seldom be presented in modern fortifications and those 
lines open to it will be well traversed. 
Plate I. fig. 8. shews the general outline of a front of the fortress 
selected as type, the batteries of which are, as follows :— 
The Ravelin, A. consists of a casemated battery de reverse a , mounting 
7 guns,J 8 on each flank and 1 on the capital; of tw~o faces b.b. of 2 
guns- each, with a mortar battery between them; of two flanks c.c. of 
5 guns each, and of two low casemated flanking batteries d.d. of 4 
guns each. 
The Caponier b. mounts on each flank 4 guns|| in casemates and 3 in 
battery ouverte a del.§ 
The Curtain Qiftf has two batteries e.e. flanking the caponier, of 4 guns 
each in casemates and 3 in battery ouverte a del ; two flanks f.f. of 3 
guns each and between the flanks space for 6 guns, ouverte d del. 
On each of the faces d.d. of the Body of the place (including the 
salient) there is space for 8 guns. 
In addition to the mortar battery in the Ravelin there will be 
batteries for heavy mortars in the body of the place and for light in the 
re-entering places of arms, &c. 
In the salients of the Covered way there will be blockhouses of tim¬ 
ber or masonry, the front of each protected by a mask of earth. 
We may assume the gums mounted on the works to be of 15 c.m. 
calibre, except in the flanking batteries d.d., f.f. and casemates e.e. 
which may have 12 c.m. calibre and the salients of the encient, which 
may have 21 c.m. or even heavier guns. The total armament of a front 
(without mortars) including all the flanking batteries is therefore, on the 
above supositions, 1 gun of 21 c.m.; 61 of 15 c.m.; 22 of 12 c.m. = 84 
pieces. 
In estimating the requirements of the besieger, as to numbers, to meet 
this armament, it is convenient, as before in ascertaining the descriptions 
and natures, to consider each position independently, in the first 
instance. 
* Prussian Portress and Siege Artillery, fourth part, by Major H. Muller, 
f It is hardly necessary to say that we regard enfilade fire o' ricochet as impossible 
from rifled guns. 
J “ Five pieces at least, seven at most.—It will be necessary to protect by armour 
plates the piece firing on the capital, this piece having to enter into action from the com. 
mencement of the siege, and being open to be counter-battered from far.—If the front is 
cne of great importance a revolving cupola should be established at the salient of the 
ravelin to batter the works of the attack by direct, enfilade and reverse fire, in a field of 
fire of about 260°. This cupola would replace with advantage the armoured piece of the 
salient and casemated battery de reverse .”—Brialmont. • When armoured pieces and 
cupolas are introduced for land defences, as already mentioned, the besieger will be obliged 
to place in battery, by mechanical means, pieces of far greater power than now in use. 
|| “ The alternate casemates are reserved for the lodgement of men, if they were also 
opened, more guns could be mounted.'’—Brialmont. 
§ “ If it was desired to increase the power of the caponier, one might construct, on its 
platform, a casemated battery, a la Haxo.”—Brialmont. 
•fl" The curtain has 4^ m. command over the caponier and 5 m. over the ravelin, and 
therefore its fire can act simultaneously with that of the latter work. 
