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of fixing the time by signal or otherwise, once in each twenty-four hours, for thewhole encampment.
The Officers of Engineers must pay particular attention to the different directionsfor carrying on the works, which will be given out by the Commanding Engineer.They will recollect that the main object in a Siege, where the new work is generallycommenced at night, is arrangement; upon that point too great a stress cannot belaid; they must therefore use their utmost exertions to preserve regularity andsystem in all the operations. It is better to delay half an hour, or even an hour, incommencing work, than to begin in confusion; they must call upon the Officers ofthe working parties to enforce their directions, and to encourage the greatestexertions on the part of the workmen.
The Commanding Engineer’s daily order, given at 2 p.m., will make every oneacquainted with the works to be executed during the ensuing twenty-four hours.The Officers must cause their Sappers to see every article they will require preparedin time; that is, tools or stores laid out, and tracing lines, measuring rods, &c., pre-pared, and the Senior Officer of each Brigade will order the arrangement of his party.
They will report particularly in writing to the Commanding Engineer the goodconduct of any of the Sappers and Miners , as well as any instance, if such shouldoccur, of misconduct of any kind, or of want of spirit, exertion, or ability.
The Senior Officer of each Brigade will, on his return from duty, send in to theOffice a written account of the extent of work performed, with remarks on the conductof the working parties and of the corps they were furnished by, as well as a detail ofthe occurrences of his relief; such as, of Sorties, of the nature of the fire from theenemy, and of our own, with their apparent effects; the works the enemy may becarrying on, as far as he can perceive, &c. These Reports, revised by the Director,will be copied into a book or journal, kept at the Royal Engineers’ Office for thatpurpose by the Adjutant.
They will give certificates in writing to the parties for all task-work; for whichpurpose they will find it convenient to go prepared with everything w r ritten on smallslips of paper but the quantity of work, which can be filled in on the spot. For theSap, and such works, the payment will be made on these certificates.
OPENING THE TRENCHES AND FIRST PARALLEL.
It is usual to undertake, on the first night of opening the Trenches , the entire ofthe First Parallel, or protective position, and its approaches. See figs. 2, 3, and 4,Plate I.
We will assume in this case that this Parallel is to be at about 600 yards from thesalient angles of the covert-way, with two or three approaches, as shewn in Plate I.
The 600 yards distance for the First Parallel is from the main works of the place,without regard to any detached works, unless they are large; it is considered inordinary cases the best, because beyond the effect of much injury from grape shot ormusketry, or of any serious sorties from a garrison of moderate strength; and becauseit is about the extreme distance for very steady howitzer practice.
The Parallel is extended in length 50 or 60 yards beyond the prolongation of theextreme faces of the works of the front to be attacked, and turned round at the endsas a protection to each flank, or should be finished by a redoubt or palisading, wherethere is much to apprehend from sorties, if the garrison is strong. See Plate I.
The approaches in zigzags should be directed to a point at least 30 yards outsideof the extreme parapet or covered way of the garrison from whence fire could bedirected on them, in order to avoid effectively not only enfilade but ricochet shot.
In section the parallels are 10 feet wide, including the front banquette, and the