260

DEFENCE OF FORTRESSES.

secure against escalades, or an attack by coup-de-main; in fine, whether each of theworks be capable of being retrenched, or of being otherwise improved.

6. The Outworks. —After having examined the enclosure, the Governor willinspect all the works comprised under the denomination of outworks, and which aresituated in the ditches of the place, such as ravelins, counterguards, tenailles, &c.:he will study in what degree they aid the defence of the Body of the Place, and thereciprocal defence they give and receive, as well as the peculiar use which may bemade of each in the general defence: he will satisfy himself that their interior iswell under the fire of the Body of the Place, and that the communications betweenthem and it are secure.* His reconnoissance must include every gate, sally-port,and issue, by which he might be enabled to fall with rapidity on the enemy, whetherfor the .purpose of preventing a passage of the ditch, or of dislodging him from anoutwork which he may have gained. 5

7. The Covered-way. —The covered-way will be the object of particular attention :the Governor will examine whether all the branches be directed in such a manner asdistinctly to see the surrounding ground; whether the traverses be in a good state;if the banquettes have the proper dimensions; if there be a sufficient number ofbarriers for sorties, and if they be properly disposed, and sufficiently palisaded.

8. Advanced Works .—The advanced works of a place ought to increase itscapability for defence. The Governor will consider for what purpose they wereconstructed; whether they will perform the part for which they were intended;whether their communications be secure and easy; and above all things, whethertheir interior be properly seen from the Body of the Place, or intermediate works;because in this case they present much greater difficulties to the besiegers in lodgingthemselves within them, and they facilitate those offensive operations of the besieged(: retours offensifs) in which the most important part of the defence of fortresses mayconsist.

9. Detached Works, Forts , and other Dependencies of the Place. —The object ofthese works is in general to see into places where the undulations of the groundwould otherwise give cover to the enemy; to occupy a point which commands thefortress; to protect a dyke or sluice which supports an inundation favourable to thedefence; or to take in reverse the approaches of the besiegers.

10. The Reconnoissance of the Interior of the Place. —He will be equally carefulthat the streets which serve as a direct communication between the Great Square, orplace of general parade (place d’armes), as well as between the military buildingsand establishments, and the streets adjoining to the ramparts, shall neither be shutup nor narrowed, without the plans for that purpose having been previously con-certed in conjunction w r ith the Military Engineers .

11. He will examine with care the site of all military buildings and establish-ments ; the esplanades, and all other grounds connected with the fortification, so asto be able to judge what relation they bear to the Body of the Place in case ofattack, or with the rest of the interior in case of alarm.

He ought also to know the situation and capacity of such public and privatebuildings as might be converted into use, as well as what casemates and stronglyarched cellars or cover there may be, to protect the provisions and to quarter thetroops and the sick.

* Or what temporary means can be applied under the different circumstances of a siege to makethem so.— Translator.

b And study how they are to be best secured in those times, of usage or otherwise, against becom-ing an inlet to the besieger.—J. F. B.