2z6 SERVICE OF ARTILLERY

visions to prevent desertion, lest the enemy be apprized ofthe design.

11. The plan being thus digested, the execution follows :and first, the officer charged with the construction of thefirst battery at a siege will deteimine fro pi observation, whe-ther by direct firing, he should endeavom to dismount theenemy’s artillery, and beat down the defences; by richochetfiring, enfilade the works and harrafs the besieged; or byfiring with red-hot shot set fire to the buildings.

He will, in the second place, reconnoitre the ground, thatthe battery may be erected on the most advantageous spot.

He, will in the third place, ascertain what number ofmen, and what quantity of tools and materials are wantedfor its construction.

Fourthly, he will consider the means of employing everything to the greatest advantage, that the battery may be con-structed in the best manner, and in the shortest space of timepossible.

Fifthly, he will divide the workmen into different parties,directing these to throw up the earth in digging the ditch,in order to form the battery ; those to piquet down the fas-cines : some to ram the earth ; and others to bring the ma-terials from the grand magazine.

Lastly, he will take every precaution to guard against mis-takes in throwing up the works, or cutting the embrazuresduring the night; and to prevent the, several detatchmentsfrom miffing their way, or interrupting each other in trans-porting the ammunition, &c. to the battery. The subalternand non-commiffioned officers will inspect the conduct ofthe workmen, and take care that they do their duty.

12. The circumstances that arise in the execution of an en-terprize frequently induce a necessity of deviating from formersystems, and sometimes even of varying the whole dispositionto the great embarrassment of young officers: they should there-fore be practised in the solution of different problems best cal-culated for exercising their inventions, and obliging them tohave recourse to their own minds for resources in cases of no-velty and difficulty, but which yet require instant determina-tion and execution. Such is the path trod by all military menthat aspire to eminence in their profession; and such is theroad by which officers have arrived at distinction and re-nown.

TI*