IN TIME OF WAR. 265

perpendicular to the faces of the works, must be erectedmore to the right or left, which will occasion similarchanges in their figure and situation.

Some artillerists having observed that the batteries S, Testablisti a cross fire, concluded that they were preferable tobatteries G, H, K, the fire from which does not cross ; butto destroy so erroneous an opinion, it is sufficient to recollectthat a cross fire is only advantageous when the point of in-tersection falls on the object to be battered, when beingthus taken in front and flank, the effect is greater. Thelines of direction G A, LA, are precisely of this kind, asthey batter in front, and enfilade at the same time the faceA ; whereas in the cross fire X A, X B, though the linesof direction intersect each other at the point Y, yet theireffect upon the faces A, B, is the fame as if they did notintersect each other, and were drawn from the battery G.

By help of the directions given in this and the first chap-ter, it will be easy in every case to determine the number,situation, direction, and kind of batteries most proper forbattering the works, demolishing the buildings, breakingthrough casemates not constructed with sufficient solidity,and cannonading with red-hot shot; it only remains thento point out the method of construction.

51. Jn regular sieges, batteries are constructed with fas-cines and pickets to give them the requisite solidity.

So soon as the engineers have carried on the approachesto the places where the first batteries are to be erected, thecommanding officer of artillery makes a disposition of -hisofficers: he detaches a captain to each of the most consi-derable batteries as G, H, K, and puts under his directiona competent number of subalterns, non-commissioned offi-cers and gunners; he then accompanies the eldest of thecaptains to the spot where the battery is to be erected, andtraces it out with picketsj leaving an interval of 20 feetbetween every two guns; he does the same at the otherbatteries in succession. The captain of the first traced bat-tery returns to the magazine, where all the artillery menand parties of the line that are to work at the construction ofthe batteries during the night, assemble before sunset. Theadjutant of artillery makes the distribution of pioneers, inproportion to the extent and kind of battery, allotting 14.or 16 men to every 20 feet in length, when the battery isto be with embrasures, and funk ; and 20, or 25 when it isJo be raised, the exact number of men being determined by

the