36b SERVICE OP ARTILLERY

bridges should be laid and the heights levelled : and the en-campment so disposed, that the army may move by either flankin the order that may appear the most advantageous for gain-ing any object in view, such as seizing an important post, &c.

From these remarks on field-works it may be inferred,that an officer ought to be complete master of the manner ofattacking and defending this species of fortification, before hecan be competent to decide upon the advantages or disad-vantages of particular situations.

?45- Redans connected by curtains is the most commonfigure for field-fortifications in a campaign country : whenfrom the nature of the ground this figure must be deviatedf;om, it should be a maxim that every part be flanked that theline of defence never exceed 260 yards , and even less whenparticularly vulnerable (242, No. 3).

The figure of small forts erected to secure the flanks, orserve as points of support to the weakest parts, or as advancedposts, must depend on the nature of the ground: a coveredway before the fort, or a smaller fort constructed within thelarger one will give two stages of fire.

There are tw o methods of fortifying houses, villages, andother large buildings : the one is to close and barricado thestreets, doors and lower windows on the side of the enemyand enlarge them on the opposite fide, to give free room forthe troops to enter for the defence : the other is to establishtwo stages of fire, the first from the intrenchment that sur-rounds the village ; the second, from the upper windows ofthe houses. In tracing the intrenchment, an interval of 30paces at least should be left between it and the houses, that thetroops who line the works, may not be incommoded by thedevastation occasioned by the enemy’s shot among the build-ings. When there is a free communication between thevillage and the army, the front and flanks only need be in-trenched ; except it is intended as an advanced post, then thework should be closed.

246. Field fortifications may be classed under three heads(242, No- 4)

The first kind is the most simple, and consists of a parapet4J or 5 feet high and 3^ feet thick at the top without ban-quette : this is thrown up in places which the enemy can-not approach without being obliged to defile ; but never onflat open ground, unless the army be but little inferior innumber to thy enemy.

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