37° SERVICE OF ARTILLERY

flat piece of ground, ready to charge the enemy, theinstant they force the intrenchment.

3. In the third kind of intrenchment, the dispositionof the troops depends upon the mode of attack: whenthe enemy makes regular approaches, the fame regula-tions are to be adopted as in the defence of fortrefles. Ifthe enemy attempt to carry the work by assault, thetroops should be drawn up 3 or 4 deep on the banquetteto throw in a very heavy fire, in order to make him re-pent of his temerity.

248. The disposition of artillery in the two first species offield fortifications depends on the nature of the ground, andthe order in which the enemy approaches. The generalrule is,

1. To post the artillery at the parts where the mostserious attack is apprehended, leaving to the infantry thedefence of the other parts.

2. If the enemy advance in column, guns are placedon every point that can enfilade it; and if in line, case-shot is fired from all the guns that bear directly on hisfront: some others are brought to bear obliquely withround shot. An incessant firing is kept up, till he isobliged to retire out of gun-lhot to rally : then thefiring is suspended ; and every thing prepared for givinghim a warm reception when he returns to the attack.

3. When the ground is so favourable to the enemy,that he can by manceuvreing alter his disposition at plea-sure and keep the defendants in doubt which part he in-tends to attack; some guns are kept limbered and loaded,that they may be instantly drawn to the point of thegreatest clanger.

249. In attacking an intrenched camp with a profile ofthe first or second kind, the flanks should be first attempted ;but if their profile is, as it should be, of the third kind, thetroops .must advance within yco or 800 paces of the frontof the intrenchment in the parallel order, and then make theattack in the oblique or double oblique order, taking care notto present the whole front to the fire ot the intrenchment,unless the enemy weaken some part not attacked in order toreinforce those against which the attack seems directed.

When any defect in the works, or the interior of the camp,that embarrasses the troops in their manœuvres is perceptible,the weight of the attack should be directed against that part;

otherwise