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MANUAL OF OUTPOST DUTIES. 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
^ n..- Ill, 
 
 OF 
 
 OUTPOST DUTIES, 
 
 WITH 
 
 f«^tnwtl0«^ Ut %t ^tlmu 
 
 OF 
 
 DETACHED HOUSES, VILLAGES, 
 
 BRIDGES, &c. 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 USE OF VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 BY 
 
 MAJOR GEORGE T. DENISON, Jr., 
 
 COMMANDING 1ST YOEK CAVA.LRT. 
 
 "Reading and discourse are requisite to make a soldier perfect in the art 
 military, how great soover his practical Icnowiedge may be. '—Monk, JJuke 
 of Albermarle. 
 
 TORONTO : 
 ROLLO & ADAM. 
 
 18GG. 
 
 i 
 

 /T / ^ J?- <:- 
 
 JJ 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 i 
 
 The first duty of a Volunteer, and especially of 
 a volunteer officer, is to make himself thoroughly 
 acquainted with the elementary drill of tiiat branch 
 of the service to which he belongs. This drill is 
 fully laid down in the " Cavalry Regulations," 
 '• The Field Exercise and Evolutions of Infantry," 
 and other works published under the direction of 
 the '• Horse Guards." 
 
 As a volunteer officer I soon discovered that the 
 drill laid down in these works was, mere elemen- 
 tary drill, and that little or no instruction was con- 
 tained in them, as to how it was to be employed 
 in active service. I found that to improve myself 
 in the knowledge of my duties, it was necessary 
 to read the scientific military works which treat 
 of the various uses of armies, and parts of armies 
 in active operations. These works I found very 
 expensive, and very difficult to obtain in this 
 country. I have almost invariably been obliged 
 to import them specially for my own use. 
 
 Knowing, therefore, the difficulty and expense 
 of getting books of this nature, I thought that a 
 
6 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 little manual of outpost duty, with suggestions on 
 the defence of houses and villages, compiled froi.* 
 the best English and French authorities, and pub- 
 lished at a cheap rate, would be a valuable book 
 for those members of the Volunteer Force who 
 might wish to learn a little more than the mere 
 routine drill ; and consequently, I have written 
 the following pages for their use. 
 
 I do not claim any originality in the views I 
 
 express in this manual. I have seen no service, 
 
 and cannot therefore give any opinions based on 
 
 personal experience. I have merely compiled the 
 
 substance of what I have read in the following 
 works, viz. : — " Short's Vade Mecum, or Manual 
 
 of Outpost Duties ; " " Lord FitzClarence's Man- 
 ual of Outpost Duties ; " " Jervis' Manual of Field 
 Operations ; " General Jebb's Attack and Defence 
 of Outposts ; " " Nolan's Tactics of Cavalry ; " 
 " Beamish's Use and Application of Cavalry in 
 War ; " " Brack's Avant-Postes de Cavalerie 
 Legere ; " " De La Tactique Des Trois Armes, 
 par C. de Decker ; " and the " Cours D'Art et 
 D'Histoire Militaires ; " by Humbert. 
 
 This work is not one applicable only to Cavalry, 
 It is mainly intended for the use of the infantry 
 
 ) 
 
 f 
 
on 
 
 ib- 
 )ok 
 iho 
 lere 
 tten 
 
 w^s I 
 
 nee, 
 
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 ithe 
 
 wing 
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 Man- 
 Field 
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 PREFACE. 7 
 
 Volunteers, the duties of sentries, being on that 
 account treated at some length. The general 
 principles, however, are suitable to both branches 
 of the service. 
 
 The duties I have discussed in the follo\ ng 
 pages are the most important that soldiers ever 
 have to perform, and if this Manual should be of 
 any use to my comrades in the Volunteer Force, 
 and if it should serve in any degree to increase 
 the knowledge of an important duty among a 
 Force in which I have taken the deepest interest 
 for the last eleven years, I shall feel amply repaid 
 for the trouble I have taken in compiling it for 
 them. 
 
 GEORGE T. DENISON. Juw. 
 Toronto, 14th March, 1866. 
 
 Ivalry. 
 fantry 
 
V 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART 1.— Outpost Duty. 
 
 Chaptee I. 
 
 Paob 
 Definition 11 
 
 Chapter II. 
 Formation of chain of Outposts 15 
 
 Chapter III. 
 Posting Videttes and Sentries, and their Duties 22 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 Patrols and their Duties 28 
 
 Chapter V. 
 Duties of Officers on Outpost Duty 30 
 
 Chapter VI. 
 
 Relieving Outposts, <fec 33 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 Duties of Picquets 34 
 
 PART II.— De/ence of Outposts. 
 
 Chapter I. 
 General Principles of Defensive Works 37 
 
 Chapter II. 
 General Plan of Temporary Works 39 
 
 Chapter III. 
 Details of Execution 41 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 Obstructions 49 
 
 Chapter V. 
 Defence of Buildings .. 52 
 
 Chapter VI. 
 
 Defence of Villages 57 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 -Defence of Bridges 60 
 
y 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
PART I. 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Definition, 
 
 The many essential duties of a soldier which 
 require him to leave his ranks — the cooking of 
 rations, the necessity of sleep, the impossibility of 
 men working or being under arms for any length- 
 ened period, renders it physically impossible for an 
 army to be at all moments, both by day and night, 
 in constant readiness to oppose the attack of a 
 vigilant enemy. 
 
 It is therefore necessary that a portion of an 
 army should be always under arms, and in a posi- 
 tion to prevent the surprise of the ; ^iiainder, and so 
 to impede the attack of an enemy as to enable pre- 
 parations to be made by the whole army, to resist 
 the assaults that might be made upon it. 
 
 This object is accomplished by detaching to the 
 front flanks, and in some cases to the rear, a chain 
 of guards and posts, who continually watch the 
 enemy's movements, secure the position from sur- 
 prise, and throw every impediment in the way of 
 a hostile attack. 
 
 These guards are called outposts, and the whole 
 system the chain of outposts. Necessity obliges 
 
12 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 h 
 
 this chain of outposts in the presence of an enemy 
 to be constantly in a state preparation ; these duties 
 are the most fatiguing and trying that a soldier is 
 called upon to perform, and as detachments of this 
 kind tend to weaken the main body, the chain can 
 never be of sufficient strength to alone answer the 
 end required. 
 
 It is customary, therefore, to preserve a portion 
 of the main army in camp in a stricter state of 
 readiness than the rest, so that in case an attack is 
 made upon the outposts they may promptly support 
 them — these bodies are called inlying pickets. 
 
 As it would be impossible to preserve a chain of 
 sentries or posts, so numerous as not to be liable 
 to be forced or surprised, especially at night or in 
 foggy weather, a system has been adopted of send- 
 ing small bodies along the line from post to post, 
 as near to the enemy as possible to supply the defi- 
 ciency of sentries and to keep alive t^at vigilance 
 of the men on duty which is so essential to the 
 security of the army. 
 
 The chain of outposts consists of main guards, 
 outlying pickets and sentries. The main guards 
 occupy all the principal approaches to the camp 
 and should be of sufficient strength to resist the 
 first shock of an attack ; these main guards detach 
 to their front and flanks smaller parties called 
 pickets, who cover all the approaches to the main 
 guards, and at the same time preserve the commu- 
 nication with the f o ts on their right and left. 
 These pickets detach sentries or videttes in front 
 of their position communicating with the sentries 
 of the contiguous pickets on the right and left, so 
 that the sentries form one continuous chain. 
 
 In addition to this the pickets detach small 
 
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OUTPOSTS. 
 
 13 
 
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 parties which march out to the front of the sentries, 
 and taking a circle beyond the stationary posts as 
 near to the enemy as possible, return by the other 
 flank to the picket. These parties which are call- 
 ed patrols are sent out in order to obtain the earliest 
 information of the enemy's movements, to dir^cover 
 any offensive dispositions in his line, and to keep 
 alive a vigilance and activity amone the sentries, 
 without which their services would be of no avail. 
 
 It is also the duty of these patrols and advanced 
 posts to get the earliest intimation of any change 
 of the advanced posts of the enemy's line, of any 
 movements in his camp, and to send in specific re- 
 ports thereof; to resist attacks upon single posts, 
 and to oppose general attacks upon the whole line 
 so as to enable the main body to form itself in a 
 position for action. 
 
 It is desirable that the chain of outposts should 
 be at an equal distance from the line ; and that if 
 there are any points where an attack is to be appre- 
 hended, the outposts should there be proportion- 
 ately strengthened. 
 
 It is necessary, sometimes — in order to have all 
 the videttes or sentries in constant communication 
 with the picket^ from which they are detached 
 to send forward smaller parties under command of 
 non-commissioned officers to positions whence 
 they can have the whole 1 ne of videttes or sentries 
 in sight. 1 his is only done in covered or broken 
 ground where the picket cannot see them. The 
 smaller parties are called intermediate post<. 
 
 The princip'es which regulate the distances in 
 the disposition of a chain of posts depends so 
 entirely upon the nature of the ground and of ix 
 circumstances, that no fixed rules can be laid down. 
 
14 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 i 
 
 The following general principles ought to be ob- 
 served however : — 
 
 1st. That the less the distance of the chain of 
 posts from the main body, the greater must be the 
 preparature and vigilance of the camp. 
 
 2nd. That the strength of the chain must be in 
 proportion to its distance from the main body. 
 
 3rd. That the strength of the posts must be in 
 proportion to the natural or artificial capabilities of 
 the ground for defence. 
 
 5th. No post ought to consist of less than three 
 reliefs, exclusive of patrols. Reconnoitring parties 
 consist of three ti> six men. The French posts 
 always have four reliefs. 
 
 6th. Cavalry posts may be thrown much in ad- 
 vance of infantry when the country is adapted to 
 this arm, as their celerity prevents their being 
 easily cut off, and they can report to the rear much 
 quicker. 
 
 7th. In covered broken ground outposts should 
 not be far in advance of the camp. 
 
 8th. It is desirable to attach a few cavalry to 
 the important posts for the purpose of reporting 
 quickly to the rear. 
 
 9th. The less formidable the outposts the great- 
 er the necessity of vigilance in the main body. 
 
 10th. Above all it is absolutely necessary that 
 the sound of a musket shot may be heard from 
 post to post throughout the whole line. It is also 
 to be considered that many pickets, though weak, 
 give more security to the main guards than a few 
 strong ones. 
 
 Officers and men engaged on outpost duty must 
 always bear in mind that the whole safety of the 
 army, the success of all the operations undertaken 
 
 th 
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OUTPOSTS. 
 
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 by it, depend to a great extent upon their vigilance 
 and activity : they should never forget that they are 
 placed on that duty to form an impenetrable cur- 
 tain behind which the army, without fear of dis- 
 covery by the enemy, may execute all its move- 
 ments, whilst, on the other hand, they should 
 endeavour to find out every movement of the 
 enemy. 
 
 If the army itself is in a very strong position, 
 easily to be defended, it is not necessary to push 
 the advance posts to such a distance as is other- 
 wise desirable. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Formation of Chain of Outposts, 
 
 On the arrival of the detachments, told off for 
 the formation of the chain of outposts, upon the 
 new ground where they are to be placed, they 
 push forward quickly, drive in any of the enemy's 
 parties and spreading out upon the roads, place 
 strong detachments on every approach to the camp. 
 These detachments are the main guards: these then 
 immediately throw out on their front and flanks, 
 smaller parties which form the picquets or ow/-pic- 
 quets. These outpicquets then place their sentries 
 in front and to tb^ flanks, and at once open up 
 communication with the picquets on either flank. 
 
 The officers in command of picquets then send 
 out patrols in every direction beyond the line of 
 sentries, to reconnoitre the ground to see if possi- 
 ble the position of the enemies posts, to make sure 
 
i 
 
 16 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 that the sentries are all properly placed and that 
 the front is clear. It is to be particularly observed 
 that uniil the return of these patrols, the men ol 
 the picquets are on no acount to leave the ranks 
 for a moment, or in the case of cavalry to dis- 
 mount. Until the advanced posts are placed, the 
 army should remain under arms. As soon as 
 this is done the field officer's att^z^ntion should be 
 directed to the occupation of all points of ground 
 capable of defence, which, at th.^ same time, com- 
 mand the approaches of the position. When the 
 picquets and main guards are finally posted, the 
 officer should then use every effort to place his 
 posts in a state of defence, by all the natural and 
 artificial means in his pow^er ; defensive prepara- 
 tions of this nature protect the picquets, impede 
 the march of the enemy, prevent surprise, inflict 
 greater loss on the opposing forces in their efforts 
 to carry them, and give the main army more time 
 to prepare. The best means of hurriedly defending 
 posts of this nature will be treated more at large 
 in the latter part of this work. 
 
 The field officer should also see that the com- 
 munication between the several picquets and main 
 guards, and between picquets and their advances, 
 is carefully attended to, both as regards patrolling 
 and intermediate posts. 
 
 In order to support the main guards in case of 
 an attack in force, it is necessary, as I have before 
 stated, to have a certain portion of the army in 
 cairp, in a state of stricter preparation than the 
 rest, so as to be able to march at once to the sup- 
 port of the threatened points ; these are called in- 
 lying picquets. Specific reserves are also told off 
 and ready in addition to the inlying picquets ; 
 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 17 
 
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 luets ; 
 
 they move to the support of their main guards by 
 the nearest route on the first alarm. 
 
 Officers in command of outposts should be care- 
 ful in posting the main guards not to push them 
 across bridges, causeways, or through defiles, 
 except when the main body is in position in close 
 proximity to the defiles, and the advanced posts 
 are not protected by artillery. 
 
 A picquet ought never to be posted within 
 musket shot of covered ground, as opposite to the 
 edge of a wood, or in dells or defiles of any kind, 
 or in a position where an enemy could have any 
 opportunity of gaining its flank unperceived. 
 
 In tbe day time, and in a cleav open country, 
 sentries need not be placed so close together or so 
 close to the picquets as in covered broken ground 
 at night or in close foggy weather. 
 
 At night or in foggy weather it is desirable, if 
 possible, to move the position of the picquets and 
 sentries, to draw them in closer to the main body 
 and closer to each other, as this is apt to baffle 
 the enemy's observation of the position of the 
 posts during the day. 
 
 Although this is a good general rule in some 
 cases it cannot be followed as in case of picquets 
 placed in rear of bridges, or at the entrance of 
 defiles ; but in this case, if the chain falls back 
 these special posts should be strengthened, and 
 intermediate posts placed to give prompt assist- 
 ance in case of attack. It would be prudrit at 
 night to withdraw picquets which have been in 
 advance of bridges during the day and let them 
 occupy the debouche of the bridge or causeway, 
 with a few sentries. 
 
 Great care should be taken in placing picquets 
 
18 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 ^1 
 
 to place them out of view of the enemy's posts, as 
 for instance, behind hedges, buildings, groves, 
 eminences, &c., being careful to see that the flanks 
 and rear are open to view. Sentries should also as 
 much as possible be concealed from the enemy, 
 but, at the same time, should have as clear and 
 extended a view as can be obtained. 
 
 If picquets for the sake of concealment are 
 placed in ravines, or hollow ground, it is neces- 
 sary to select a spot as near as possible to the post, 
 upon which the picquet and intermediate posts 
 can assemble upon the first alarm, as it would be 
 impossible to strengthen a position in a dell or 
 ravine so as to resist an attack. 
 
 If it is necessary for a picquet to occupy a wood 
 it is desirable to place the sentries just within the 
 outer border of the wood toward the enemy, the 
 picquet taking up a position about 200 yards 
 within the wood ; but in a difc^posilion of this 
 nature the picquet, instead of v/aiting for the sen- 
 tries to fall back on it, will, on the first alarm, 
 move up at once to the line of sentries, and make * 
 a stand on the border of the wood, so as to pre- 
 vent the enemy from having the advantage which 
 the picquet would possess from the covering af- 
 forded by the trees. If the sentries can be placed 
 with advantage beyond the wood then the picquet 
 should be placed just within the outer edge. 
 
 A picquet should never be placed within musket 
 shot of the houses of a village, or close to hedges, 
 or w^oods, for a position of this kind would be 
 very difBcult to hold, if the enemy were to obtain 
 possession of such cover. In case a picquet is 
 placed near a village it should be placed on its 
 outskirts, on the side toward w^hich the enemy 
 
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OUTPOSTS. 
 
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 would advance, making arrangements to check 
 his advance by breastworks, abattis, he. If cav- 
 alry are in the picquet as well as infantry, one 
 arm should be placed on the road and the other 
 concealed on one side, according to the nature of 
 the ground, so that one could check the advance 
 while the other attacked him in flank. 
 
 If several roads unite at some distance in front 
 of where a picquet should be placed, it will take 
 post at proper distance from the junction, and oc- 
 cupy the point of junction with videttes and sen- 
 tries. If the point of junction is not far from 
 where the picquet ought to be, it should occupy 
 the point itself, and push out videttes or sentries 
 on all the approaches. If two roads running par- 
 allel towards the rear of the picquet, unite at some 
 distance in its rear, it should be placed equi-dis- 
 tant from the two flank roads, and should post 
 videttes on both roads, and on all the approaches. 
 Circumstances of locality must however regulate 
 these general principles in special cases. 
 
 High ground is very favourable for picquets, if 
 so situated as to admit of defending the roads, by 
 which the enemy must debouch. And when the 
 slopes towards the enemy are clear and open, 
 affording no cover to a hostile advance, and when 
 the ground to the rear will admit of supports being 
 brought up readily, cavalry picquets should not 
 be placed on ground which is only suitable for 
 defence, but the\ will be effective where the ground 
 slopes gently towards the enemy. 
 
 If cavalry and infantry are united in the pic- 
 quet, the cavalry should take up position in the 
 open fields, the infantry supporting or flanking 
 them as they can best find cover. 
 
20 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 In posting outposts along the oank ol a river, the 
 gtv^atest care should be taken to watch and defend 
 those points where the river bends towards the 
 enemy, for it is on such points that thf^ enemy will 
 Httempt to force a passage, the conformation of 
 itie ground often enabling them from their side of 
 the river to open a cross fire across the tont^ue or 
 projection of land which is made by the bend or 
 curve of the river. In this case small alarm posts 
 and double sentries should be placed on these 
 curves, the picquet a little to tlie rear, protected as 
 much as possible from artillery fire, with a strong 
 main guard in the vicinity to support the picquet. 
 Under no advantages of ground can these precau- 
 tions be safely neglected. 
 
 Picquets ought not to be placed on the front of 
 bridges and causeways of great length, unless the 
 head of the bridge is }jrotected by a tett-de-ponl or 
 some strong ground. If the fire of a main guard 
 posted near the debouche of the bridge can cover 
 the retreat of the picquet, it may in some instances 
 be pushed across ; but it is better to post small 
 alarm posts or double sentries on the other side. 
 In cases like this materials should be in readiness 
 to stop up the bridge or causeway, and prepara- 
 tions even made for destroying bridges, though in 
 no case, except by superior orders, should any de- 
 file be barricaded so effectually, as to cause any 
 great delay in opening up again the passage. 
 These barricades or stoppages should be made 
 near the position to prevent the enemy from 
 attempting under cover of night to re-establish the 
 passage, or even approach the barricade without 
 exposing himself to our fire, if over a river the ob- 
 struction ought to be made where the water is 
 
the 
 end 
 
 the 
 will 
 1 of 
 leof 
 ic or 
 id or 
 posts 
 these 
 ed as 
 irong 
 quet. 
 ecau- 
 
 ont of 
 ss the 
 nt or 
 uard 
 cover 
 ances 
 small 
 side, 
 liness 
 ;para- 
 igh in 
 ly de- 
 fee any 
 jsage. 
 made 
 from 
 Ish the 
 ithout 
 Ihe ob- 
 iter is 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 21 
 
 
 Jeepest, if the river is not of sufficient depth to 
 prevent fording in its whole breadth. If planks, 
 beams, &c. are removed they should not be thrown 
 carelessly into tho water, as they may be required 
 for the re-construction of the communicatioiic 
 
 It is dangerous to post a chain of outposts too 
 near the main body, for the less the distance the 
 greater the facility of suddenly attacking the pic- 
 quets in force, driving them in and surprising the 
 camp or bivouac itself before the troops can form. 
 The only means of avoiding this danger is by im- 
 posing a much stricter vigilance among the main 
 body, by which the fatigue of the soldier is con- 
 siderably increased. On the other hand if the dis- 
 tance is too great the sentries and videttes cannot 
 fall back with as much security upon the pickets 
 and the pickets upon the supjjorts, and there is 
 danger of portions of the chain being lost. 
 
 In-lying picquets and reserves should be instruc- 
 ted in '*ase of alarm as to what point of the chain 
 they a e to support, so as to move up without con- 
 fusion or delay. For this purpose they must be 
 made acquainted with the nearest paths or roads* 
 In-lying picquets are sometimes employed at night 
 and in foggy weather in strengthening the chain 
 of outposts, and supplying defects in it ; whenever 
 they are employed in this way fresh bodies are told 
 off to supply their place in the camp. 
 
 In some instances when the enemy is distant 
 two marches, and the General has great confidence 
 in his source of information, the reserves and in- 
 lying picquets are dispensed with ; the patrols, 
 especially of cavalry, being in that case constantly 
 in motion, and detached scouring parties being also 
 on the alert. 
 
I ♦ 
 
 II 
 
 22 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 In case the main body is not of siiificient strength 
 to supply a connplete chain of outposts at the regu- 
 lar distance, the line of main guards is left out, 
 and the chain of picquets posted at half distance. 
 In this case the main body is in some measure the 
 Grand Guard, or Reserve, and must be ready to 
 stand to arms at a moment's notice. This is only 
 done in cases of necessity, as when the army halts 
 for a few hours, and is under arms during the 
 whole time, or when the enemy is at a distance. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Posting Videttes and Sentries^ and their Duties. 
 
 As the principal duty of sentries and videttes is 
 to give notice to their picquets of any threatened 
 attack of the enemy, so that they may form to re- 
 sist them, and notify the posts on either side of 
 them, the greatest care must be taken to place 
 them in positions which will give the widest possi- 
 ble scope to their observation. 
 
 Those points of ground from which a clear view 
 to the front and flanks can best be obtained, must 
 be carefully selected on which to post the sentries. 
 In flat level country where there are no eminences 
 on which to post them, church steeples, high build- 
 ings and trees must be used to supply the place of 
 elevated points of ground. But in these cases it is 
 desirable, in order to save time, to place a second 
 sentry below, in order to signal, or carry the re- 
 port of the looker out to the piepuet. 
 
 i 
 
 
OUTPOSTS, 
 
 23 
 
 ngth 
 egu- 
 
 out, 
 ince. 
 e the 
 ly to 
 
 only 
 halts 
 ? the 
 ice. 
 
 Juties. 
 
 ;ttes is 
 tened 
 to re- 
 ide of 
 place 
 possi- 
 
 ir view 
 
 must 
 
 entries. 
 
 Inences 
 
 baild- 
 ilace of 
 jes it is 
 Isecond 
 
 the re- 
 
 At night, the sentries or videltes should generally 
 be withdrawn from the heights and placed behind 
 the crest, as it is impossible from the kigh ground 
 to see at night what is going on in the flat or hol- 
 low, while, on the other hand, anything moving 
 over the crest of the hill (especially in clear nights) 
 is easily seen against the sky from below. The 
 enemy, also, to avoid being seen, would certainly 
 direct his movements along the lowest ground. 
 In order to obtain the full advantage, a sentry 
 watching a road must take care that the eye does 
 not rest on any dark background, but upon the 
 sky, or his observation would be of no effect. 
 
 Sentries at night should be drawn closer to each 
 other, and to their picquets, and re-inforced ; for 
 the security of the whole chain, and of each indi- 
 vidual sentry, depends entirely upon the connec- 
 tion and mutual vigilance At night sentries de- 
 pend more upon the sense of hearing than of sight, 
 and by placing the ear to the ground the march of 
 troops can generally be distinguished at a much 
 greater distance than otherwise. To give full play 
 to the sense of hearing, sentries should not be 
 placed, at night, near mills, rushing waters, or 
 trecL ; nor should they have the collars of their 
 cloaks or coats turned up, or the ears of their caps 
 down. 
 
 If sentries are posted double, and any move- 
 ment is perceptible in the enemy's camp, such as 
 the moving of columns, cavalry or artillery, one 
 man runs in while the other continues his obser- 
 vation. If posted singly, he makes the signal 
 previously fixed upon to the post of communica- 
 tion, which passes it to the picquet. Cavalry 
 videttes signal when any party from the enemy is 
 
24 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 i.! 
 
 seen approaching, by circling their horses at a 
 walk, trot, or gallop, according to the number of 
 the approaching force. If it be cavalry only, both 
 videttes circle to the right ; if infantry, both to the 
 left ; if cavalry and infantry, one to the right and 
 the other to the left If a cavalry vidette is posted 
 singly he circles to the right and to the left in the 
 same manner as if there was another with him ; 
 and, if there is a mixed force of the enemy ap- 
 proaching, he circles first to the right and then to 
 the left, in the shape of the figure 8. If they re- 
 quire a party from the picquet, they place the hel- 
 met or chaco on the muzzle of the carbine and 
 raise it well above the head. 
 
 When the sentry or vidette is so posted that, 
 from darkness, distance, fog, or wind, his voice or 
 signal cannot be heard or seen by the sentry of 
 communication, he must wait until he is certain 
 that the enemy is advancing towards the position, 
 and then give the alarm by firing. If the matter 
 is not urgent he must wait the arrival of the next 
 patrol, and report accordingly. 
 
 The sentry of communication posted between 
 the advanced line and the picquet, on seeing the 
 signal, or hearing the voice of the advanced sen- 
 try, will run in and report the circumstance to the 
 officer in command, who will go himself or send 
 a non-commissioned officer to ascertain the cause 
 of it. All sentries, videttes, and advanced parties 
 must alarm their picquets if, during the night, the 
 noise of artillery or the step of horses is heard. 
 When sentries are double one man may run for- 
 ward some one hundred yards, lie down, and 
 listen with his ear to the ground. 
 
 On the approach of the enemy, the sentry gives 
 
 the 
 
 iti 
 
 sJo^ 
 
 vie 
 
 bei] 
 
 cha 
 
 ing 
 
 war 
 
 a si I 
 
 porti 
 
 cent 
 
 front 
 
 Se 
 
 ^gaij 
 
 and < 
 
 on ar 
 
 preca 
 
 impe 
 
 by fir 
 
 he mi 
 
 port. 
 
 chalh 
 
 ^ given 
 
 re-Ioa 
 
 will, 
 
 the c£ 
 
 sentri( 
 
 port o 
 
 stand 
 
 Vid 
 
 ward 
 
 or ban 
 
 and re 
 
 should 
 
 enemy 
 
 left to t 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 25 
 
 at a 
 er of 
 both 
 
 the 
 t and 
 osted 
 n the 
 him ; 
 
 y ap- 
 len to 
 ey re- 
 le hel- 
 e and 
 
 1 that, 
 Dice or 
 itry of 
 3ertain 
 )sition, 
 matter 
 e next 
 
 'tween 
 \ng the 
 )d sen- 
 
 to the 
 L)r send 
 
 cause 
 Iparties 
 rht, the 
 
 heard. 
 
 [•un for- 
 
 , and 
 
 gives 
 
 the alarm by firing; and, on their nearer approach, 
 it is followed by a second shot — the sentry retiring 
 slowly towards his picquet, keeping the enemy in 
 view. On a second shot from the same sentry 
 being heard, the alarm is repeated along the whole 
 chain, which ialls back upon its picquet, preserv- 
 ing its extended order. If the enemy pushes for- 
 ward briskly, the sentries must fire repeatedly, as 
 a signal for the whole line to fall back on the sup- 
 ports, being careful, in retiring, to open in the 
 centre and form on the flanks, so as to clear the 
 front of the picquets. 
 
 Sentries and videttes, at night, as a security 
 against surprise, must preserve a perfect stillness, 
 and constant vigilance ; and no conversation can, 
 on any account, be permitted. If, in spite of all 
 precautions, a sentry or party are surprised, it is 
 imperatively necessary for them to alarm the line 
 by firing ; and, if a man should chance to escape, 
 he must make his way to the nearest po>t, and re- 
 port. If anyone approaches a sentry at night, ho 
 challenges in an under tone ; and, if no answer is 
 given, he musi fire and retire forty or fifty yards, 
 re-loading immediately. If nothing iollows, he 
 will, on the arrival of the patrol sent to discover 
 the cause of the alarm, resume his post. If the 
 sentries are double, one reserves his fire in sup- 
 port of his comrade. In which case both sentries 
 stand fast. 
 
 Videttes, sentries, and small parties thrown for- 
 ward over bridges which have been blown up 
 or barricaded, must fire on an advancing enemy, 
 and retire separately or conceal themselves. They 
 should never take refuge in houses or barns, as the 
 enemy is sure to seek them th. re, and no escape is 
 left to them. 
 
 I 
 
26 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 u 
 
 Sentries cannot permit any one to pass beyond 
 their line, even when the enemy is at a distance, 
 or the individual has a pass. A sentry has no 
 business to examine papers or authority to act upon 
 them ; any person endeavouring so to pass must be 
 made a prisoner or shot if he attempts to escape. 
 
 The same precautions must be taken in case of 
 persons advancing to the line from without. The 
 sentries must challenge at about 100 yards and if 
 the person proves to be a deserter he must be di- 
 rected to lay down his arms and walk away from 
 them. He must then be detained until the patrol 
 arrives, unless the sentry can signal to the contig- 
 uous post. If several deserters approach the great- 
 est precaution must be observed, as this is often a 
 mask, under which they hope to surprise the post. 
 
 It was by neglect of these precautions that the 
 Prussian army under Frederick the Great, was 
 surprised at Hochkirch, 16th October, 1758. De- 
 serters coming in such numbers as to overpower 
 the Prussian main guards. 
 
 Videttes, and sentries, will not allow armed 
 parties in uniform having the appearance of allies 
 to pass the chain of sentries until examined by a 
 patrol. Such parties must be kept at a distance 
 from the post and their presence immediately re- 
 ported. When patrols and rounds come up the or- 
 dinary precautions against surprise must not be dis- 
 pensed with. If posted double one man goes for- 
 ward to the halted party and finds out if all is well, 
 the other remain^ ready to fire ; if all is well the 
 word " pass " is given and the patrol moves on. 
 Flags of Truce are also challenged, and halted until 
 examined by a patrol. 
 
 Sentries should notice particularly the positions 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 21 
 
 ; beyond 
 iistance, 
 ' has no 
 act upon 
 must be 
 ► escape. 
 
 n case of 
 lUt. The 
 rds and if 
 list be di- 
 way from 
 the patrol 
 he contig- 
 i the great- 
 , is often a 
 e the post. 
 IS that the 
 Ire at, was 
 758. De- 
 overpower 
 
 ow armed 
 le of allies 
 nined by a 
 a distance 
 diately re- 
 up the or- 
 not be dis- 
 ,n goes f or- 
 al! is well, 
 is well the 
 moves on. 
 lalted until 
 
 le positions 
 
 of the enemy's videttes and posts, if they are within 
 view, the hours at which they are relieved and 
 visited, the du'ection and strength of their patrols, 
 and the hours at which they go out and also all 
 changes in their posts, which they must report to 
 the officer in command of the patrols and also of 
 the picquet. 
 
 If a sentry or vidette discovers a party of the 
 enemy within the advanced chain he must fire im- 
 mediately and repeatedly to give the alarm : and 
 the nearest sentries or parties if cut off from their 
 own picquets must make their way to some ad- 
 jacent post. 
 
 When a vidette hears anything at night that 
 seems suspicious, he should advance a few paces, 
 to find out if possible what it is : if the noise con- 
 tinuey the vidette should fire and join his outpost, 
 but he should take care not to fire needlessly as 
 any animal or the rustling of leaves might have 
 occasioned it. 
 
 If a man deserts from the advanced post the 
 commander should be immediately informed and 
 patrols detached to acquaint all the videttes and 
 outposts of the circumstance. In this case the 
 countersign ought to be immediately changed. 
 
 When an envoy from the enemy approaches the 
 line of outposts he should be accompanied by a 
 drummer or trumpeter if not he should be made a 
 prisoner, and sent on immediately to the main 
 guard and to the head ./larters. The greatest care 
 should always be taken by vide'tes and sentries, 
 as well as by officers commanding detached parties 
 to prevent messengers under a flag of truce from 
 obtaining any information, either from the men of 
 post or by observation. If the army is executing a 
 
^8 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 movement which should be coricoaled from the 
 -enemy, the envoy should be detained until it is 
 executed. 
 
 CHAPTFR IV. 
 
 Patrols and their duties. 
 
 patrols are of two kinds, those which patrol to 
 the front, and those which patrol along the chain. 
 The object of the former is to discover the enemy, 
 and obtain information cf his movements, the duty 
 of the latter is to watch over the vigilance of the 
 parties composing the chain, and to keep up the 
 communication with the contiguous posts. Pat- 
 rols sent out by picquets can only consist of a very 
 lew men, and the distance over which they patrol 
 must depend entirely upon circumstances. 
 
 If a patrol moving to the front should happen to 
 meet a strong body of the enemy advancing upon 
 the position, it will immediately give the alarm by 
 firing, it w^U then take up a position to check 
 their advance or will retire accordinsr to the nature 
 of the ground, the strength of the opposing party, 
 and other circumstances, sending at once a man 
 to report the fict to the picquet. If the enemy ad- 
 vances very slowly or takes up a defensive position, 
 the patrol will regulate its movements accordingly, 
 keeping him in view." If the patrol is formed of 
 cavalry it may detach two men to observe the 
 enemy more closely. If the opposing column 
 pushes forward vigorously, the patrol retires firing 
 oontinually during the retreat, being careful to fall 
 
I 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 29 
 
 om the 
 itil it is 
 
 patrol to 
 le chain. 
 e enemy, 
 the duty 
 ce of the 
 ;p up the 
 sts. Pat- 
 of a very 
 ey patrol 
 s. 
 
 happen to 
 [ing upon 
 alarm by 
 to check 
 |he nature 
 tg party, 
 ;e a man 
 memy ad- 
 position, 
 ?;ordingly, 
 formed of 
 •serve the 
 column 
 ^res firing 
 (ful to fall 
 
 back upon one flank of ihe picquet, upon which it 
 is retiring. If the patrol in its advance meets a 
 weak patrol of the enemy, it will fire the alarm to 
 excite the vigilance of the chain of sentries, as ihe 
 presence of weak patrols generally indicate tne 
 proximity of stronger bodies. It will not be ne- 
 cessary to fire in case the ground is very open, and 
 it can be seen that there are not large parties near. 
 The patrol in this case does not retire, >ut posting 
 itself on favourable ground, observes the enemy, 
 and awaits the arrival of the next rounds. If the 
 patrol meets a body of the enemy's troops within 
 the advanced chain, it opens at once a brisk fire, 
 and acts otherwise as circumstances dictate. 
 
 All sentries incapable of duty or negligence oi* 
 their posts, on the arrive, of the patrols are to be 
 immediately relieved and taken back to the pic- 
 quet. Important information should be at once 
 conveyed to the picquet by a m«n detached for 
 that purpose, important matters are reported on 
 the return of the patrol. ^ 
 
 The following are the general rules for sending 
 out patrols : — 
 
 1st. The main guards patrol towards their pic- 
 quets and other outposts (exclusive of grand pa- 
 trols), and on their flanks towards the contiguous 
 main guards and posts of communication from 
 whence the patrolling is continued. 
 
 2nd. Picquets patrol along their chain and to- 
 wards the enemy, and also to the adjoining pic- 
 quets and posts of communication. 
 
 3rd. Patrols of communication between the 
 several posts of the chain ordinarily go every two 
 or three hours. Patrols from the main guards to 
 their picquets every hour, the patrolling con menc- 
 

 30 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 i 
 
 ing at daylight and continued at regular intervals 
 during the 24 hours. 
 
 4th. The second patrols march off when it is 
 calculated that the first have reached the farthest 
 point of their round, and so on, so that two patrols 
 one in each direction, are constantly in motion. 
 The severity of this duty may in some instances 
 be lessened by not marching off the second patrol 
 until the return of their first. This can only be 
 permitted when the enemy is at a distance. 
 
 5th. Extra patrols are sent out when a shot is 
 heard in the line of videttes or from a patrolling 
 party, or if repealed firing is heard from some of 
 the distant posts. In this case the patrol takes the 
 nearest road to the adjoining picquet in the direc- 
 tion of the alarm, and as every post does this the 
 actual cause may soon be communicated, especial- 
 ly when cavalry patrols are employed. Extra 
 patrols are also sent out if any movement is sig- 
 nalled or deserters are coming in, or in case of any 
 special report coming in which may require inves- 
 tigation or attention. 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 Duties of Officers on Outpost Duty, 
 
 The command of a cordon of outposts should be 
 €ntrusted to a field ofiScer, because, from his posi- 
 tion he is necessarily the soul of the system of de- 
 fence : all the troops connected with this duty, are 
 under his orders, all reports are made to him, and 
 from him proceed all the orders relating to the 
 
 off 
 aix 
 av( 
 ma 
 ser 
 tim 
 ma^ 
 infli 
 his ] 
 tion 
 hed 
 repo 
 musi 
 chaii 
 
 of C( 
 
 admi 
 
 time 
 
 bivou 
 
 Ea 
 
 with 
 of the 
 specif 
 what 
 move 
 
 ■^. At ] 
 
 ^ station 
 
 to be 
 
 chain 
 will re 
 and m 
 cumsta 
 he wil 
 to watc 
 in case 
 
 a 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 31 
 
 ntervals 
 
 len it is 
 i farthest 
 
 patrols 
 motion. 
 
 Lnstanc3S 
 ad patrol 
 only be 
 se. 
 
 a shot is 
 patrolling 
 
 1 some of 
 takes the 
 the direc- 
 s this the 
 , especial- 
 d. Extra 
 ,ent is sig- 
 ase of any 
 
 ire inves- 
 
 \ty. 
 
 should be 
 n his posi- 
 ^tem of de- 
 duty, are 
 him, and 
 [ing to the 
 
 general arrangements of the chain. The field 
 officer's post is usually fixed in a central position 
 among those posts which cover the most important 
 avenues to the camp — and in rear of the line of 
 main guards. Here he should place his main re- 
 serve. His duty requires him to go therounds from 
 time to time, so that every part of the line of defence 
 may be under his supervision and may feel the 
 influence of his presence. But whenever he quits 
 his post on visiting rounds or inspection of a por- 
 tion of the chain, he leaves behind an officer whom 
 he deputes to take charge of his bivouac, to receive 
 reports, and to give instructions. This substitute 
 must be made acquainted with the points of the 
 chain he proposes visiting, and the shortest road 
 of communication to him. If time and distance 
 admit, his actual position should be from time to 
 time communicated by orderly, to the officer at the 
 bivouac. 
 
 Each picquet or post must be made acquainted 
 with the shortest and best roads to the bivouac 
 of the field officer, and the reserves must have 
 specific directions, under what circumstances, 
 what picquets, and by which roads they are to 
 move forward in support. ^ 
 
 At night and towards morning, the field officer 
 stations himself with the main guard, most likely 
 to be attacked, and notifies his position to the whole 
 chain of outposts, and also to the reserves. He 
 will repair to any threatened spot in case of alarm 
 and make his dispositions according to the cir- 
 cumstances, if the alarm appear of no importance, 
 he will leave a mounted officer with an orderly 
 Ho watch the progress of affairs, and report to him 
 in case matters assume a serious shape. 
 
 :t 
 
 ■..nit 
 
1 1 
 
 32 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 I 
 
 11 
 
 i, 
 
 T 
 
 If the alarm is heard from several points at once 
 he sends officers on whose judgment he can rely, 
 to the several points to report on the cause of suuh 
 firing, remaining himself with the grand reserves, 
 or proceeding to the most important posts, leaving 
 careful directions where he is to be found. 
 
 In visiting the chain of posts, the field officer 
 carefully examines the exact position of each post, 
 corrects any faults he may see in their disposition, 
 and sees that every part of the chain is on the alert. 
 
 The officer in charge of a post, after first making 
 good his post, prepares and sends off his report to 
 the field officer, as soon as the morning patrols 
 have returned, and the old picquets have marched 
 off*. The orderly who is sent to the rear with this 
 report, does not return to his picquet, but remains 
 at the field officer's posl as an orderly, so that a 
 certain number of men are assembled in this way, 
 at the officer's bivouac, who are acquainted with 
 the nearest roads to their respective posts. A se- 
 cond report is sent in at noon and another in the 
 evening. These reports state the number of detached 
 parties, videttes or sentries ; how posted, the 
 state of communication with contiguous posts, 
 the orders for the patrols, any intelli<i;ence that 
 may have been obtained, as well as any change 
 in the disposition of his own men. 
 
 The officers in command of out picquets, should 
 place an old soldier with a young one if posted 
 double, taking care that no man knows beforehand 
 the post he is to occupy. 
 
 The officer commanding the post immediately 
 opposite to where a flag of truce arrives from the 
 enemy's lines, proceeds to the point and having 
 answered the signal, calls upon the flag to ap- 
 
 Th( 
 be mac 
 dawn, 
 march 
 that tir 
 the wh 
 at the t 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 33 
 
 , at once 
 ;an rely, 
 J of such 
 reserves, 
 , leaving 
 
 • 
 
 Id officer 
 
 ;ach post, 
 
 sposition, 
 
 the alert, 
 
 St making 
 s report to 
 ng patrols 
 i marched 
 r with this 
 iit remains 
 so that a 
 a this way, 
 inted with 
 ists. A se- 
 abed in the 
 of detached 
 jiosted, the 
 ous posts, 
 iience that 
 ,ny change 
 
 lets, should 
 
 ^e if posted 
 
 beforehand 
 
 imediately 
 res from the 
 land having 
 
 tlag to ap- 
 
 proach, the communication is then made or the 
 despatches delivered over and a receipt given. If 
 an immediate answer be required or if the officer 
 demands to be conducted to head quarters or to 
 the field officer, the officer in command of the pic- 
 quet will forward a ref>ort of the circumstance and 
 place the flag in a position where the line of posts 
 cannot be overlooked to wait until an answer is 
 received. If permission is granted to pass to head 
 quarters, the flag must be blindfolded and conduc- 
 ted under proper escort through the lines. If the 
 enemy's flag approaches under escort, it must be 
 intimated to him at once that no parley will be 
 held until it is completely withdrawn, its presence 
 being entirely unnecessary. 
 
 No one can communicate with the flag except 
 the picquet officer, and the greatest strictness must 
 be enforced in this respect ; he must confine him- 
 self to the object of its approach, and take no verbal 
 communication. The flag is entirely under his 
 charge until he is dismissed or sent to head quar- 
 ters, and all communications by staff officers should 
 be made in his presence. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Relieving Outposts^ SfC. 
 
 The period at which an attack is most likely to 
 be made, if meditated, is about an hour or so before 
 dawn. In consequence of this the reliefs generally 
 march off* so as to arrive on their several posts about 
 that time in the morning. By this arrangement 
 the whole strength of the cham of posts is doubled 
 at the time when a greater accession of strength is 
 

 ll^i 
 
 '(■! 
 
 ' ^i' 
 
 34 
 
 OUTPOST!*. 
 
 most likely to be needed. During the time occu- 
 pied in the relief, the two picquets become one 
 under the command of the senior officer. The re- 
 lief of the videttcs, sentries and advanced posts, then 
 takes place. While this is going on the post is 
 handed over to the officer of^the relief, who ascer- 
 tains the number and posts of all the videttes, &c., 
 the number of patrols and their routes, all the in- 
 formation known of the enemy's post^^?, together 
 with the fullest information as to all the roads, 
 paths, &c., between his post and the contiguous 
 posts, and the station of the field officer. 
 
 The morning ^rand patrols go out at the time 
 the relief of the posts takes place ; each picquet at 
 the same time sending out their common patrols 
 to front and flank. These patrols are found, in 
 common, to enable the new picquets to become 
 acquainted with the roads, &c. 
 
 As soon as the morning grand patrol returns and 
 reports " all's well," the old picquets march off, 
 unless the weather is foggy, when they remain un- 
 til the neighborhood is to a certain extent open to 
 view ; or unless some movement is reported in the 
 enemy's camp. 
 
 The officer of the old picquet on the relief should 
 conduct the officer of the new picquet along the 
 chain of sentries during the relief, pointing out to 
 him the enemy's posts, as well as their own con- 
 tiguous posts. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Duties of Picquets, 
 
 A picquet should be in a constant state of readi- 
 ness, prepared to stand to arms at any moment 
 
 ^ 
 
OUTPOSTS. 
 
 35 
 
 occu- 
 le one 
 'he re- 
 :s,theii 
 post is 
 > ascer- 
 ;s, &c., 
 the in- 
 ogether 
 roads, 
 ttiguous 
 
 he time 
 cquet at 
 I patrols 
 Dund, in 
 ) become 
 
 urns and 
 larch off, 
 main un- 
 t open to 
 Led in the 
 
 lef should 
 ilong the 
 [ng out to 
 lown con- 
 
 of readi- 
 moment 
 
 while on duty. The arms must, therefore be kept 
 in the most serviceable condition ; the packs of 
 the infantry piled close to the arms, and the cavalry 
 horses saddled. 
 I Watering parties can only be detached at the 
 
 hour when it is at least probable that they will be 
 required. Only small numbers should go at a time, 
 and they should always go armed, and should re- 
 turn with the least delay possible. 
 
 If the weather is very cold the picquet may be 
 permitted to place themselves around the fires be- 
 fore midnight. But after midnight one half or one 
 third must be under arms in the strictest sense of 
 the word ; but about two hours before day break 
 the whole picquet is placed under arms and remains 
 in strict preparation until the morning patrols have 
 returned. 
 
 Cavalry picquets feed their horses, by divisions, 
 three times a day — first on the return of the morn- 
 ing patrols, second at noon, and third an hour be- 
 fore dark. Water should be brought, if possible, 
 if not small parties should go to water at a time ; 
 these parties must return instantly on hearing a 
 shot in the advance line of sentries. When the 
 enemy is very close the post should stand to arms 
 on the approach of night. 
 
 The men might be allowed to sit down before 
 midnight with their arms in their hands, by sections 
 or subdivisions. Cavalry, by turns, can dismount, 
 but after midnight, until break of day, the infantry 
 should be under arms, ai d the cavalry mounted. 
 
 If the enemy is at a distance the severity of this 
 duty may be considerably lessened, especially in 
 the day time, by allowing repose to the picquets 
 by turns. 
 
' 1 1 
 
 i'! 
 
 
 36 
 
 OUTPOSTS. 
 
 I! 
 
 When a picquet has a fire it should always be 
 placed so as to be concealed from observation as 
 much as possible ; the alarm post of the picquet 
 should be in rear of the fire, so as to prevent the 
 picquet from being seen when drawn up, and to 
 expose the enemy in coming up to attack them. 
 
 I Vi 
 
 In 
 
 ary, 
 
 and ] 
 Jery ( 
 best^ 
 pend 
 enem 
 toaf 
 is un( 
 
 In 
 
 town 
 housej 
 breast 
 or in s 
 those 
 from e 
 
 In a 
 fence 
 tion of 
 be stui 
 ciple, s 
 
 ! ' If" 
 
ays 
 
 be 
 
 lion as 
 picquet 
 ent the 
 , and to 
 Lhem. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 General Principles of Defensive Works, 
 
 In all fortifications, both permanent and tempor- 
 ary, every part of the line should if possible be seen 
 and protected by another, by the flank fire of artil- 
 lery or musketry at an effective range. Lines are 
 best disposed for this purpose when they stand per- 
 pendicularly to each other, as in this position an 
 enemy attacking either portion of the line is liable 
 to a fire upon his flank from the other ; this is what 
 is understood by one line flanking another. 
 
 In preparing defensive works in a village or 
 town this principle would be applied by occupying 
 houses standing at right angles with each other — 
 breastworks being constructed across the streets 
 or in such a manner as to give a flanking fire along 
 those sides of the houses, which could not be seen 
 ifrom each other. 
 
 In applying this principle of flanking in the de- 
 
 [fence of a country or farm house, the relative posi- 
 
 jtion of the out-houses, stables, walls, &c., would 
 
 be studied, and if necessary to carry out the prin- 
 
 Iciple, some temporary work should be made. AH 
 
 B 
 
i 
 
 I! t 
 
 i<il 
 
 38 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 Mi 
 
 parts of a line of Works should be equally strong, 
 and where nature or local circumstances have 
 withheld their aid obstructions should be multiplied 
 in order to compensate for their weakness ; and in 
 order to equalize the whole line of defence, those 
 situations which are most exposed to attack, should 
 be made the most difficult of access. 
 
 The ground wiihin range of all works of a de- 
 fensive nature should be open to the fire of the de- 
 fenders, and as clear of obstructions as possible, so 
 that an enemy in advancing to the attack should 
 not be able to find cover, but completely exposed 
 when he approaches. In this way buildings and 
 fences close in front of positions should be levelled, 
 and ditches filled up ; the surface of all slopes 
 should be seen if possible to the very foot of them, 
 as an enemy might advance and form under cover 
 at a moderate distance from the work. 
 
 There should also be a clear and uninterrupted 
 communication along the whole line of works, no 
 matter what nature they are ; this is to enable the 
 force or a proportion of it to assemble leadily when 
 it maybe most wanted. This communication should 
 be shorter than those by which the enemy could 
 change his dispositions during the attack. 
 
 It is necessafy to make obstructions within the 
 short range of musketry in front of all wor'^s of a 
 temporary character, so as to break the order of the 
 assailants and detain them in confusion undor a 
 close and deadly fire, if they persist in attempting 
 to force their way throusrh. It is half the battle to 
 break the order of the enemy, and throw hi m into 
 confusion under fire. It is very rarely that tro »p!* 
 can be reformed under such circumstances, and art 
 attack in disorder rarely if ever succeeds. 
 
 ur 
 
 ou 
 
 the 
 to J 
 the 
 S 
 twc 
 li 
 the 
 as V 
 fenc 
 ti on 
 forfii 
 least 
 A 
 on th 
 piece 
 possi 
 from 
 trenc 
 for ab 
 sidoie 
 of retr 
 cess. 
 
 In ail 
 chosen 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 39 
 
 trong, 
 
 have 
 iplied 
 and in 
 
 those 
 
 should 
 
 )f a de- 
 the de- 
 ible, so 
 should 
 exposed 
 ngs and 
 evelled, 
 I slopes 
 of them, 
 [er cover 
 
 enupted 
 orks, no 
 
 able the 
 |ily when 
 »n should 
 
 ,y could 
 
 rilhin the 
 )r'.<s of a 
 
 ller oftlie 
 und<^r a 
 tempting 
 battle to 
 Ihi " iiito 
 at troops 
 Is, and an 
 
 The description of temporary posts naturally falls 
 under three heads, viz. : — 
 
 1st. Such as are artificially constructed through- 
 out. 
 
 2nd. Such as from favorab'e circumstances as to 
 the ground, situation of houses, (^c, only require 
 to have existing objects improved upon to make 
 them equally defensible. 
 
 3rd. Which is the most common a union of these 
 two. 
 
 If a choice can be made in the selection of a Post 
 the inequalities of the ground should be considered 
 as well as the objects upon it, such as buildings, 
 fences, &c. ; and whether from their relative situa- 
 tion the position could be easily convertible into a 
 fortified post, with the least possible labor, in the 
 least possible time. 
 
 A position ought notto be commanded especially 
 on the flanks within the ordinary range of a field 
 pirce ; and in choosing a post the soil should ii 
 possible be of a nature easily worked, especially if 
 from the nature of the post it is necessary to have 
 trencties or d tclies made, the amount of materials 
 for abattis, breastworks, &c. ought also lo be con- 
 sid^'i ed. A post should always have secure means 
 of retreat, and at the same time be difficult of ac- 
 cess. 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 Gen ral Plan of Temporary Works, 
 
 In arranging the general plan for defending a 
 chosen position with temporary works, there are 
 
40 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 
 many considjrations to which the most particular 
 attention must be paid. Thc^ following are the 
 principal : — 
 
 1. The position must be carefully examined in 
 order to ascertain what figure of a work will be 
 most available, in order to obtain the greatest 
 quantity of fire over the points most accessible to 
 attack ; and in order that the general contour of the 
 place may fall in with the ground and tarn to the 
 best account the buildings, fences, &c., upon it. 
 
 2. The object the work is intended^to fulfil in 
 reference to the force with which it is in connex- 
 ion, as well as the distance it is removed from 
 that force, whether instant support may be ex- 
 pected or not, or whether it is to be defended to 
 the last extremity. 
 
 3. Its situation with respect to the distance from 
 the enemy, &c., whether it is likely to be attacked 
 by overwhelming forces or only subject to sudden 
 attacks of small parties of cavalry or infantry. If 
 artillery is likely to be brought up earthen works, 
 if merely for the purposes of cover, are better than 
 buildings, stockades, &c., the parapets in that 
 case must be thicker. If it can be surrounded the 
 defences must extend all round. 
 
 4. The number of men available for defence, it 
 beins" a fixed maxim that a force is better concen- 
 trated than too much distributed ; and it is there- 
 fore injudicious to make works of greater extent 
 than can be well manned and vigorously defended ; 
 the proper proportion would be one file of men to 
 each yard of breastwork in small works, with an 
 addition of a fourth or a sixth in reserve in larger 
 works. 
 
 5. The number of men available for work, the 
 
 
'^ 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 41 
 
 icular 
 re the 
 
 aed in 
 rill be 
 reatest 
 Lble to 
 r of the 
 . to the 
 )n it. 
 
 ulfil in 
 3onnex- 
 d from 
 be ex- 
 ;nded to 
 
 ice from 
 attacked 
 sudden 
 
 ilry. If 
 works, 
 
 Iter than 
 in that 
 ded the 
 
 Ifence, it 
 concen- 
 is there- 
 ;r extent 
 -I'ended ; 
 men to 
 with an 
 lin larger 
 
 rork, the 
 
 ■'•.• 
 
 '■■d 
 
 tools available for them to work with, so as not to 
 commence on more work than can be well done, 
 it being a very important point to suit the works 
 to the time there is to make them in. 
 
 6. The nature of materials convenient to make 
 use of, as this will necessarily have a great influ- 
 ence on the details of the plan, and will afford 
 opportunity for the exercise of considerable tact 
 and intelligence, in appropriating and adapting 
 the means at hand for carrying the general plan 
 into effect, and securing its ohjects with the least 
 possible labour. No one not conversant with 
 work of this description can have any idea of the 
 great saving of time and labour that may be effec- 
 ted by taking advantage of what might seem at a 
 casual glance to be very unimportant local fea- 
 tures. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Details of Execution, 
 
 In making temporary works a variety of tools 
 will be required which may be gathered from tlie 
 inhabitants, or which must otherwise be furnished 
 to detachments who are expected to defend and 
 strengthen a post. 
 
 These tools are : 
 
 1. For sinking trenches and cuttinsr down trees 
 and constructing abattis, spades, shovels, pick- 
 axes and axes. 
 
 2, For loopholing walls and preparing timber, 
 stockades, &c., sledgehammers, handborers, crow 
 bars, saws, augurs, and spike nails. 
 
lliiil il 
 
 wmli 
 Hi' 
 
 42 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 3. For general service, sand bags. 
 
 These tools would be required in different pro- 
 portions in accordance with the nature of the work 
 to be constructed. As for example, in the open field 
 pick-axes and shovels would be mainly wanted ; if 
 an abattis could be made, axes would be required ; • 
 if houses were to be loopholed and barricaded, 
 the other tools would be in greater requisition. 
 Sand bags are very useful for many purposes, as 
 lor protecting men firing over a parapet or breast- 
 work, or for quickly blocking up the lower parts 
 of windows, &c. One man can carry one hun- 
 dred empty sand bags, weighing about 60 lbs., 
 each of which will contain one bushel of earth, 
 and when full they are at ordinary range musket 
 proof. 
 
 In constructing temporary works, care must be 
 taken to put each man at work with the tool he has 
 been accustomed to use. As carpenters, to use the 
 saws and axes; miners, blacksmiths, &c., to be 
 employed to loop hole walls ; labourers where tlie 
 spade and pick-axe are required. The least handy 
 men can be employed in collecting materials ; they 
 can also be selected for the first tour of duty as 
 patrols and sentries. 
 
 With reference to the quantity of work that can 
 be done in a given time it can be calculated, as 
 an average, that an ordinary labourer will dii- out 
 one cubic yard or 27 cubic feet of earth in an hour 
 in middling soil, and can work at that rate for 
 about eight hours or even more ; and that each 
 man requires about six feet in length, to give him 
 distance enough to work with perfect freedom. In 
 case of emergency this distance could be reduced 
 to 4 A feet in length. 
 
 m 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 43 
 
 3nt pro- 
 tie work 
 len field 
 Lilted ; if 
 squired ; 
 ricaded, 
 uisition. 
 poses, as 
 >r breast- 
 ^er parts 
 one hun- 
 t 60 lbs., 
 of earth, 
 e musket 
 
 I must bo 
 ool he has 
 to use the 
 
 c, to be 
 vhere tlie 
 ast handy 
 ials ; they 
 
 f duty as 
 
 that can 
 lulated, as 
 lill (Hi out 
 In an hour 
 It rate for 
 that each 
 give him 
 ;dom. In 
 \e reduced 
 
 The first and simplest kind of artificial cover is 
 what is known as the rifle pit, which is a small 
 hole with the ground thrown out to the front as a 
 protection. A defence of this kind can be thrown 
 up very quickly, but is only useful as a cover, 
 being of no avail as an obstruction or defence 
 against an enemy. 
 
 The next step, in fortifying a post, is to form a 
 lengthened trench, with the ground thrown out to 
 the front. This is nothing more than a continuous 
 rifle pit ; and, as in the case of rifle-pits, is only 
 useful as a cover. If there is time to make a more 
 substantial breastwork than this last, it can be 
 effected by making a ditch on each side of the 
 parapet, the ground being thrown to the centre. 
 This species of temporary work can be speedily 
 thrown up, and has the advantage of enabling 
 men to work on both sides of the parapet at the 
 same time. It gives cover, and the ditch to the 
 front is a species of obstacle to the enemy — it is 
 the first approach to an obstruction. 
 
 Breastworks, or defences, are improved on this 
 principle by leaving out the trench behind the 
 parapet and placing it altogether in front. It will 
 be seen at once that, by placing the ditch before 
 the wall, the mound must be much higher and the 
 ditch consequently much deeper, to give a cover 
 to the defender, than when he gets the additional 
 cover by standing in the ditch. The larger the 
 ditch the greater the obstruction to an attacking 
 force. 
 
 Sometimes, when the ditch is very deep and 
 wide, the mound thrown out is so high that a man 
 standing on the level ground could not fire over it. 
 In this case, a step is made on the inside, about 
 
 
44 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 eighteen inches wide, and about 4 feet 6 inches 
 from the t ^ of the parapet, so that a man can 
 conveniently fire over it. This step is called the 
 "banquette. 
 
 If the ground is very rocky, or hard, as in a 
 road or street, and materials are convenient, it 
 may be far easier and more expeditious to make a 
 cover by forming a breastwork with rubbish, or 
 materials brought to the spot in baskets, sand- 
 bags, or barrows. In a street, barrels of salt, or 
 even of flour or meat, might be piled up in a way 
 to give a very effectual cover. At the battle of 
 New Orleans, General Jackson, with an inferior 
 force, defeated the English army from behind 
 breastworks improvised with cotton bales. At 
 Navy Island, in 1837, cover was obtained by 
 piling up log heaps. In this country, very effec- 
 tive breastworks could be made by piling the ordi- 
 nary fence rails between stakes driven into the 
 ground in two rows, about two or three feet apart, 
 tying the tops together with wire or rope, to pre- 
 vent them spreading ; or, fastening them together 
 with pegs wedged at one end in the manner of the 
 common straight rail fences of this country. The 
 opening between the rails, under and above the 
 pegs which connect the upright stakes, would 
 make a good opening for firing through. 
 
 As soon as cover has been obtained by the men, 
 the next point to be gained is to make the defences 
 as difficult as possible to overcome in an attack 
 by the enemy. This is accomplished by placing 
 abattis and other obstructions within easy range 
 of musketry fire from the entrenchments. 
 
 Entrenchments can be much strengthened by 
 planting a row of pallisades in the ditch, or even 
 
"•^ 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 45 
 
 I inches 
 lan can 
 tiled the 
 
 as in a 
 nient, it 
 ) make a 
 bbish, Gi- 
 ts, sand- 
 )i salt, or 
 in a way 
 battle of 
 a inferior 
 n behind 
 lales. At 
 ained by 
 ^ery effec- 
 y the ordi- 
 [ into the 
 feet apart, 
 )e, to pre- 
 
 together 
 iner of the 
 Ltry. The 
 labove the 
 
 3j would 
 
 the men, 
 
 |e defences 
 
 an attack 
 
 )y placing 
 
 lasy range 
 
 ■ * 
 
 Ithened by 
 jh, or even 
 
 by driving stakes in and sharpening them, or by 
 planting brush at the bottom of the ditch in an vip- 
 right position. 
 
 When an opetning or passage is required through 
 a breastwork or stockade, arrangements must be 
 made so that it can be easily closed and defended. 
 An opening must be laid out so as to prevent a 
 fire through it, by having a screen in front or rear 
 of the opening ; and it is also necessary to have 
 rough chevaux de frize, or gates, or something of 
 the sort to close them up quickly. In making an 
 opening through a barricade in a street, it can be 
 done by making it in two parts, which overlap 
 each other a few feet, leaving an opening between 
 them, but at the same time preventing a direct fire 
 along the street ; or, what is a better plan still, to 
 extend the barricade completely across the street, 
 and making a communication around the end of 
 it by breaking through the walls. In preparing a 
 village for defence, communications must be 
 broken through the walls of the houses along the 
 line of defence, so as to secure a continuous com- 
 munication from one end of the line to the other. 
 
 Defence of Walls. 
 
 Walls are readily made available for purposes 
 of defence by loop-holing them according to the 
 height and situation. Great care must be taken 
 in loop-holing them, it being a general rule that 
 the loop-holes must be so situated as to prevent an 
 enemy from making use of them, if he succeeds in 
 rushing up to them. This is done by making ground 
 
46 
 
 DEFEXCE or OUTPOSTS. 
 
 of a different level on the outside, then on the in- 
 side ; for if an enemy could stand on the same level 
 as the defenders, the loop-holes would equally 
 serve the convenience of both parties, which is not 
 the object for which they are made. Loop-holes 
 should be 8 or 9 feet from the outside level, and 
 on the inside the banquette should be about 4 feet 
 6 inches below them, which is the most convenient 
 height for the average size ol'men. Wheixthe wall 
 is high enough, not less than 18 inches should be 
 left above for the purpose of protecting the men's 
 Jieads in giving their fire. 
 
 These requisites can be attained in various 
 ways. For example, if a wall were 10 feet high the 
 loop-holes might be pierced within eighteen inches 
 of the top, and a temporary stage might be made 
 of casks, waggons, Sec, or an earthen banquette 
 might be made up on the inside for the defenders 
 to lire from. In some cases where a very deter- 
 mined resistance was contemplated, a stage could 
 be erected for the upper loop-holes, and another 
 row pierced close to the ground, and a ditch dug 
 inside to enable the men to get down to fire 
 through them. 
 
 If the wall was only 6 feet high, the loop-holes 
 should be pierced 4 feet 6 inches from the level, 
 and a ditch dug on the outside to obtain the re- 
 quisite height. 
 
 In a wall of this height the loop-holes should be 
 made by breaking down the wall to the depth of 
 about 2 feet in a narrow fissure. This is much the 
 quickest way of loop-holing, as it can be done with 
 a common pick-axe, if nothing better is at hand ; 
 and, by afterwards blocking up the upper parts of 
 the fissures with blocks of stone or wood, or by a 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 47 
 
 the in- 
 e level 
 qually 
 
 is not 
 p-holes 
 I, and 
 [ 4 feet 
 renient 
 le wall 
 mid be 
 
 men's 
 
 v^arious 
 ligh the 
 
 inches 
 e made 
 nquette 
 fenders 
 
 deler- 
 could 
 another 
 tch dug 
 
 to fire 
 
 )p-holes 
 
 ; level, 
 
 the re- 
 
 ould be 
 Jepth of 
 uch the 
 ne with 
 t hand ; 
 parts of 
 or by a 
 
 sand-bag, it would make them almost as safe as 
 aloo[)-liole pierced through a wall. If the wall is 
 very low so that men can fire over it, or there is no 
 time to make loop-holes, a good protection can be 
 obtained by laying a piece of square limber or the 
 trunk of a tree, on top of the wall supported by 
 blocks of wood or stone — the men firing through 
 the opening of il — or sand-bags might be arranged 
 on top of the wall, leaving loop-holes between 
 them, or large stones might be piled up in lieu of 
 sand-bags. 
 
 The ordinary grain b?tgs in use among farmers 
 in this country, of which numbers can be obtained 
 in every town, village, or farm-house, could al- 
 ways be used as sand-bags. 
 
 In making loop-holes through walls, no regular 
 form is necessary — they are merely openings to 
 fire in the required direction, and should enable 
 one to see the ground from within a few yards of 
 the foot of the wall or building, to the extreme 
 jrange of the musket, affording also the opportunity 
 to fire a little to the right and left. In order to effect 
 this, the dimensions will depend upon the height 
 and thickness of the wall. The width of the wall 
 outside should be not more than 3 inches ; but, on 
 the inside it might be of a width equal to thb 
 thickness of the wall. 
 
 Hand-borers — that is, short iron bars, steeled at 
 the ends — are the most useful implements for break- 
 ing loop-holes through brick-work and masonry. 
 They are held in the proper position by one man, 
 another man striking them with a sledge-hammer. 
 An ordinary crow-bar is very handy for this pur- 
 pose, and it is a tool any one can use ; a pick-axe 
 can also be used to good effect in loop-holing walls. 
 
48 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 especially as before stated in breaking open nar- 
 row fissures from the top of the wail. 
 
 If a wall of this nature is exposed to the fire of 
 artillery, it will be very dangerous in consequence 
 of the splinters that will fly from the wall when- 
 ever struck. By throwing ground out of a trench 
 against the inside of the wall, to the thickness of 
 a few feet, this danger will be in some degree 
 averted, the trench may be either inside or outside; 
 but, inside, it will give the best protection to the 
 men. Of course a temporary intrenchment of this 
 nature would not be shot-proof; but, the splinters 
 would bury themselves, if the earth was some 
 three or four feet thick. 
 
 Stockade Work, 
 
 Stockade work is made with the rough trunks 
 of trees, cut into lengths of 12 or 14 feet, and from 
 10 to 15 inches in diameter. They are planted up- 
 right in a row, in a ditch about 3 feet deep, either 
 with intervals for firing through or close together, 
 with loop-holes cut through. In either case shorter 
 pieces are planted in the interstices to protect the 
 men. These pieces reach upwards 4 feet 6 inches 
 from the banquette, or, in other words, to loop-holes. 
 Stockades are, comparatively speaking, of little 
 use, if attacked by artillery. They should be cover- 
 ed as much as possible from the fire of that force. 
 
 It is always necessary to have the means on 
 
 hand of stopping up any breaches which might be 
 made in stockade work, by artillery fire. 
 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 49 
 
 a nar- 
 
 fire of 
 pence 
 when- 
 trench 
 ness of 
 degree 
 itside ; 
 to the 
 of this 
 >linter& 
 J some 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Obstructions. 
 
 trunks 
 d from 
 ed up- 
 either 
 gether, 
 shorter 
 ect the 
 inches 
 )-holes» 
 f little 
 ; cover- 
 force, 
 ans on 
 
 ight be 
 
 In front of temporary works of inconsiderable pro- 
 file, and which in themselves do not present any se- 
 rious obstacle to the assault of an enemy, it is abso- 
 lutely necessary to place some obstructions if it is 
 intended that the works shall be vigourously defend- 
 ed. Various expedients have been devised for this 
 purpose, some of which I will explain. The best 
 obstruction that can be hurriedly prepared is an 
 abattis, which is made by cutting down trees and 
 laying them side by side, with the tops outwards 
 and the branches interlaced as much as possible — 
 the small twigs should be cut off and the ends of 
 the branches sharpened. If the trees are small it is 
 necessary to fasten them, to prevent the enemy 
 pulling them out, and making openings through 
 them. This is done in various ways. Sometimes 
 stakes are driven among them rather thickly, or 
 heavy logs are laid across their but ends, or the buts 
 buried in a small ditch. If the trees are very large 
 so as not to be liable to be moved easily, these pre- 
 cautions are not necessary. If trees and brushwood 
 stand pretty thick in front of the line, a breadth of 
 some 30 yards just slashed down without being 
 placed in any order will make a most serious 
 obstacle to an attacking force. 
 
 Colonel DeSalabery, with a small number of 
 Canadian Voltigeurs, repelled the advance of an 
 American Army on the line of the Chateauguay 
 river in 1813, by forming a strong abattis by felling 
 trees towards the enemy. 
 
 In the forests of this country the tops might be 
 
50 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 \1 
 
 thrown down in this way, and by cutting off the 
 trunks in lengths they might be formed into breast- 
 works, by being roiled into continuous log heaps, 
 while the tops of the trees, laying as they lell would 
 form the abattis, in front of them : this could be 
 adopted with great efl'ect in occupying the border 
 of a wood with a picquet, as is mentioned in a for- 
 mer page of this work. Stumps large enough to 
 afford cover to a man, should be cut as close to the 
 ground as possible : the small ones, should be cut 
 4 or 5 feet from the ground and left as a sort of 
 obstruction. 
 
 Palisades form a very good obstruction. When 
 not exposed to artillery fire, they are planted in a 
 ditch about 2 or 3 feet deep with the ends nailed to 
 a piece of timber laid along the bottom : this is to 
 prevent them being pulled out. The palisades are 
 made of trunks of young trees or saplings about 6 
 inches in diameter, and should rise about 7 feet 
 above the ground : in this country the ordinary 
 fence rails would serve the purpose well. A cross 
 piece should be nailed to them near the top : they 
 should be placed as open as possible, witiiout al- 
 lowing an enemy to get through. Care must be 
 taken not to have them so close as to afford a pro- 
 tection to an opposing force. If these palisades 
 were planted, leaning a little towards the enemy, 
 they would be all the more difficult to get over. 
 
 Chevaux de frise are used more in permanent 
 fortifications than in temporary works, such as I 
 am treating of. They are made of iron or wood 
 They consist of a horizontal beam with stakes run- 
 ning through them at right angles and projecting 
 some two or three feet. They are usually fixed 
 on the glacis of permanent fortifications to check a 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 51 
 
 Tthe 
 reast- 
 eaps, 
 /^ould 
 d be 
 order 
 a for- 
 gh to 
 lo the 
 )e cut 
 ort of 
 
 When 
 i in a 
 led to 
 3 is to 
 OS are 
 [)out 6 
 7 feet 
 linary 
 
 cross 
 : they 
 nt al- 
 
 St be 
 a pro- 
 
 sades 
 
 lemy, 
 er. 
 
 anent 
 1 as I 
 wood 
 s run- 
 jcting 
 fixed 
 leck a 
 
 storming party and throw it into confusion. Short 
 pieces of chevaiix de frise are, however, sometimes 
 very useful in temporary fortifications, for the pur- 
 pose of stopping up outlets through barricades or 
 for doorways. If required, rough temporary pie- 
 ces can easily be provided out of a few rails or 
 pieces of scantling. 
 
 If a number of stakes are driven into the ground 
 firmly, they are not easily passed over in close or- 
 der. Holes about three feet deep, and the snme 
 diameter, and the earth piled in small heaps, will 
 also have a material effect on rapid regular move- 
 ments. 
 
 In fact, it must always be remembered, that 
 I whatever will cramp and impede the advance of a 
 column and detain it under close fire, for no matter 
 how short a period, is worth having, and ought not 
 to be neglected. Even a cabbage garden is better 
 than a bowling-green, where the assaulting column 
 could come up at a full run. 
 
 If time were an object, which we must always 
 assume, and we had plenty of men, the work 
 should be laid out in separate portions, so as to 
 have the men in n position to work to the best ad- 
 vantage without interfering with each other. 
 
 Tn front of a barricade in a street or defile, a pile 
 of furniture, loosely thrown together, such as chairs, 
 tables, &c., and wheelbarrows and waggons ove^ 
 turned, w^ould make a very awkward obstacle to 
 surmount. 
 
52 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Defence of Buildings, 
 
 If a building forms part of a general line of de- 
 fence, the front or the front and sides only may be 
 required to be placed in a state ol defence. But if 
 it is an independent post, which it is necessary 
 should be defended to the last extremity, every 
 point must be equally looked to, the means of re- 
 treat, and of re-enforcing it being preserved if pos- 
 sible. 
 
 Churches, factories, prisons, and country houses, 
 or any substantial building may be used for de- 
 fensive purposes, but it is necessary if possible — 
 
 1st. That the building should command all posi- 
 tions in its neighborhood. 
 
 2nd. That it should be substantial, with suitable 
 materials for defence, and have walls or projee^ 
 tions that flank each other. 
 
 3rd. That its size should be in proportion to the 
 number of men available for its defence. 
 
 4th. That it should be in a suitable situation for 
 the object for which it is to be held and difficult of 
 access while having a safe retreat. 
 
 It is almost impossible to find a building which 
 will fill all these qualifications; but, nevertheless, 
 these points should always be considered in choos- 
 ing a building to place in a state of defence. 
 
 It is also to be remembered that though good 
 strong walls are an advantage, yet, against mus- 
 ketry alone they ought not to exceed 2 or 3 feet in 
 thickness, on account of the difficulty of piercing 
 loop-holes through them. Of course, if artillery is 
 likely to be brought against them, the heavier and 
 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 63 
 
 )fde- 
 lybe 
 But if 
 ssary 
 every 
 of le- 
 f pos- 
 
 mses, 
 )r de- 
 ible— 
 
 [ posi- 
 
 itable 
 rojee^ 
 
 to the 
 
 on for 
 3ul.t of 
 
 which 
 leless, 
 choos- 
 
 good 
 t mus- 
 feet in 
 ercing 
 lery is 
 er and 
 
 stronger the walls are the better, and in this case 
 no loop-holes should be made, but the musketry 
 should be confined to the windows. Brick houses 
 and brick garden walls are better for all purposes 
 than stone ; they are much easier pierced with 
 loop-holes, and if exposed to artillery fire a round 
 shot, merely breaks a small hole in the former, 
 while in the latter the stone is broken up and large 
 splinters fly from it in every direction, making it 
 very dangerous to the defenders. Wooden houses 
 do not aftbrd protection against musketry or artil- 
 lery, and can easily be set on fire. They, there- 
 fore, are of little or no use for defensive purposes, 
 and should be avoided if possible. Thatched 
 houses are also objectionable for fear of fire, and 
 should be unroofed to prevent this danger. 
 
 Earthen works are preferable to houses when 
 exposed to artillery fire, but they are not so defen- 
 sible. An enemy cannot run his troops into a 
 house, while sometimes earthen works are subject 
 to intrusions of that character. A house inside of 
 earthen works can often be very useful as a sort of 
 keep, for the garrison to take refuge in, if the outer 
 line is taken. 
 
 As a rough estimate of the number of men re- 
 quired for the defence of a house, it may be consi- 
 dered that one man to every 4 feet of wall around 
 the interior of the lower story, one man to every 
 6 feet of the second story, and in the upper story 
 or attic one man to every 8 feet would be quite 
 sufficient with a reserve of about one sixth of the 
 whole. 
 
 In preparing for the defence of a house and out- 
 buildings, if there is any doubt about having 
 sufficient time to complete the whole defences, 
 
 
 
54 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS^ 
 
 the most defensible points should be at once put 
 in a condition to repel an immediate attack. 
 
 The defences in a case of this kind, should be 
 executed in the following order. 
 
 1. Materials should be collected to barricade 
 the doors and windows on the ground floor, such 
 as boxes, casks, cart bodies, cinders, stones, brick, 
 timber, &c., the doors and windows should be 
 barricaded with these materials as soon as collect- 
 ed, and loop-holes made in them, and any ob- 
 struction outside which would give cover to an 
 enemy should be levelled. The doors can be 
 barricaded by placing the casks and boxes filled 
 with cinders, rubbish, &c., against them to the 
 height oi 6 feet and loop-holes pierced through the 
 door above ; or the door- way could be bricked up 
 loosely with loop-holes arranged, or timber could 
 be built across the passage. If it is necessary to 
 have an opening for making sorties or for affecting 
 a retreat, the door itself could be made musket 
 proof by nailing several thickness of plank to it> 
 leaving it to open as usual and making arrange- 
 ment for fastening it up. 
 
 Windows do not require to Jbe barricaded so 
 strongly as doors, unless an entrance could be 
 effected through them. In barricading windows 
 the principal object is to screen the defenders 
 while firing through them. The windows should 
 be filled to the height of 6 feet from the floor 
 with any thing. musket proof. Loop holes-must of 
 course always be made, no matter wii?^ther the 
 windows are filled up with timber, sand bags, 
 carpets or blankets rolled up. If from want of 
 time or other circiamstances the windows could 
 not be blocked up, a great coat or blanket should 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 55 
 
 be hung across the window, the men fire under it 
 over the sill, kneeling on the floor to do so. The 
 glass should always be removed from windows 
 before an attack, as it is very liable to injure the 
 defenders when broken by musketry. 
 
 2. To sink ditches opposite the doors on the 
 outside and make loop-holes in the upper windows 
 — the ditches should be about 7 feet wide and 5 
 feet deep, and should be made also before the 
 windows if Ihe loop-holes are so low that an 
 enemy might reach them. 
 
 3. To make loop-holes through the walls if they 
 are not too thick, these loop-holes should be made 
 every three feet in the spaces between the windows. 
 Two tiers of them could sometimes be made. 
 Communications must next De made all around 
 the interior by breaking through the partitions and 
 party walls, taking care at the same time to have 
 the means to close these openings ready prepared. 
 Openings should also be made in the upper floor 
 to enable the men defending it, to fire down upon 
 the assailants if they force the first floor, and pre- 
 parations should be made for blocking up or 
 throwing down the staircase to prevent a pursuit 
 to the upper story. Balconies should be barricaded 
 in front, and openings made in the floor to enable 
 a fire to be directed downwards. 
 
 4. The next work to be done is to place abattis 
 or other obstructions on the outside, and improve 
 the defence of the house by the erection of tam- 
 bours, &c. The abattis should be placed about 20 
 or 30 yards from the house in the manner before men- 
 tioned. If the building has no wings, porches or 
 projections from which a flank fire can be obtained 
 it will be well to construct something of a tempor- 
 
56 
 
 DEFENCE or OUTPOSTS. 
 
 ary character. Stockade work is the most conven- 
 ient method of doing this. It may be made in the 
 shape of two sides of a triangle in front of a door 
 or window, It is made in accordance with the rules 
 I have before described for stockade work. If made 
 on the angle of the building a flank fire can be ob- 
 tained along two sides of the house. In all cases 
 there must be a means of communication from a 
 tambour into thf. house, with preparations made 
 for closing it up if necessary. 
 
 5. The next duty is to place the out-buildings, 
 garden walls, &c. in a defensible state ; which is 
 done by loop-holing the walls, digging ditches in 
 front, and placing abattis, &c., as I have already 
 explained; communications must of course be 
 opened between the different portions of the post. 
 An exterior wall parallel to the house and close to 
 it might be retained for the purposes of defence and 
 by sloping up the ground on the outside of it, or 
 laying abattis against it : the enemy could not use 
 it as a cover. 
 
 In arranging posts of this kind it is absolutely 
 necessary to make each portion so far independent 
 of the remaining portion, that if one part, a build- 
 ing for instance, should happen to be taken, the 
 rest would still be in a position to hold out, with- 
 out the loss materially affecting the defence they 
 could make by themselves. 
 
 It is almost incredible what a defence can be 
 made in a substantial house, well prepared with 
 resolute defenders. The siege of Saragossa in 
 1809 shows what can be done in defending streets 
 and houses ; while the defence of Hougomont 
 shows the importance of a post of the nature we 
 have been considering. 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 67 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Defence of Villages, 
 
 In arranging for the defence of a village it is 
 necessary that the general requisites which are re- 
 quired in a detached building or small post, should 
 be looked for in determining whether a village 
 is favorable for defensive purposes ; and whether 
 it offers facilities for executing the necessary works, 
 so that they can be completed in the time that can 
 be devoted to them. If possible there should be 
 some substantial buildings near the exterior, so 
 that they could be converted into ^strong salient 
 points of the general line. It is also necessary to 
 choose some building in the interior, such as a 
 church or prison which could be made into a 
 sort of citadel or keep. 
 
 It is sometimes only necessary to entrench vil- 
 lages on the front or on the front and flanks ; but a 
 village is often required to be enclosed all round. 
 
 If a village is to be held as an advanced post or 
 forms part of a general line in front of an army, so 
 that it can be instantly supported when attacked, 
 it will usually be left open to the rear, and be only 
 entrenched in the front. The first thing to be done 
 in a post of this nature would be to barricade at 
 once all the streets, roads and lanes on the front 
 and flanks of the exposed side on the same prin- 
 ciples which have been before mentioned with re- 
 ference to barricades. Men at once being detailed 
 for collecting materials of every description. Al- 
 most every article that can be carried can be of 
 some use, either for the barricades or for a species 
 of abattis or obstruction. 
 
68 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 In arranging a general plan a few substantial 
 building'3, not more than 150 or 200 yards apart, 
 should be selected for the salient points, and should 
 be at once prepared for defence on the principles al- 
 ready laid down for strengthening detached houses. 
 All buildings, walls, ditches, &c., lying between 
 these prominent points should be turned to account 
 in connecting these points with breastworks, stock- 
 ades, trenches, &c., bearing in mind the necessity 
 of so arranging these connecting lines as to bring 
 into play the principles of a flank defence, and at 
 the same time give a good direct fire. 
 
 All streets and roads open to attack should be 
 shut up by good barricades made in rear of the 
 temporary obstructions ; these can be made by 
 ditch and breastwork, or if artillery cannot be 
 brought to play, by stockade work. If time presses, 
 bales of goods, hogsheads of sugar, sacks of corn, 
 or even rolls of cloth, from a tailor's shop, would 
 be very useful for these warlike purposes if they 
 could be obtained. 
 
 In the depth of winter, in this country, a breast- 
 work made of snow, sloped outwards, well soaked 
 with water and allowed to freeze, would be mus- 
 ket proof, and would be a slippery breastwork to 
 climb over. The mounds of ice on the lake shore 
 were used with great effect, by the rebels at 
 Point au Pelee on Lake Erie, during the rebellion. 
 
 These of course would only be useful in cold 
 weather, when the ground could not be worked ; 
 but, it must be remembered that a day or two of 
 thawing weather, would quickly make them but a 
 delusion and a snare. 
 
 It is advisable, in streets, to build several bar- 
 ricades, to be disputed in succession, and if this is 
 
 seco 
 fall 
 
 T 
 
 a vi 
 tach 
 entr( 
 abo\ 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 59 
 
 is done, the means of retreat must be secured 
 through them. The houses flanking the barricades, 
 must of course be loop-holed, to enable a flank fire 
 to be directed on an enemy attacking the barri- 
 cade. 
 
 It is necessary to destroy all houses in front of 
 the defences, to level all fences, and fill up all 
 ditches, which run parallel to the line of defence, 
 and which could be used by the enemy as a cover 
 in moving up the attack. All fences running at 
 right-angles to the general line, and which can be 
 seen, should be preserved, they would interfere 
 with the flank movements of an attacking force^ 
 and therefore tend to embarrass his approach. 
 
 On the inside of the line of defence the reverse 
 course should be followed. The fences perpen- 
 dicular to the line should be leveled to give free 
 communication from one end of the entrenchment 
 to the other, while the parallel fences and ditches, 
 if left, might in case of retreat be made use of to 
 cover the retreat or to make a further defence. In 
 all cases, however, it is necessary to open roads 
 through these fences and over these ditches, not 
 only for the purpose of enabling supports to be 
 rapidly thrown forward, but also to allow of the 
 safe retreat of the defenders, especially the artillery, 
 if any are employed in the defence. 
 
 If time permits it is very important to have a 
 second or even a third line of defence prepared to 
 fall back on in case of defeat on the first line. 
 
 The above considerations refer to the defence of 
 a village open to the rear. If the village is a de- 
 tached post to be defended to the last, it must be 
 entrenched on exactly the same principle as in the 
 above case with the sole difference that it must be 
 
60 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 enclosed all around, and, if possible, some strong 
 building, such as a jail or church must be found 
 and placed in a state of defence, and supplied with 
 provisions, ammunition, &c., into which the de- 
 fenders might retire if driven in by an overpower- 
 ing force. 
 
 This citadel or keep should have free commu- 
 nication with all the outworks, if possible, it should 
 be covered from artillery fire and should command 
 the principal roads. Any walls or out buildings sur- 
 rounding the building selected as a keep, should be 
 strengthened as outworks so as to make the whole 
 an independent post. These outworks would cover 
 the retreat of the defenders, when driven in from 
 the outer defences, especially if held in good order 
 by the reserve. Sometimes it might be necessary to 
 strengthen two or more buildings as keeps, but this 
 depends so entirely on circumstances, on the 
 number of men on the position, and strength of the 
 buildings, &c. that no positive rules can be laid 
 down, the officer in command must make the best 
 use of the materials at his command, keeping in 
 mind the general principles of defence. 
 
 ' 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Defence of Bridges, 
 
 The defence of a bridge is likely continually to 
 be necessary on service, and the most important 
 results may very often depend on successfully dis- 
 puting the passage of a bridge, especially on the 
 retreat of an army ; and consequently, the prepar- 
 
DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 61 
 
 alions are often of very considerable extent and 
 respectable strength, often partaking of the char- 
 acter of permanent fortifications; as for example, 
 the fortifications between Arlington Heights and 
 Washington, covering the bridges across the Poto- 
 mac. 
 
 On outpost duty, however, it may often occur 
 that an officer of a picquet may find himself placed 
 in charge of a bridge, where the whole responsi- 
 bility of preparing for the defence as well as the 
 holding of it may depend entirely on himseif. 
 
 In deciding on the general plan for the defence 
 of a bridge, a great deal depends on the circum- 
 stances that affect it, and the object for which it is 
 to be defended. If troops are to retire over the 
 bridge, in the presence of superior forces, the de- 
 fensive works should be made to the front of the 
 works, for covering the retreat, and also to ensure 
 its being held until the passage has been effected ; 
 other works might also be made in the rear of it 
 for giving support, and for prolongingthe resistance. 
 If the protection of the bridge itself, was neces- 
 sary, the same plan would be adopted. But, if 
 the object of the defence was merely to dispute the 
 passage, in order to cover a flank march, or for any 
 other purpose, when it could not be destroyed, or 
 it was desirable to preserve it, it would not be so 
 necessary to erect works in front of the bridge ; 
 and, in all probability, the object would be better 
 attained by placing the principal works for the de- 
 fence in rear of the bridge, which is obviously the 
 most advantageous position for purely defensive 
 purposes. 
 
 In laying out the defences in rear of a bridge, 
 it must be borne in mind that the bridge aflibrds 
 
62 
 
 DEFENCE OF OUTPOSTS. 
 
 the only accessible point of attack, the works 
 should therefore be planned, so that the whole fife 
 can be ( ncentrated upon it. 
 
 It would be necessary in works of this nature to 
 guard against an enfilade fire of either artillery or 
 infantry. This would be effected either by so dis- 
 posing the lines that their prolongations would fall 
 on such places on the other side of the river as 
 were inaccessible to guns ; or, if that could not be 
 done, it would be necessary to erect substantial 
 high traverses at the extremities, and at intervals 
 along the line subject to an enfilade fire. These 
 traverses may be merely short portions of breast- 
 work standing perpendicular to the general line. 
 
 These breastworks are made in the same way, 
 with the same materials, and on the same princi- 
 ples as has been before mentioned, in treating of 
 entrenchments, breastworks, stockades, &c. 
 
 A strong barricade ought always be made across 
 the rear end of the bridge, and if the roadway of 
 the bridge be composed of planks, they should be 
 taken up and piled away carefully, if not used to 
 make the breastwork. If the bridge is built of 
 stone, with stone guards or parapets, they should 
 be levelled to the road way, the materials would 
 be useful in making breastworks and barricades, 
 and by removing them it exposes an enemy endea- 
 voring to cross to the flank fire of the defences in 
 rear of the bridge. 
 
 The duty of watching a ford v/ith a view to dis- 
 pute any attempt of an enemy to avail himself of it 
 would be fulfilled in following out the same prin- 
 ciples, as far as they could be made applicable. 
 
 Tbo defence however would in almost all cases 
 be made from the safe side of the river, for the ford 
 
 w 
 or 
 
 na 
 a : 
 in( 
 of 
 fui 
 
 WJ 
 
 re] 
 
DEFIUiV';^: or OUTPOSTS. 
 
 63 
 
 would probably be in itself something of an obstacle 
 or present at least the facility of creating one. In a 
 narrow river a little obstruction might raise the water 
 a few inches, and even that is worth having ; a few 
 inches might make the difference of wetting pouches 
 of the assailants or of creating a little more con- 
 fusion. A few trees felled into a ford or below it 
 with stray rubbish gates, hurdles, &c. would soon 
 render a ford impassable or almost so. 
 
 LOYELL (b GIBSON, PaiNTBES, 67 YONGB STaBET.