The bombardier, and pocket gunnerAdye, Ralph Willett
History
The bombardier, and pocket gunner
Adye, Ralph Willett
Artillery -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.; Artillery drill and tactics
4. _Springs and Wells._—Attend to the quality and quantity of the
water; whether it will serve for the cavalry, as well as infantry, and
the manner of its being drawn. Observe the situation of the spring, and
of its source, whether it can be protected, and the enemy prevented
from cutting it off.
5. _Lakes, Marshes, and Swamps._—Learn their cause; if arising from
a moist soil, the overflowings of rivers or from springs. Observe
their situation, and the appearance of the surrounding country; the
best means of crossing them. If they are divided by causeways, notice
their breadth and condition; if not, remark if causeways can be easily
established, and whether the swamp can be drained, and whether it is
passable at any season of the year. Observe the points from which the
causeways can be defended against the passage of an enemy’s column.
Learn whether or not the swamps are subject to fogs; and at what
seasons they are most hurtful.
6. _Of Woods and Forests._—Remark their extent; their situation; their
thickness; whether the trees are lofty or low; whether there is much
underwood. Observe if the different clumps form openings or passes;
and their extent; whether their sides are formed of thick wood or
brush; whether their breadth is uniform, or widens at particular parts.
Remark whether the ground of the forest be level or hilly, swampy or
dry. Observe the nature and condition of the roads (for remarks to be
made on these, see the article _Roads_;) observe also the means the
forest affords of intrenching; of making fascines, abbatis, &c. Attend
to the face of the country round the forest, whether cultivated fields
or meadows: whether it affords positions; is intersected by rivulets,
swamps or ravines.
Remark the castles, villages, towns, &c. in the neighbourhood; and
their distance from the skirts of the wood.
Go round the wood and examine its principal débouchés; observe the
ravines, rivulets, roads, &c. issuing from it, and learn their
direction.
7. _Heaths._—Notice for what nature of troops they are best calculated.
The nature of hedges and brush wood; some form a good breast work.
Observe the directions of the rivulets, roads, and ravines. When the
ground of a heath is of the common colour, the roads are usually good:
but when it is blackish and mixed with white sand, the roads are
generally impassable in winter seasons.
8. _Canals._—For this article see also the observations on _Rivers_.
Observe their intention; the nature of the soil in which they are dug,
their breadth and depth; their locks; the craft found upon them; the
best means of protecting or destroying them: learn the countries they
pass through.
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