The bombardier, and pocket gunnerAdye, Ralph Willett
History
The bombardier, and pocket gunner
Adye, Ralph Willett
Artillery -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.; Artillery drill and tactics
14. _Bridges._—Remark their situation; their length and breadth; the
materials of which they are built; their strength, whether sufficient
to bear artillery: the roads leading to them: their situation, as
to the turnings of the river: their purpose; if to connect towns or
villages, the nature, direction, and breadth of the streets leading to
them. Observe the country around, whether flat or commanding: study the
best means of fortifying the bridge head; and observe the best and most
expeditious mode by which the bridge may be destroyed, if necessary.
15. _Mountains, Hills._—Amongst high mountains, such as the Alps, roads
are very rare; it is seldom more than the vallies that are inhabited
and accessible for troops: observe their slopes, if steep or rugged.
Examine the positions; means of gaining the summits; and note the state
of cultivation and general appearance of the vallies; the pasturage,
forage, cottages, villages, castles, roads, paths, and passes.
Distinguish the principal chains of hills and their direction. Their
relative heights; whether they are sufficiently extensive to form a
line of defence; their communications; their strong points; positions
proper for batteries, &c. Whether practicable for cavalry and artillery.
16. _Coasts._—Their nature; whether bordered by downs; surrounded by
rocks, which render their approach dangerous; or by shoals, which
make their access impracticable; note the points and headlands proper
for forts and batteries to defend the anchorage, ports, harbours, or
other accessible parts. If there are any adjacent isles, perhaps they
will serve for the erection of advanced batteries, to form a barrier
to the efforts of an enemy. Observe the nature of the shores, bays,
roads for shipping, &c. with the winds required to go in and out the
harbours; and whether they are of easy access: their advantages and
disadvantages, their size and depth of water. If a river empties
itself on the coast, observe the particular channel for shipping, and
whether it can be defended by any of the batteries. If the coast is
already fortified, observe all the batteries, forts, or intrenchments,
established for its defence, and the protection of the anchorage, _&c._
Examine the camps and other military posts, which cover the principal
points, and the interior of the country. Estimate all the dangers to
be run, and all the obstacles to be overcome in a descent, and point
out the means of augmenting them. Observe the time of the tide most
favourable for approaching the coast. Ascertain the number of artillery
and other troops constantly on the coast, and the force that can be
collected at a short notice; and how soon they can be drawn to any
particular point attacked. Examine the system of defence adopted, and
endeavour to improve it.
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