BLOCKADE, in military tactics, is an operation for capturing an enemy's town or fortress, without a bombardment or regular siege. The attacking party throws up works on the neighboring heights and roads; these works may be redoubts, for 200 or 300 men each, raised around at distances of 1000 or 1500 yards asunder; or they may assume other forms, according to the circumstances of each case. The rest of the besieging force remains under cover in villages, or in a temporary camp, ready to repel any sorti6 attempted by the besieged. The whole purpose in view is to prevent the besieged from receiving supplies of any kind, in order that, when the food or the ammunition is exhausted, they may be compelled to surrender. Fortresses situated on steep and rocky eminences, difficult to conquer by bombardment or assault, may often be reduced by 13.; because the roads or paths for the reception of supplies are few, and can be watched by a small number of troops. Towns situated on a plain are less frequently invested. If
the inhabitants be numerous and commercial, they will soon be impatient of the restraint produced by a B., and may compel or induce the governor to adopt a plan opposed to his wishes as a soldier. If, however, a resistance be determined on, the governor sends out of the town as many non-combatants as possible; all the stores are collected ba bomb-proof receptacles; economy is observed iu the consumption of food; all the people within the walls are placed under military rules; and the governor endeavors, by fee quent sorties, to prevent the besiegers from making too close an investment of the place.
Blockading, in a naval sense, is the prevention of the entrance 'or exit of the enemy's ships at a particular port. It is sometimes resorted to as an auxiliary to military opera. tious by land; but generally is limited to a maritime investment.