The attack and defence of single forts are conducted in the same manner ; and the saliant angles are always chosen as the weakest points. Any single fort, however, is always to be taken by surprise, if possible, which is to he executed during the night. An open attack is always supported by ordnance, and commences only after sufficient breaches or openings have been made in the enemy's works.
Vigilance, some outposts, and frequent patroles, are the best defence against a surprise ; hut if it is expected, one half of the men must always be under arms.
Fortifications situated ou rivers may be attacked as de scribed above, but what relates to the manoeuvres and pre vious movements, will with greater propriety be introduc ed under the article TACTICS. A house or a small estate is most advantageously attacked by an howitzer or a piece of ordnance, as, if struck by a single shell, it will be forced to surrender. If such a house has no flanking defence, it may sometimes be set on fire. Perhaps a secret entrance, or ladders, may be of use, and are to be applied, if circum stances will permit. The defence of such a house may sometimes be kept lip very long. Even if the enemy has penetrated one part, he may be again repulsed if not very strong, or if his succours do not arrive in time.
An estate, or a church-yard, which has been fortified, may always be advantageously attacked by guns; and af ter an opening has been made, it may be carried by as sault. The defence or a fortified village requires more circumspection. All passages to it are to be taken pos session of, and sufficient posts and patroles are sent out, to prevent a surprise. All works are to be occupied only by detachments ; and the reserve must be near the princi pal work,. or stationed at such a place, that it may easily afford succour to any part. As soon as an alarm is given, all the works are properly occupied, and succours sent if necessary. The side of attack is to be discovered if pos sible, and particularly strengthened ; but other fronts are also not to be neglected. To prevent the force from being too much dispersed, it will therefore always be advisable ziot to occupy too large a circumference, but rather to be content with the defence of a strong post by a concentrated force. The attack of a village is generally made in two
or more parts, one being the real and the other a feigned attack. But before it is undertaken, every proper and ne cessary information respecting the works should be pro cured, either by spies, or by reconnoitring.
The infantry penetrates first, and are immediately fol lowed by the cavalry. This attack is in every respect the same as that of camps, already explained.
The defence of a country town may sometimes be kept up for a considerable time. As soon as its defence is re solved upon, a general place of alarm is chosen, all the streets arc ordered to be illuminated if the alarm is given at night, and no inhabitant is to appear at that time. The posts, guards, and sentinels, must be attentive, and pa troles are also to be sent round the town. In the day-time, posts arc placed before the gates at greater distances. No gates towards the country should be opened at night, until there has been a close examination and proper lights, lest the enemy should attempt a surprise ; and never should more than one man be allowed to enter at a time. If necessary, the inhabitants are to be disarmed. The soldiers are to be quartered in such a manner, that each may soon repair to his post, and to such works as he has to defend.
To prevent the enemy from approaching secretly, the surrounding country is to be surveyed, and every thing that may favour his approach is to be levelled. The gates should be barricadoed, and every one who goes out or en ters must be known by an inhabitant, who must be made answerable for his conduct. No assemblages of people are allowed, and particularly near the gates. If the ene my advances to the attack, no fire is to be opened upon him till it can be clone with effect. Should he penetrate at any part, a force must immediately be collected to op pose him, taking care always that a retreat be secured, even though a capitulation should be the consequence. The most advantageous mode of attack is by surprise, which is to be effected in the same way as the surprise of a fortress. The same applies to towns, and indeed to for tified places of all kinds.