1. Cross-section of a typical earthwork (thin line is ground level: A. Parapet; D. Counter Scarp of ditch; B. Berm; E. Glacis C. Scarp face of ditch; Often the ditch was dug about ten feet deep with the parapet being reinforced with logs, sandbags, and planks. The glacis was built up so that the attackers could not creep up under the musketry of the defenders.
2. Priest Cap or Swallow Tail Line (vertical view). This particular line plan was often used in conjunction with a straight line (a). Crossfires upon attacking troops were thus obtained from positions (a) and (b).
3. Square Redoubt (vertical view). Often such fortifications had their most exposed corners indented in order to provide a crossfire against attackers. A gap (d) was frequently left in this type of work for the defenders to counter-attack without struggling over a ditch and parapet.
4. Simple Redan (vertical view). Used like the Priest Cap to obtain crossfires from a straight line.
5. Indented Line or Cremaillere (vertical view). Good crossfires existed all up and down this line.
6. Two Redans (I and II), vertical view, joined by a simple Curtain (III). Such dispositions often allowed the defenders to sweep the ditches of the redan with musketry and canister, and provided crossfires as well.
7. and 8. Typical plans for Star Forts (vertical view). Star forts provided many excellent crossfires as shown, but they were difficult to construct and therefore rarely used.
9. Cross-section of an Abatis. Fallen trees were the first obstacle for the attackers to cross, then came several shallow ditches with sharpened stakes (S), and finally, two eight-foot-deep ditches with stakes (S) slowed the attacker to a painful crawl underfire.
10. Lunette, used like the redan, and Priest Cap for enfilading fire against attacking troops.
More ACW Rifle-Musket
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ACW: Introduction
ACW: Infantry
ACW: Infantry Tactics (Examples)
ACW: Cavalry
ACW: Artillery
ACW: Engineers
ACW: Entrenchments
ACW: Grand Tactics
ACW: Tactics: Auerstadt 1806 vs. New Market 1864
ACW: Conclusion and Bibliography
Back to Conflict Number 7 Table of Contents
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© Copyright 1974 by Dana Lombardy
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