confidence in the intrenchments constructed by himself, and he generally defends them with greater obstinacy.

The only objection that can be raised to this distribution of tools is that it overloads the soldier, who already carries in the field a weight of from 29 to 30 kilogrammes (64 to 66 lbs.'); but on the one hand, by using sheet steel very good shovels with short handles may be made, which weigh only 1 lb. 14 oz., and on the other hand it appears easy to reduce by so much the weight of accoutrements and kit, which average 44 lbs.

Short-handled tools require the digger to work on his knees. This is but a slight drawback when the work is of short duration, and it is even an advantage when it is being carried out under the enemy's fire, as a man offers in this way a smaller mark for bullets and grape.

In France long-handled pioneers' tools, weighing about 4 lbs., are carried in rear of regiments.

The following are the official regulations on this subject :'In the field a company of sappers, provided with tools which are constantly carried by the men, is attached to each Infantry division. There are 36 shovels and the same number of pickThis company has with it two waggons, called voitures de section, which contain between them, among other things, 94 round or square shovels and 38 pickaxes. Each division of Infantry has therefore 130 shovels and 74 pickaxes at its disposal.

axes.

'In addition to the divisional equipments each corps d'armée has a special store, containing 1,150 shovels and 542 pickaxes. 'Thus the total number of pioneers' tools at the disposal of a corps d'armée composed of three divisions is 1,540 shovels and

1 During the Italian campaign the French soldiers carried a weight of nearly 68 lbs., viz. :—

764 pickaxes. This is sufficient for the simultaneous construction of shelter-trenches capable of containing 4,560 men.' Should the general have only two hours to spare, it will often be in his power in that time to place a division under cover.'

2

Captain Richard of the Engineers proposes to give pioneers' tools to two companies per battalion, and to have them carried in turn by all the companies. This proposition is something like that of Rogniat, who wished to give pioneers' tools as a mark of distinction to two picked companies in each battalion.3

In our opinion, either all the soldiers should be furnished with tools weighing from 1 lb. 10 oz. to 2 lbs., or else the men in the front rank only should be provided with them.

In both cases the number of shovels should be double that of pickaxes.

Saws and axes would be given to the corporals, and they would be carried in leather cases, as would also the pioneers' tools.

Temporary works of fortification, other than shelter-trenches, would be executed by the Engineers.

Although the construction of batteries is the duty of the Artillery, who can demand for this purpose the assistance of part of the reserve, yet it will be necessary, in many cases, to make the Engineers assist in the construction of magazines, bombproofs, revetments, and other special works for which skilled workmen are required.

These troops are likewise very useful for completing intrenchments roughly thrown up by the Infantry.

If we take into account the importance of the works which

The principal depôt (grand parc) of the army, the control of which is in the hands of the commander-in-chief alone, comprises 4,700 shovels and 2,200 pickaxes. 2 Conférence sur le rôle de la fortification passagère dans les combats,' by Major Prévost of the Engineers.

3 If there were any fear of overloading the men of these two companies, a light two-horsed van, similar to the Engineers' voiture de section, would have to be attached to each battalion. In mountainous countries this van would be replaced by three pack-mules.

constitute the special occupation of Engineers, we shall find that in most Armies they are not numerous enough in proportion to the duties they are called upon to perform. The Duke of Wellington was of opinion that there could not be too many of them, since the sapper can act as Infantry whenever he has no works to construct for which he alone is sufficiently fitted.1

A good organisation would be to attach to each Infantry division an Engineer battalion of four companies, or one company per regiment.2

We think that it would also be advantageous to attach to each Cavalry division a troop of mounted Engineers, in order to destroy or re-establish communications, to form ambuscades, to intrench posts, &c., these operations being often performed by advanced or rear-guards, or when a body of Cavalry has to operate on the flanks of the enemy.

The proposal to give a pioneer's tool to each soldier has an importance on which it is needless to insist since the opinions expressed by Napoleon in his memoirs.

If this proposal had been acted on in his time, hasty intrenchments would have played an important part.

We will name only three instances in support of this opinion: In 1809 Napoleon might have completely intrenched the villages of Aspern and Esslingen, which supported the flanks of his position beyond the Danube. No doubt these villages, surrounded as they were by only some small mounds of earth,

1 The Engineers were employed in line at Balaklava and Inkerman. During the wars of the Republic and the Empire, they often took the place of Infantry for the defence of posts, têtes de pont, &c., and often fought by their side in advanced and rear-guards. In the campaign of 1870, their part was still more important and more varied, as may be seen by the reports of the Prussian generals.

2 In time of peace, the battalions of Engineers would form regiments, which would be broken up again only in case of war and during important manoeuvres at camps of instruction.

3 The War of Secession proved that it is often necessary, at great distances from the Army, to destroy a railway useful to the enemy, or to re-establish a line which he has cut.

D

made a very good defence, and saved the French Army, but what an amount of bloodshed would have been spared if powerful redoubts had protected the approaches to them!

The same reflection applies to the defence of Wachau and Probstheyda in the sanguinary battle of Leipzig. These two villages resisted to the last all the attacks of the Allies, but, in order to keep them, the French were obliged to retake them five times, and to sacrifice their best troops. If Napoleon had profited by the day of October 15 and the night of the 15th-16th to intrench them properly, the same result would have been arrived at with smaller losses.

1

At La Rothière, in 1814, the French Army had at its disposal the night of January 30-31st, the day of the 31st, and February I up to 2 o'clock in the afternoon. If, during this time, Napoleon had fortified Dienville on his right, La Rothière 1 in his centre, Chaumesnil on his left, and the hamlet La Gibrie in front of this wing, he would perhaps have held his position, in spite of the enormous numerical superiority of the Allies. In any case he would have lost fewer men, not only because intrenchments cover their defenders, but also because inhabited places so strengthened require a smaller force to occupy them.

2 Napoleon confined himself to having the houses of La Rothière occupied and to constructing barricades in the streets.

35

CHAPTER IV.

INTRENCHED FIELDS OF BATTLE.

SHELTER-TRENCHES, ambuscades, and batteries constitute a partial application only of the principles on which hasty defences are constructed. The subject comprises also

1. The placing of localities (such as villages, woods, defiles, isolated buildings) in a state of defence.

2. The construction of either open or closed works, intended to strengthen the important points of a field of battle.

3. The opening up of roads for the columns.

4. The establishment and destruction of bridges to assist either in the offence or the defence.

5. The turning to account of the ground in advance of the position, by the destruction of cover and by filling up excavations prejudicial to the defence.

As a rule, these works have to be carried out in the time which elapses between the end of a march and the commencement of an action, or before a battle which is to take place on the following morning.

The author who gave the earliest and best explanation of the conditions to be fulfilled by hasty intrenchments was General Rogniat.

'There is no doubt,' said he, 'that the intrenchments in use at the present day require too much time for their construction; they are seldom in a state of defence when they are wanted. Supposing an Army to arrive and encamp in presence of an enemy, and immediately to set to work to fortify its position,