Civil War Field Fortifications
Colonel Jebb on the Attack of Fortifications
A Transcription from
Jebb's Treatises on Attack and Defense, Part II
Practical Treatise on the Attack of Military Posts, Villages, Intrenchments, &c.
Fourth Edition
Pages 10 - 18
Published at London, England by William Clowes and Sons, 1859
Note: An irrelevant note by the author has been omitted.
5. The Dispositions for the attack, of whatever nature it may be, though they require to be made with great circumspection and executed with the utmost celerity, decision and effect, do not perhaps call for so many precautions as are necessary for the Defence of a Work. It is with the Assailants to choose what they will do; with the Defenders, -- on very short notice, to conform and make the best of it. The first object of an Attack is to get at, the people who are defending a Work, and then -- to beat them. To secure the former, a Commander would naturally seek for a point which presented the fewest Obstacles, and when he saw where to strike the Blow, he would accomplish the latter, by hitting "uncommon hard;" so hard as to make his Adversary reel under it, if it did not knock him head over heels, and get rid of him altogether. These main objects being kept in view, everything that would conduce to secure them must be studied and carried into effect. He would therefore arrange his plan with the utmost Caution, and would execute it with corresponding Vigour. It will be obvious, that where it is practicable, several real Attacks, or one Leviathan, and several false ones, will distract an Enemy's attention, -- divide his forces, -- tend to disturb him and shake his confidence, -- render his combinations more perplexing, and in short give him more to attend to, with diminished means of doing it, than if one attack only were made. It is usual, therefore, where circumstances permit, to attack several points at the same moment, or in quick succession. To effect this the Columns are formed under the nearest cover that can be found, from which they advance with as much celerity, as will leave the Men fresh and in wind when they get to work. To regulate even this properly is a point of no small importance. For instance, if a Column has any considerable distance to move, in the face of a smart peppering fire, and they start at too great a pace, they may be brought to a stand still, before they can close with their opponents, and that too when the fire upon them, from its diminished distance, is the more deadly. The means of moving powerfully and swiftly at the last, must be preserved at all events; besides all its other good effects, it is enlivening to go in "at a slapping pace." This forward movement is covered by Light Infantry, who would halt on the outside of the Ditch, or other Obstacle, and whilst the Column was engaged in getting over it, would endeavor by good steady shooting, to aid the operation in keeping down the Enemy's Fire, or putting "a stopper over all," or any overt acts of the opposition on the part of the Defenders. No dancing about on the top of a parapet allowed! It would be a weak proceeding to permit any of the men in the Column to amuse themselves by Firing; and, to prevent disappointment, it might be explained that they have much more serious business to attend to with the Bayonet, and till that is done, they should think of nothing else. Any little decided leisure, might be so employed by a few of the leading Files being disposed in front for that purpose, whilst the others were lying down to cover themselves; but the main point should never be lost sight of; no Time should be wasted upon it, for the Assailants and Defenders, under such circumstances, are far from being on equal terms; the former being exposed from top to toe all in the open, and the latter at the worst would be covered up to their chins.
6. Each Column designed for making an Attack is usually divided into Two parts, the relative strength of which must be determined by the nature of the Operation, -- the number of the Defenders, -- and a train of probabilities too long to be enumerated here. One party is for Storming the Work, and the other is placed in Reserve, to be applied as events turn out, either to assist in following up and taking advantage of success, or as "a friend in need" to fall back upon in case of disaster. The former of these Parties may be again subdivided into two or more parts; one for the first Onset, and the others for Support; but this should be more nominal than real. The Question is, shall we send the whole Storming Party on in one Mass, or shall we first start it in separate Detachments, and then let it finish as one Mass? We require the Moral as well as the Physical effect which Numbers will produce, in order to penetrate the Enemy's line; but if we can secure those essentials when wanted, it does not appear necessary to expose the Support or the Tail of the Column, whilst any work is going on which the Head of it, or the real Storming Party can effect just as well by itself. For instance, there would be little good gained by a vast Body of Men being halted under a close Fire, whilst Workmen were engaged in cutting a Road for them through Palisades or an Abattis, or whilst the leading Files were rearing Ladders for an Escalade, &c. The Moral effect and Confidence produced by Numbers, which it is most essential to study, would be still retained if the Head of a Column could feel assured that it travelled with its Tail on, though it could not see it, and that however fast the one might move, the other would be certain to follow; and the Physical effect or Force that is required for an Onset, would be equally secured by the same means. Numbers are in either case the chief ingredient; the only thing to be considered is, the proper application of them. This is confessedly rather a nice point to manage, and such as it is more easy to theorise upon than to carry into effect; but if Troops are handy, and are accustomed to work together, and to be sure of each other "in sight and out of sight," and that their Efforts are directed by the hand of a Master, there does not appear to be any impossibilities attending its adjustment; at any rate the Principle, if true, is not falsified because the Practice is difficult. "When in doubt," however, "win the trick," says Hoyle; if therefore, Men and Means are dubious, Measures should be of an opposite character: the lesser evil would be unquestionably to make sure of it, and start One Column, preceded by an advanced party of proportionate strength, rather than run the chance of Two, or more, not acting simultaneously. In Night Attacks, for example, it is especially necessary that all the arrangements should be the simplest possible, -- and under such circumstances an undivided force would be preferable to risking a mistake being made in the administration of separate parts of it. Give them the whole Dose at once, taking care, as Morrison would say of his Pills, to let them have enough.
7. In carrying out the Principle of the Storming Party and its Support marching separately, we ought to find that as the leading Files of the former become engaged, or as the Explosion took place which was to blow the Barrier to atoms, by which they were to enter a Work, the Supporting Column should be close at their heels, -- to add their Weight to the first Shock, -- to inspire Confidence, -- join in the Cheers, and be at hand to rectify anything that might happen to go wrong. These little delicacies cannot be brought within the precise limits of any Rule which shall be of general application, whether as respects Distance, or Time or Pace, or anything else. It is the Commander who has the right kind of Head on his Shoulders, and an Eye that is good for something in it, -- who can alone apply the Principle, and regulate them on the spot. As an illustration which will be understood by a select few, we should say the Support should be like a man's Second Horse, in a quickish thing with Foxhounds, that has lasted as long as is pleasant. By some Rule which only the few know by heart, it should be brought up quite Fresh, as if nothing had happened, and be exactly in the right place at the particular moment when it is required. One more explanatory illustration, and this digression int[o] which we have inadvertently been betrayed, ends. It takes "all sorts" of men and comprehensions to make up a World, and a homely Simile may sometimes convey an idea more forcibly than a rounded Period. We now address those who know how to use their Fists, as well as other things -- the Privates who fill the ranks of our army; for they too ought to understand what they have to trust to, seeing they have rather a conspicuous part to play. The Storming Party is your Left Hand, the Support is your Right, and your Adversary is before you; you are not going to touch the "Light Guitar," but to knock him over. Therefore get your fingers into Close Column, -- hit him straight in the Face with your left fist, and double him up with your right. Do you understand that? Yes! Then when you have an opportunity practice it, and don't be ashamed to hit as hard as you can when you are about it!
8. Troops aided by Musketry in the manner adverted to in No. 5, would plant Ladders for Escalading; Sappers would cut away Palisades, blow open Barriers or Gates, make steps in Slopes that were too steep to be ascended, or clear away impediments; and a steady Charge would then take place: not one man running at the top of his speed with his Bayonet at a fellows breech, and another after him; that is not the way to get rid of a set of resolute Fellows. It must be a steady Charge, or rather a quiet determined Rush; the whole Weight of the Column is wanted to make the desired impression in the Adversary's Line, and if it is frittered away bit by bit, much of the effect is expended in individual acts of Heroism, which might be more usefully employed. Where several Attacks are made, the Columns may as well all march on the same Front, of sub-divisions, or a greater or less formation as might be convenient, --it will make it more difficult for an enemy to estimate numbers, or distinguish the Real from the False attacks; and the latter should look and act as if they intended Mischief, however innocent their designs may be. They should also be of such a Strength as to command respect, and in order that they may be in a condition to profit by unforeseen success; the number of attacks should therefore be in proportion to the Force that is to be divided. How frequently has it happened, that a False Attack, which would have been considered as too rash and hazardous an Enterprise to be thought of seriously for a moment, has been crowned with a success which has equally astonished Friends and Foes; whilst others, which have been judiciously planned and organized, have altogether failed?
9. It is explained further on, in No. 23, that the "top o' the morning" is not a bad time for making an Assault; this is chiefly because the previous movements are concealed by the darkness, and the loss is diminished in proportion. For instance, under favorable circumstances, it would be quite possible, after driving in an Enemy's Picquets the preceding evening, secretly to dispose a Firing Party close to the Ditch on the outside of a Work, without a hostile shot being fired, for they are not always prepared for illuminating the exterior by Light balls, and to have a Column at no great distance waiting for the precise moment that was most favorable for the Attack; and when the Troops did advance for an Escalade, or whatever the operation might be, -- what would happen? The Alarm would be given, and the Parapets would be manned; but opposed by a Firing Party, drawn up perhaps 3 deep within a distance, it might be of 20 or 30 yards, -- who could show himself to give his fire? Let us see the man that would be long "in easy circumstances" with his head and shoulders above the Parapet! If Sandbags had been disposed for protecting the Defenders, a few might be fired through the Loopholes, but their effect would be as nothing. Only those directly opposite a Column could be brought to bear at all that distance, and with good arrangements there would be no Time for Mischief to ensue, even if there were more opportunity. An Attack thus favored therefore, would secure to the Assailants most of the advantages of a Surprise, and is intermediate between a case of amazement, and one of open hostility.
10. Circumstances, however, will arise as stated in No. 40, when an undisguised Attack in broad daylight may be imposed, and like most other things in this life, it has some advantages to boast of, though they may be counterbalanced by a preponderance of Evils greater than attend more insidious proceedings. There is, of course, more previous Exposure, but people See what they have to do, and can therefore act with more decisive effect. In the preparatory movements, and during the advance of the Columns, Violence must, in this mode of attack, control Opposition, instead of its effects being eluded by Secrecy or Concealment. The employment of Light Troops and Artillery are the chief means which may be applied by the Assailants for effecting this object; the Former can act as a Firing Party under any circumstances in covering the advance, but it is quite necessary there should be light enough in order to derive all the benefits which the latter can bestow. Artillery can effect that from a distance, which without it, Infantry would have to execute for themselves, under all the disadvantages of a close fire. Thus, by firing in a slanting direction at Stockade Work, -- an Abattis, -- or Palisading, these Obstacles become so damaged and torn up, that a Passage improved by the use of the axe, is readily effected through them; Barriers may be knocked away from Doors or Windows; Walls may be breached, or the Defenders in a Building may be very much incommoded by its effects -- for shot will go through and through ordinary Houses, and if a lively fire be kept up, they cease to be comfortable quarters. By firing shells into Parapets, that portion which covers the Defenders may, if time admits, be partially got rid of; and when all these things are effected from the Front, the Guns being moved to one of the Flanks, so as to obtain a general Enfilade, may keep up a fire till the moment of Assault, which will unsettle the Defenders, and ensure a corresponding advantage to the Attack: in fact, it is difficult to say what a Brigade of Horse Artillery or a Battery of 9-pounders cannot do against a Military Post fortified in haste, or indeed against anything else. With an overwhelming Force, backed by a powerful Artillery, it would be out of place to be so particular: a Victim would be well pounded from a distance, and then being attacked on all sides, the Defenders would not have much more to say for themselves: with a Force however only just adequate to the object, more caution, but equal boldness, would influence the proceedings.
Mahan's Principles Dufour Duparcq Halleck Regulations Barnard Mahan-2
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