Terms Use in Describing Fortifications

Lanford, C.

In fortifications, a device by which men are able to deliver their fire over the parapet. It is made just high enough above the tereplein to allow men of medium stature to fire over the interior crest. The distance of the tread below the crest is taken, for this purpose at four feet six inches; sometimes it is taken three inches less or four feet and a quarter. The width of the tread depends upon the number of ranks expected to occupy it. In the days of the smooth bores and muzzle loading muskets it was made wide enough for two ranks. A width of two feet is sufficient for one rank. It is usually made three feet wide in ordinary field fortifications. The tread is made with a slope to the read, to allow the water falling on it to drain off. It is connected with the terreplein either by a slope or by steps. The inclination of the former is usually .5; it may be greater if the banquette is low. The ram or inclined slope is preferred to steps.