eight guns in a firing line-; the range was 3000 paces and the target was fired at with 12 shell and 20 shrapnel.

The target was distinctly visible from a standpoint lying about 50 paces to the side and front of the battery. From this point the line of direction leading to the target was marked out, and upon it a perpendicular erected by means of the angle prism. On the base line lying in front of the guns the auxiliary aiming points were defined and the concentration of the lines of fire was determined beforehand by means of the auxiliary cross arm.

A more extensive shooting problem which was solved after this method (the technical committee's), was the following:

The battery received the command to go into action on the brink (edge) of a deep ravine. The target (8 guns in a firing line) stood just beyond an undulation having a command of about six meters over the position of the battery. About 20 paces to the rear of the guns the target was distinctly visible; and it was fired at with 40 shell at a range of 1800 paces. The perpendicular to the direction line was erected at a point 20 paces behind the guns, and 10 paces to the left of the 8th gun.

The positions of the guns were marked out, and the concentration of lines of fire determined beforehand. Time occupied, from the command to the first shot, 10", to the range finding shots, 14"; and to the first shot, 22".

Result of hits.-On the line of the guns, 42 men by 245 fragments; on the line of limbers, 24 horses by 83 fragments.

When one considers the several methods which have been devised and which are herein described, he finds each of them a more or less complicated operation involving the use of numer ous auxiliary means and which therefore requires an instrument not particularly suited to the conditions of field service. All things considered Brilli's method deserves a certain preference, by reason of its rapidity of operation, on account of the ability to change the target, and because of the ability to shoot at objects in motion under the circumstances already mentioned. This method has also the priority by right of birth, since the Italian method as well as that of the technical military committee are based upon the same principle.

Finally one possesses in the angle prism a means sufficient in nearly all cases and always at hand when one is established in camp and must have recourse to an instrument. Neither Russia nor Germany have introduced anything of the kind, but Germany possesses in the Diopter Instrument (plane table)—an alidade instrument-a means for aiming directly on an auxiliary

point. In France they use the angle-mirror binocular instrument of Devé.

RESUME.

The report is concluded by the following epitome.

1. Indirect fire is to be considered an exception.

I.

2. Covered places should, therefore, not be sought out, and should be drawn into only when terrain and tactical circumstances make it necessary. This will occur (a) in defensive positions (places prepared beforehand against a definite point in the terrain which the enemy must pass); (b) when a weaker artillery in the presence of a stronger finds it necessary to change position under fire; (c) when an individual battery in an artillery mass must give itself up to such work because it can do no other.

3. Let us therefore be furnished with the means, in all cases, of using indirect fire whenever it may become necessary. These means should be of suitable proportions for use in the field, whatever the general method. If the correct applications of the rules of shooting be called an art," so much more does indirect " shooting deserve the name. Let the "art" however not degenerate into mere artificiality; as in tactics so also in the essentials of shooing the simplest is the best."

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It is moreover entirely settled, that indirect fire although it makes larger demands upon the fire management and service, will be frequently practiced and thoroughly studied on the proving grounds.

Indirect fire must constitute a factor in the development of a battery.

In the future the striking of the first blow in a battle will stand out as a greater advantage than ever before, and the full realization and utilization of the fire power at hand, will also be absolutely necessary. We will certainly in no phase of the action be able to do without the co-operation of the artillery.

[Translated by Second Lieutenant J. A. Shipton, First Artillery.]

Journal 24.

OF THE UNITED STATES.

III. NARRAGANSET BAY.
(Concluded).

Brigadier-General de Choisy, with a small body to garrison the defenses (600 French recruits and 1,000 local militia), was left at Newport when the French army marched from Rhode Island to Yorktown, Va., the field of glory of the allied forces. The departure soon after, August 25, 1781, of the French fleet with the heavy artillery and remaining troops to the Chesapeake, obliged the Assembly of Rhode Island further to provide for the defense of the state by mounting additional batteries at North and Brenton's Points, and by strengthening those at Pawtuxet, and Field and Kettle Points, to guard against any approach by Providence River. These were timely precautions, for Sir Henry Clinton had formed a plan to seize the French stores and magazines at Providence and probably to capture Admiral de Barras' fleet at Newport. Fortunately the expedition was accidentally delayed until the 28th, when the bird had flown, much to the chagrin of General Clinton and Admiral Graves, who had anticipated a certain conquest.

The capture at Yorktown, October 19, 1781, of the British army under Cornwallis, virtually terminated the war of the Revolution, and successful negotiations for peace soon followed. Consequently the garrison at Butts' Hill was disbanded in July, 1782.

The war had left the United States with a heavy debt, therefore all expenses were curtailed, particularly those for the military, no longer required. The whole force retained at the conclusion of peace amounted to less than seven hundred men, under command of General Knox; and even this miniature army, before the end of the session of Congress, was reduced to twenty-five men to guard the stores at Pittsburg, Pa., and fiftyfive for West Point, N. Y., and the other magazines-in all eighty

men.

Without garrisons, our military posts went rapidly to decay, including, of course, those at Newport which had been dismantled. However, by the Act of the Assembly of Rhode Island of October 4, 1784, the fort on Goat Island was armed, the barracks

repaired, and the work made to assume "some degree of respectability." It had borne the name of various British sovereigns during its colonial existence of three-quarters of a century; of "Liberty," pending the war of Independence; and, now, it was to assume the name of the illustrious Washington. From this work was probably fired the first salute announcing that Rhode Island, May 29, 1790, had finally joined the Union of the Thirteen United States, by her adoption of the Federal Constitution. Fort Washington,* in 1792, according to the inspection returns, had an armament of three twenty-four, five eighteen, and two six pounders, when the Assembly ordered the "purchase of a reasonable quantity of powder to be made use of at the said fort upon special occasions."

The first European Coalition was made against the French Republic in 1793. Soon, both England and France so grossly violated our neutrality upon the ocean that Congress, in 1794, ordered the building of six frigates; added a corps of artillerists and engineers to our small army; and made appropriations for fortifying our principal ports on the Atlantic Coast. The appropriation for Newport harbor was applied to the works on Goat Island (see plate VI), Bechat Rochefontaine, March 29, 1794, being appointed temporary engineer. He was soon succeeded by Stephen Rochefontaine, who, February 26, 1795, was made the Commandant of the newly organized corps of artillerists and engineers. The name of the latter, as the constructing engineer of the works on Goat Island, is still to be found, neatly cut, upon a stone (turned upside down) in the foundation of one of the new buildings at the Navy Torpedo Station. It is stated, in a report communicated, January 18, 1796, by the Secretary of War, to the United States Senate, that: "For the defense of Newport harbor there have been erected, on Goat Island, a fort, a citadel and an air-furnace. The excellency and importance of this harbor, in time of war, recommend a further expenditure to render the defense complete. To finish the fort, erect an artillery store, and make a covered-way round it, as in a regular fortification, the expense is estimated at about six thousand dollars. There have also been erected a citadel on Tomony Hill, back of the town of Newport, for the protection of its inhabitants, and a battery and guard-house at Howland's Ferry at the Northern end of the island, to keep open a communication with the Main, in case of an invasion. But, to secure effectually this communi

The name of "Washington" was given, October 4, 1784. by the Act of the Assembly of Rhode Island.

cation, a citadel should be erected on Butts' Hill, that position commanding Howland's Ferry and Bristol Ferry. The cost of it is estimated at 1,800 dollars."

France had continued her piratical aggressions upon our commerce, and our minister, sent to Paris, had been treated with contempt and indignity; yet, such was the strength of the Gallican feeling among our people, that, not till 1798 were vigorous measures adopted to protect the nation from further insult. The outrageous conduct of the French Directory towards our government; the efforts of their agents to sow sedition throughout our country; their acts to invigorate opposition to the constituted authorities; their disregard of the law of nations and of solemn treaties; their rebuffs of our repeated efforts to adjust differences; their attempts to bribe our envoys, failing which they were expelled from French soil; and their continued seizure of our merchantmen till our losses amounted to $15,000,000, could not fail to rouse the United States to resistance. Forbearance had reached its utmost limit, and at once preparations were instituted to maintain the dignity and honor of the nation. Important additions were made to our navy, and a separate department for its control created; a marine-corps established; many new regiments of infantry, troops of cavalry, and more artillerists and engineers added to our regular forces; a provisional army, with Washington at its head, authorized; liberal appropriations for fortifications granted; our treaties with France abrogated; our commerce with her suspended; and a quasi war instituted by legalizing the capture of her armed vessels, which resulted in several engagements with her cruisers.

With such a threatening aspect of affairs, and an ample justification for a declaration of war, the construction of the sea-coast fortifications was pressed forward with vigor. The importance of Narraganset Bay demanded that full provision should be made for the defense of its main entrance. Accordingly immediate measures were taken to repair and strengthen some of the old works, to rebuild others, and to add an entirely new one. All were placed under the supervision of Major Louis Tousard, who had succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Rochefontaine, when the latter, May 7, 1798, was dismissed from service. Tousard was born in France in 1749; lost an arm in the action of Butts' Hill, August 29, 1778, during the war of the Revolution; was commissioned a Major of Artillerists and Engineers, February 26, 1795; and was disbanded, January 1, 1802, upon the organization of the present Corps of Engineers created by the law of March 16,