Dictionary of Fortification

The Civil War Field Fortifications Website Fortification Library provides a miscellaneous selection of scanned nineteenth century texts concerning Field Fortification, Military Engineering in general, the Art and Science of War, and other useful subjects that are intended as a primer for those more or less interested in pursuing a more thorough study of these matters. No public resources are consumed in the production of these digitized texts; all original texts used in the production of these digitized texts are in the public domain under the copyright laws of the United States of America. All digitized texts appear in the Fortification Library courtesy of the owner/s of the original printed texts.

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Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Framed From Contributions Of Officers Of The Different Services, And Edited By A Committee Of The Corps Of Royal Engineers In Dublin, 1845. Part A. B. C. Sketch Of The Art And Science Of War. Abattis - Contours. With Eighty-Nine Plates And Numerous Woodcuts. Volume I, Part I. London: John Weale, 1845. iv, 230 (1 - 230), Publisher's Catalogue. Plates and Illustrations in Text.

Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Framed From Contributions Of Officers Of The Different Services, And Edited By A Committee Of The Corps Of Royal Engineers In Dublin, 1846. Part D. E. F. Dam - Ford. With Numerous Plates And Woodcuts. Volume I, Part II. London: John Weale, 1846. iv, 314 (321 - 545), Plates and Illustrations in Text.

Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Framed From Contributions Of Officers Of The Different Services, And Edited By A Committee Of The Corps Of Royal Engineers, 1848. Part I, Vol. II. Comprising F. G. H. I. K. L. M. Fortification - Marine Artillery. With Numerous Plates And Woodcuts. Volume II, Part I. London: John Weale, 1848. iv, 342, Plates and Illustrations in Text, 2 Page Publisher's Catalogue.

Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Framed From Contributions Of Officers Of The Different Services, And Edited By A Committee Of The Corps Of Royal Engineers, 1849. Part II, Vol. II. Comprising M. - P. Meteorology To Palanque. With Numerous Plates And Woodcuts. Volume II, Part II. London: John Weale, 1850. iv, 203 (343 - 546), Plates and Illustrations in Text. 2 Page Publisher's Advertisements.

Aide-Memoire to the Military Sciences. Framed From Contributions Of Officers Of The Different Services, And Edited By A Committee Of The Corps Of Royal Engineers, 1852. Part II, Vol. III. Comprising R. To Z. Road to Zig-Zag. With Numerous Plates And Woodcuts. Volume III, Part II. London: John Weale, 1852. iv, 495 (301 - 794), List of Contributors, Corrections, Plates and Illustrations in Text, 8 Page Publisher's Catalogue.

Allen, Major Charles J. "Some Account And Recollections Of The Operations Against The City Of Mobile And Its Defences, 1864 and 1865." In Glimpses Of The Nation's Struggle. A Series Of Papers Read Before The Minnesota Commandery Of TheMilitary Order Of The Loyal Legion Of The United States. St. Paul: St. Paul Book and Stationary Company, 1887. Pp. 54 - 88. Volume title page included. One Plate.

L'Archiduc Charles, S. A. I. Et R., Principes de la Stratégie Développés par la Relation de la Campagne de 1796 en Allemagne, par S. A. I. Et R. L'Archiduc Charles. Traduit de L'Allemand par le Général en Chef Jomini, Aide de Camp de S. M. L'Emperor de Toutes Les Russies; Avec Cartes et Plans. Nouvelle Édition, Revue et Corrigee par L'Auteur, Et Suivie des Mémoires pour Servir a L'Histoire de la Campagne de 1796, Par le Maréchal Comte Jourdan. Bruxelles: Librairie Militaire de J.-B. Petit. 1840. Première Partie. Pp. 1 - 57. (French Text)

L'Archiduc Charles, S. A. I. Et R., Principes de la Stratégie Développés par la Relation de la Campagne de 1796 en Allemagne, par S. A. I. Et R. L'Archiduc Charles. Traduit de L'Allemand par le Général en Chef Jomini, Aide de Camp de S. M. L'Emperor de Toutes Les Russies; Avec Cartes et Plans. Nouvelle Édition, Revue et Corrigee par L'Auteur, Et Suivie des Mémoires pour Servir a L'Histoire de la Campagne de 1796, Par le Maréchal Comte Jourdan. Bruxelles: Librairie Militaire de J.-B. Petit. 1840. iv, 359. 14 Folding Tables. (French Text: This is a complete text and table version of this digitized text; lacks the plan or map atlas indicated in the title. )

* Bailly, E. Cours Élémentaire De Fortification Par E. Bailly Capitaine Du Génie. Première Partie Fortification Passagère. Publication De La Réunion Des Officiers. Paris: Librairie Ch. Delagrave, 1875. iv, 112. Table des Matières. 9 folding plates. (French Text)

Braeckman, J. Traité de Fortification Passagère Spécialement a L'Usage des Officiers et des Sous-Officiers D'Infanterie Par J. Braeckman Lieutenant au 12º de Ligne. Paris: Librairie Militaire J. Dumaine, 1870. 208, 6 Folding Plates. (French Text) 

Brialmont, Le Général A. La Fortification du Champ de Bataille. Avec Un Atlas de Dix-Neuf Planches. Bruxelles: Librairie Militaire C. Muquardt. 1878. 2 Volumes. Text volume xvi, 415. Atlas iv, 19 Plates. (French Text)

Campbell, E. S. N. A Dictionary Of The Military Science: Containing An Explanation Of The Principal Terms Used In Mathematics, Artillery, and Fortification, And Comprising The Substance Of The Latest Regulations On Courts Martial, Pay, Pension, Allowances, Etc. A Comparative Table Of Ancient And Modern Geography; Achievements Of The British Army; With An Address to Gentlemen Entering The Army. New Edition. London : James Maynard, 1844. xii, 284. 2 Page Publisher's Catalogue. Illustrations in Text.

Duparcq, Eduard De La Barre. Translated by Brig.-Gen. George W. Cullum. Elements of Military Art and History: Comprising The History And Tactics Of The Separate Arms; The Combination Of The Arms; And The Minor Operations Of War.  New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1863. 456. Illustrations in text.

Ernst, Captain O. H. A Manual Of Practical Military Engineering, Prepared For The Use Of The Cadets Of The U. S. Military Academy, And For Engineer Troops. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1873. 296. Illustrations in text. 3 Plates. 16 Page Publisher's Catalogue.

Fletcher, Brevet Brigadier-General Thos. C. "The Battle Of Pilot Knob And The Retreat To Leasburg." In War Papers And Personal Reminiscences. 1861 - 1865. Read Before The Commandery Of The State Of Missouri, Military Order Of The Loyal Legion Of The United States. Volume I. St. Louis: Becktold & Co. 1882. Pp. 29 - 53. Volume title page included.

Gillmore, Brig.-Gen. Q. A. Official Report To The United States Engineer Department Of The Siege And Reduction Of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, February, March, And April, 1862. Papers On Practical Engineering No. 8. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1862. 96. 8 Illustration Plates. 4 Map and Plan Plates.

Hamley, Edward Bruce. Operations Of War Explained And Illustrated. Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons, 1869. Text Images from 2nd Edition, 1869. Map Images from 3rd Edition, 1872. xxiv, 456, 19 Folding Maps.

Hickenlooper, A. "Our Volunteer Engineers." In Robert Hunter, Ed. Sketches of War History, 1861-1865 Papers Prepared for the Ohio Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1888-1890. Vol. 3. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1890. Pp. 301 - 318.

Huff, Sanford W. "The Eighht (sic) Regiment Iowa Infantry And Its Colonel, James L. Geddes, At Spanish Fort, Alabama." In Sanford W. Huff, Ed. The Annals Of Iowa; A Quarterly Publication By The State Historial Society, At Iowa City. Davenport, Iowa: Publishing House of Luse & Griggs. Vol. V., No. IV. October, 1867. Pp. 947-953. Including issue cover.

Hills, Brevet Colonel Chas. S. "The Last Battle Of The War – Recollections Of The Mobile Campaign." In War Papers And Personal Reminiscences. 1864 - 1865. Read Before The Commandery Of The State Of Missouri, Military Order Of The Loyal Legion Of The United States. Volume I. St. Louis: Becktold & Co. 1892. Pp. 177 - 190. Volume title page included.

Jebb, Major-General Sir J., K.C.B. A Practical Treatise On The Duties Required To Be Performed By Officers And Soldiers Of The Army At A Siege: With An Explanation Of The Principles On Which An Attack Is Conducted, And The Mode In Which The Different Operations Are Carried On. By Major-General Sir J. Jebb, K.C.B. Third Edition. London: William Clowes and Sons, 1860. viii, 132, 9 Plates, Illustrations.

Jomini, Baron De. G. H. Mendell and W. P. Craighill, Trans. The Art Of War: By Baron De Jomini, General And Aide-de-Camp Of The Emperor of Russia. A New Edition With Appendices And Maps. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1862. 410, Illus., Index, 3 Folding Maps.

Jones, Col. Charles C., Jr. The Evacuation Of Battery Wagner, And The Battle Of Ocean Pond. An Address Delivered Before The Confederate Survivors Association In Augusta, Georgia, On The Occasion Of Its Tenth Annual Reunion On Memorial Day, April 26th, 1888, By Col. Charles C. Jones, Jr. LLD. President Of The Association. Printed By Order Of The Association. Augusta, Ga.: Chronicle Publishing Company, 1888. 20.

Lendy, Captain A. F. Elements of Fortification; Field And Permanent. For The Use of Students, Civilian and Military. London: John W. Parker and Son, 1857. xii, 13-224. Illustrations in text.

Macaulay, J. S. Treatise On Field Fortification, And Other Subjects Connected With The Duties Of The Field Engineer. 2nd Ed. London: Bosworth, 1847. xii, 311. Illustrations in Text. Lacks Plate Atlas (12 Plates).

MacDougall, Lieut.-Colonel P. L. The Theory Of War Illustrated By Numerous Examples From Military History. Third Edition. London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1862. xiv, 354, Illus., 10 Folding Maps, Publisher's Catalogue.

Mahan, D. H. Advanced-Guard, Out-Post, And Detachment Service Of Troops, With The Essential Principles Of Strategy, And Tactics For The Use Of Officers Of The Militia And Volunteers. New Edition, With Twelve Plates. New York: John Wiley & Son, 1869. vi, 306. 12 Plates.

Mahan, D. H., M.A. An Elementary Course Of Civil Engineering, For The Use Of Cadets Of The United States Military Academy. Fourth Edition, Mostly Rewritten and Augmented with Many Additional Subjects and Plates. New York: John Wiley, 1848. viii, 358. Illustrations in Text.

Mahan, D. H. An Elementary Course Of Military Engineering. Part I. Comprising Field Fortification, Military Mining, And Siege Operations. New York: John Wiley & Son, 1870. xl. 284. Illustrations in text.

Mahan, D. H. An Elementary Course Of Military Engineering. Part II. Permanent Fortification. New York: John Wiley & Son, 1870. iv, 176. 18 Folding Plates.

Mahan, D. H. Descriptive Geometry As Applied To The Drawing Of Fortification And Stereotomy. For The Use Of The Cadets Of The U. S. Military Academy. New Edition with Additions. Third Thousand. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1893. 60. 12 Plates.

Mahan, D. H. Industrial Drawing: Comprising, The Description And Uses Of Drawing Instruments, The Construction Of Plane Figures, The Projections And Sections Of Geometrical Solids Architectural Elements, Mechanism, And Topographical Drawing; With Remarks On The Method Of Teaching The Subject. For The Use Of Academies And Common Schools. Second Edition, Revised and Corrected. New York: John Wiley, 1863. xvi. 157. 20 Plates.

Mahan, D. H. Industrial Drawing; Comprising, The Description And Uses Of Drawing Instruments, The Construction Of Plane Figures, The Projection And Sections of Geometrical Solids Architectural Elements, Mechanism, And Topographical Drawing; With Remarks On The Method Of Teaching The Subject. New York: John Wiley & Son, 1874. (Originally Published 1852). xvi, 156, 20 Plates.

Mahan, D. H. Lithographed Notes On System Of Fortification Drawing And Permanent Fortification. (Title inferred from chapter headings). N. P. : N. D. 112.

Mahan, D. H. Lithographed Notes On Permanent Fortifications: Vauban's 3rd, Coehorn's, Montalembert's, Carnot's, Chasseloup's, Haxo's, Choumara's Systems; Recent German Fortifications; The Adaptation Of Permanent Fortification To The Topographical Features Of Frontiers; Summary Of The Progress Of Fortification; Progress Of The Attack Since The Invention Of Fire Arms. (Title inferred from chapter headings). N. P.: N. D. (Text references date notes to period after Crimean War). 135.

Mahan, D. H. A Treatise On Field Fortification, Containing Instructions On The Methods Of Laying-Out, Constructing, Defending, And Attacking Intrenchments, With The General Outlines Also Of The Arrangement, The Attack And Defence Of Permanent Fortifications. Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged. New York: John Wiley, 1861. xxviii, 168, 12 Plates.

Mercur, James. Attack Of Fortified Places Including Siege-Works, Mining, And Demolitions. Prepared For The Use Of The Cadets Of The United States Military Academy. First Edition. First Thousand. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1904. xvi, 197. 12 Plates. Index. 16 Page Publisher's Catalogue.

Merrill, W. E. "Block-Houses for Railroad Defense In the Department of the Cumberland". In Robert Hunter, Ed. Sketches of War History, 1861-1865 Papers Prepared for the Ohio Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States 1888-1890. Vol. 3. Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1890. Pp. 389 -421. Illus.

Morton, James St. C. Letter To The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary Of War, Presenting For His Consideration A New Plan For The Fortification Of Certain Points Of The Seacoast Of The United States. Washington: Willian A. Harris, Public Printer, 1858. 108, Tables.

Morton, James St. C.  Memoir On American Fortification Submitted To The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary Of War, By James St. C. Morton, First Lieut. Engineers. Printed By Order Of The Secretary Of War. Washington: William A. Harris, Printer, 1859. 91. Tables. Map.

Morton, James St. C.  Memoir On The Dangers And Defences Of New York City Addressed To The Hon. John B. Floyd, Secretary Of War, By James St. C. Morton, First Lieut. Engineers. Printed By Order Of The Secretary Of War. Washington: William A. Harris, Printer, 1858. 93.

Officier Du Génie. Étude Sur La Fortification Semi-Permanente Par Un Officier Du Génie. Avec de Nombreuses Figures Dans La Texte. Publication De La Réunion Des Officiers. Paris: Librarie Militaire De J. Dumaine. 1880. iv, 99. Illustrations in Text. (French Text).

The Ordnance Manual For The Use Of The Officers Of The United States Army. Second Edition. Washington: Gideon & Co., Printers, 1850. xxiv, 476. 19 Plates. Index.

Pasley, Sir Charles W. , K.C.B. Rules, Chiefly Deduced From Experiment, For Conducting The Practical Operations Of A Siege. Part I. Containing The Preparation Of The Materials, And The Tracing And Execution Of The First And Second Parallels, And Of The Approaches Connected With Them. Third Edition. London: Parker, Furnivall, and Parker, 1853. xxiv, 103. Illustrations in text.

Pasley, C. W., Major General. Rules, Chiefly Deduced From Experiment, For Conducting The Practical Operations Of A Siege. Part II. Containing An Essay On The Construction Of Batteries In The Field. Second Edition. London: Parker, Furnivall, and Parker, 1853. xiv, 231. Illustrations in Text. 

Pearce, Major Charles E. "The Expeditions Against Fort Fisher." In War Papers And Personal Reminiscences. 1861 - 1865. Read Before The Commandery Of The State Of Missouri, Military Order Of The Loyal Legion Of The United States". Volume I. St. Louis: Becktold & Co. 1892. Pp. 354 - 381. One Plate. Volume title page included.

Regulations For The Army Of The United States. 1857. New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1857. xxvi. 457. 21 Page Appendix (Articles of War).

Roguet, (Christophe Michel) Général de Division Cte. L'Officier D'Infantrie En Campagne. Fortification, Petite Guerre. Par Le Général De Division Cte Roguet, Aide De Camp Honoraire De L'Empereur. Deuxieme Edition. Paris: Librairie Militaire de J. Dumaine, 1869. x, 511. (French Text)

Straith, Hector. Introductory Essay To The Study Of Fortification For Young Officers Of The Army. New Edition. London: Wm. H. Allen & Co., 1858. xviii, 262. Lacks Plate Atlas.

Surman, Gerald, Esq. The Sapper: Compiled From Instruction in Military Engineering, Vol. I. London: N.P. (Privately Printed), 1877. xvi, 130, Appendix. Illustrations in Text.

Suzor, Lieut.-Col. L. T. Traité D'Art et D'Histoire Militaires Suivi D'un Traité de Fortification de Campagne. Traduits et Compilés de MM. Vial, Villiaumé, Bannatyne, Blot et Autres. Quebec: G. E. Desbarats, 1865. vi, 472. (French Text).

Viele, Egbert L. Hand-book For Active Service; Containing Practical Instructions In Campaign Duties. For The Use Of Volunteers.  New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1861. 250. Illustrations.

Wheeler, J. B. The Elements Of Field Fortifications For The Use Of The Cadets Of The United States Military Academy At West Point, N. Y. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1882. xiv, 295. Illustrations in Text.

Wheeler, J. B. A Text-Book Of Military Engineering For The Use Of The Cadets Of The United States Military Academy. Parts II. And III. Comprising Siege Operations And Military Mining, With An Appendix Giving The Principles Of Fortification Drawing. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 1894. x, 172. Illustrations in Text.

Woodbury, Capt. D. P. Sustaining Walls: Geometrical Constructions To Determine Their Thickness Under Various Circumstances Derived Chiefly From A Memoir Of M. Poncelet, Chef de Bataillon du Génie, With Modifications And Extensions By Capt. D. P. Woodbury, U.S. Corps Of Engineers, Under The Direction Of Bt. Brig. Gen. J. G. Totten, Chief Engineer. No. 3. Papers On Practical Engineering Published By The Engineer Department For The Use Of The Officers Of The United States Corps Of Engineers. Second Edition. Washington: Taylor and Maury, 1854. iv, 32 (numbered 237-268), 11 plates (numbered VII to XVII).

Woodbury, Captain D. P. Treatise On The Various Elements Of Stability In The Well-Proportioned Arch. With Numerous Tables Of The Ultimate And Actual Thrust. Papers on Practical Engineering No. 7. New York: D. Van Nostrand, 1858. iv, 241 (187-438), 4 Plates (X-XIII), Illustrations in Text, Index.

Current Version: September, 2008