A few pieces of light artillery, on the flanks of the column, may sometimes be employed for this purpose with great advantage.
The storming party should always be provided with scaling-ladders, planks, fascines, &c., for crossing the ditch, and mounting the scarp.
If the counterscarp be revetted with masonry, the troops must either descend by ladders, or fill up the ditch with fascines, bales of straw, bundles of wool, &c.: if not revetted, a passage for the troops into the ditch will soon be formed by the shovels of the sappers.

When the ditch is gained, shelter is sought in a dead angle till the means are prepared for mounting the scarp, and storming the work.

If the scarp be of earth only, the sappers will soon prepare a passage for the escalade; but if revetted with masonry, the walls must be breached with hollow shot, or scaled by means of ladders.
In the defence, the strictest vigilance should be at all times exerted to guard against a surprise: sentinels are posted on all the most commanding points of the work; all the avenues of approach are most thoroughly guarded; and patroles are constantly scouring the ground in all directions.

At night all these precautions are redoubled.

Light and fire-balls are thrown out in front of the work to light up the ground, and discover the movements and approach of the enemy.