The worst feature of the fort, however, was the large number of little buildings immediately outside the walls.

These and the walls of the garden were demolished by moonlight.

The stables, which were on the river face near the water tower, were loopholed; and efforts were made to loophole the basement walls of the tower, but these had to be abandoned, as there was a danger of disturbing the foundations.
Among the various ingenious plans hit upon by the besieged, one proved particularly useful.

Loopholes were made in the gun tower; a wall was built up in the face of the water gate; and fireplaces were constructed by which the wood, being laid on a slab of stone, was pushed out some feet from the wall, and could be drawn into the fort when it was necessary to replenish the fire, without those attending it being exposed.

These fires proved invaluable, when attacks were made upon dark nights.