PALISADES

, or Palisadoes, in Fortification, stakes or small piles driven into the ground, in various situations, as some defence against the surprize of an enemy. They are usually about 6 or 7 inches square, and 9 or 10 feet long, driven about 3 feet into the ground, and 6 inches apart from each other, being braced together by pieces nailed across them near the tops; and secured by thick posts at the distance of every 4 or 5 yards.

Palisades are placed in the covert-way, parallel to and at 3 feet distance from the parapet or ridge of the glacis, to secure it against a surprize. They are also used to fortify the avenues of open forts, gorges, halfmoons, the bottoms of ditches, the parapets of covertways; and in general all places liable to surprize, and easy of access.

Palisadoes are usually planted perpendicularly; though some make an angle inclining out towards the enemy, that the ropes cast over them, to tear them up, may slip.