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Sally Forth From the Fort |
Two Perspectives
Quoted from The Attac and Defence of Fortified Places by John Muller, 2nd ed., 1759
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For the besiegers: And as Sallies are one of the principal, they will not fail to attempt them, and endeavour to destroy the Trenches as often as they possibly can. It will not be improper therefore, to shew how to prevent the effects of them, and even to render them, if possible, advantagious to the Besiegers. As the garrison is but small in comparison to the Army of the Besiegers, the Trenches are, or ought to be so well guarded, as to be able not only to resist any Sally, even though composed of the whole garrision, but also to repulse them with the utmost vigour, and a considerable loss; a Sally therefore never succeds but by surprize; so that if the Besiegers are upon their guard, especially when the head of the work is at some distance from the place, it will hardly be possible for the Besieged to undertake any thing against the Trenches... The intent of Sallies is to fall upon and destroy a part of the Approaches not quite finished, or well supported, to nail up the Guns upon the Batteries, or to surprize a part of the guard in the Trenches; for which reason special care must be taken to watch and look out so well, that the enemy may not approach unperceived; and as soon as they are heard or seen, the workmen at the head of the Trenches are ordered to retire, and notice is given... to be ready to receive them with smart fire... and then they must be immediately charged both in front and in flank, taking care however not to pursue them too far, for fear of fire from the covert-way... the garrison generally waiting for the opportunity... The works become more exposed to be insulted in proportion as they approach the Town; for which readon no work should be undertaken without being well supported... Sallies are never made in the day-time, but by a presumptuous enemy; for then they are easily repulsed, unless the garrison is very numerous, or the Army of the Besiegers so weak, as not to be able to furnish a sufficient guard for the Trenches, in such cases a General out to consider whether he is in a condition to continue the Siege... A garrison may be in a state to insult or attac the Trenches after having received a strong reinforcement, or when the Besiegers are obliged to send a considerable part of their Army upon some other enterprize. It is then at the option of the General, either to continue or raise the Siege; it it appears that the Army suffers greatly without any certainty of taking the Place, he ought to retire. But suppose that measures have been so well concerted by the General, as to prevent in all appearance the danger of being disappointed; then if parties of 10 or 12 men headed by a serjeant, are ordered to range in the night between the Trenches and the Town, to watch, and to discover the enemy... These men must be on their faces as near the covert-way as possible, remaining in profound silence till they hear or perceive some motion, then send one of them immediately to the guard... This may be executed without much danger, and will secure the Besiegers from all surprise. pgs 47-50, reprint by Flower-de-Luce Books |
For the besieged: Sallies, when made with due precaution and judgment, are one of the principal means to lengthen a Siege; whereas, when they are made without sufficient care, or on unseasonable occasions, they rather advance than retard the taking of the Place; for which reason the utmost precaution should be used in the execution, as well as great judgment in the choice of time and opportunities. Sallies are proper when a Garrison is numerous, or the Army of the Besiegers is weak; for in such cases the keeping off the enemy from the Place as long as possible, may either dispirit them, or retard the Siege to such a degree, that they may be obliged to raise it, if the season is far advanced, and the weather grows bad. Sallies are also proper to be made when the Fortification is bad, or the garrison ill-provided with ammunition and provision; it is best, in those cases, to keep the enemy at a distance as long as possible, to make better terms with them, lest coming too near the Place, and discovering either the wants of the garrision, or the defect of the garrison... Sallies are dangerous when the enemy is at too great a distance, they may cut them off from the Town with their horse; but when their Approaches are advanced... then is the time for the garrison to sally withoutmuch danger, the covert-way being at hand... ... the most favourable time for sallying is when the works, which are to contain the guard of the Trenches, are imperfect... There are few actions in the whole Art of war, that require greater diligence, courage and conduct than this... Sallies may be made, either with a small or great number of men, that is, with ten or twelve men only, or with six, eight, or ten thousand; the intent of the sallies should be to destroy a considerable part of the enemy's works... As to small Sallies, they serve to interrupt frequently the workmen at the head of the Trenches, who are ever ready to run awaym upon the least alarm; and this is usually done in the dark, most of them will get away if they can, and the rest require some time to be brought back: if the enemy, after several alarms grow secure, and take no notice of them, they should be flollowed by a more considerable one, well supported, which coming unexpected, will not fail having a good effect. The best time for large sallies is about two in the morning, as the troops being then much fatigued and sleepy, are less capable of making any considerable resistance, especially against a vigorous and well-conducted sally; and should it happen to rain so hard, as the guard in the Trenches should not be able to make use of their fire-arms, the conjuncture would be too favourable to be neglected; in short, no opportunity should escape a sagacious Governor to surprise the enemy, Sallies seldom or ever succeed in any other case. pgs 148-151, reprint by Flower-de-Luce Books |
Caveat: When the first edition of this book was published in 1749, the matchlock musket with its bandolier and glowing match had nearly disappeared from European armies, replaced by the snaphance/flintlock musket with cartridges and bayonet. Without the rattling and the glowing point of light, an infantryman could remain hidden in the dark better than his forefathers.