These well-made protections of sharpened spikes, as formidable as the pointed spears of a Roman legion, are
chevaux-de-frise of the
Confederates before their main works at
Petersburg.
They were built after
European models, the same as employed in the Napoleonic wars, and were used by both besiegers and besieged along the lines south of the
Appomattox.
Those shown in this picture were in front of the entrenchments near
Elliott's salient and show how effectually it was protected from any attempt to storm the works by rushing tactics on the part of the Federal infantry.
Not far from here lies the excavation of the Crater.
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Security from surprise |
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The mole-hill ramparts, near the crater |
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