This is the third and last level in the fort-building chain. On one occasion at Fort York, during the War of 1812, the defending British set off the magazine as they withdrew to deny the contents to the American attackers, killing hundreds of the assault force in the explosion. The powder magazine was a dangerous place and required rigid adherence to correct procedures by everyone if a disaster was to be avoided. Historically, it is not unknown for defenders to blow their own forts up, by accident or design. While the fabric of the building itself will not burn, the magazine holding the powder and shot for the fort can catch fire and explode. The other risk to the fort is, of course, fire. Repeated firing of even small cannons, such as nine-pounders, causes tremendous strain on the structure. The fort has to be strongly constructed to withstand repeated pounding by attacking cannons, and by the recoil of its own pieces. Properly served and loaded with grape or canister shot, guns turn the approaches to the fort into death traps for any attacking infantry. This is the second level in the fort-building chain.Īn artillery fort is a permanent defensive structure, mounting as many heavy guns as the builders can afford to emplace.Īn artillery fort has strong walls and parapets with embrasures: gaps for cannons to fire through at attackers. Forts are positioned with an eye to using existing terrain, commanding any strategic approaches (such as passes and river crossings) and intimidating the natives. Unlike a stockade, a fort is a relatively permanent structure and, as such, it serves to mark ownership of territory as much as to command the surrounding area. This cleared ground often extends well beyond musket range, to deny attackers the chance to approach unseen. The walls are high enough to give a good firing position to any defenders, and any aggressor had better bring a ladder or particularly acrobatic attackers to siege! The walls are only the most visible part of the defence: the surrounding trees and undergrowth are cut back to provide a clear firing - and therefore killing - ground for the defenders. A wooden fort is a substantial defensive work, built from logs and supporting earthworks.Īs a defensive work, it is well able to withstand enemy attacks when properly defended by stalwart men, a garrison should expect to hold out against attacks for some little time.

War of 1812 mod napoleon total war