ATTACK

ATTACK, an attempt upon any person or thing; or the act of beginning a combat, or dispute. See AGGRESSOR.

ATTACK, in the military art, is an attempt or engagement to force a post, a body of troops, or the like. See ASSAULT. We say to begin, to make, to sustain an attack, etc. Several authors have written of the art of attacking and defending. See DEFENCE.



ATTACK of a siege, is the effort made by the besiegers with trenches, mines, galleries, etc. to make themselves masters of a fortress, in attacking one of its sides. See SIEGE, FORTIFICATION, WORK, etc. FALSE ATTACK, is that which is not vigorously prosecuted; serving only to make a diversion among the besieged, and to oblige them to divide their forces, that the true attack may be carried on with greater success. See FALSE. To ATTACK IN FLANK, is to attack both sides of the bastion. See BASTION.

ATTACK