APPROACHES, in Fortification, the several Works made by the Besiegers for advancing or getting nearer to a Fortress, or Place besieged. See WORK, FORTIFICATION. Such are Trenches, Mines, Saps, Lodgments, Batteries, etc. See TRENCH, MINE, SAP, BATTERY, etc. Approaches, or Lines of Approach, are particularly used for Trenches dug in the Ground, and their Earth thrown up on the Side towards the Place besieged; under Shelter or Defence whereof the Besiegers may approach, without Loss, to the Parapet of the covered Way; and plant Guns, etc., wherewith to cannonade the Place. See TRENCH. The Lines of Approach are to be connected by Lines of Communication. See COMMUNICATION. The Besieged frequently make Counter-Approaches, to interrupt and defeat the Enemies' Approaches.
