Gun Battery
in fortification, the emplacement of two or more pieces of artillery, destined to act on the offensive or defensive. It may be: En echarpe, having a line of fire oblique with the object. En revers, playing on the rear of the enemy. Crossfire, several batteries having a converging fire on an object. Casemate, when protected by a bomb-proof chamber, and firing from embrasures.
Barbette, firing over a parapet. Ricochet (smooth bores only), when the balls, with a low charge, traverse the inner face of the enemy's work, and rebound and roll along the same. Mountain, light pieces adapted to be dismounted and, with their dislocated carriages, carried on mules.
Some of these have been made in two pieces, which unscrew for ease in transport. In field-artillery, the tactical unit of field-artillery, consisting of six or eight field guns under one command, together with the officers, men, horses, wagons, and stores.