[35] Epaulment, the mass of earth or other material which protects the guns in a battery both in front and on either flank (Century Dict.).
[36] Terre-plein, the top, platform or horizontal surface of a rampart, on which the cannon are placed (Century Dict.).
[37] Boyau, a ditch covered with a parapet, serving as a means of communication between two trenches, especially between the first and third parallels. Also called a zigzag or an approach (Century Dict.).
[38] Berm, a narrow level space at the outside foot of a parapet, to retain material which otherwise might fall from the slope into the ditch (Standard Dict.).
[39] Colonel Bankhead was the Chief of Artillery at the siege of Vera Cruz.
[40] General Juan Morales was the Mexican commander at Vera Cruz.
[41] Revet, to face, as an embankment, with masonry or other material (Century Dict.).
[42] Traverse, an earthen mask, similar to a parapet, thrown across the covered way of a permanent work to protect it from the effects of an enfilading fire (Century Dict.).
[43] General Scott “always wore all the uniform prescribed or allowed by law when he inspected his lines; word would be sent to all division and brigade commanders in advance, notifying them of the hour when the commanding general might be expected. This was done so that all the army might be under arms to salute their chief as he passed. On these occasions he wore his dress uniform, cocked hat, aiguillettes, sabre and spurs. His staff proper, besides all officers constructively on his staff—engineers, inspectors, quartermasters, etc., that could be spared—followed, also in uniform and in prescribed order. Orders were prepared with great care and evidently with the view that they should be a history of what followed.... General Scott was precise in language, cultivated a style peculiarly his own; was proud of his rhetoric; not averse to speaking of himself, often in the third person, and he could bestow praise upon the person he was talking about without the least embarrassment.” U. S. Grant, Memoirs, Vol. I, pages 138-139.
[44] Vera Cruz at that time was a city of about 15,000 inhabitants.