This was certainly a singular method which was used to clear a ford, nor could it be done without much difficulty, and no inconsiderable share of danger. The chevalier Folard has proposed a much safer, and a much easier way, by means of grappling hooks, tied to long ropes, which might be thrown into the ford. Yet even in this case, observes the writer, the object could not be accomplished if the river were broad, unless the persons employed in the undertaking, be under the cover of so heavy a discharge of ordnance and musquetry, that the enemy would not be able to interrupt them, even from an intrenched position on the opposite bank.
With respect to caltrops, the removal of them, when properly distributed at the bottom of a ford, must be attended with great difficulty; for they must render the passage absolutely impracticable, unless they were to sink very deep into the mud and sand, and thus become useless. The men that first enter are in this case the only persons incommoded, but the rest may follow without much hazard.
It sometimes happens, that the bottom of a stream or rivulet is firm and gravelly; when this occurs, the greatest precautions must be taken to escape the effects of caltrops, which would be extremely hurtful to any persons that might attempt to cross. In order to obviate their mischievous consequences, and to render them in a manner useless, a good stock of hurdles must be provided. The soldiers will hand these to one another, force them into the water, and then cover them with stones.
When one or two fords in a river are so situated, that several battalions cannot cross them upon one front, it is then highly prudent to throw a bridge over, either above or below the ford; for a swell may intervene and render it otherwise impassable; and to which, you have the advantage of getting a greater number of troops over at once.
In order to effect a passage for his army over the river Segre, Cæsar gave directions that ditches, thirty feet broad, should be dug in such parts of the banks as might with ease receive the water out of the stream, and render it fordable. Having accomplished this object, he found no difficulty in reaching Petréius, who, being in the daily fear of wanting provisions and forage for his men, was on the eve of quitting his position and marching forwards.
The passage of the Granicus by Alexander the great, is likewise mentioned in history, as an instance of bold enterprise. But however celebrated that act may be in ancient records, we shall not be thought partial to the moderns when we state, that the passage of the river Holowitz by Charles XII. of Sweden, was equally bold and well managed.
The passage of the Tagliamento by Bonaparte during his campaign in Italy, would be the most celebrated of modern times, had not the passage of the Danube in 1809, eclipsed all similar achievements by the magnitude of the difficulties to be overcome, and the astonishing success of the means by which they were overcome.
RIVET, a fastening pin clenched at both ends, so as to hold an intermediate substance with more firmness.
RIVETING-plates, in gun carriages, small square thin pieces of iron, through which the ends of the bolts pass, and are riveted upon them.
RIZAMEDAR, Ind. An officer commanding a small body of horse.