Middlesex Township in Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Technical History
What is a redoubt?
A redoubt is a small temporary fortification of entrenched earth and wood. These battlefield strongpoints were designed to provide cover for defending infantry and artillery as well as slow down an attacking force. Several construction elements make up a redoubt. During the American Revolution both the British and Continental forces used John Muller's 1746 Elements of Fortification, which was a hybrid of the current theories of entrenchments put forth by Marshal de Vauban of France and the Baron Menno Van Coehorn of the Dutch Army. These systems emphasized a catalog of shapes and fortification features that a commander could fit to suit the particular circumstances of the battlespace. Before you is a recreation of an 18th century redoubt, can you spot the different design elements?
1. Embrasure: Opening in parapet for artillery to fire through.
2. Ships's carriage with 18 pdr cannon: Garrison carriages differ from ship's carriages by having small cast iron wheels as opposed to ones made of wood.
3. Gun platform: A floor made of joists and planks to serve as a foundation for artillery and mortars.
4. Fascine: Bundles of saplings bound with vines used to support the parapet.
5. 24 pdr mortar and bed: A short artillery piece mounted to a large wooden blockthat fires projectiles at extreme elevations over the fortification.
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6. Mortar pit: A gun platform specifically used for mortars.
7. Gabion: Basket shaped devices made of intertwined saplings and filled with earth and stone to support the parapet.
8. Parapet: Raised earthwork which serves as the cover for the defending troops.
Erected by The United States Army War College; United States Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1746.
Location. 40° 12.255′ N, 77° 9.467′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It can be reached from Army Heritage Trail south of Soldiers Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 Army Heritage Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named The Capture of Redoubt #10 (within shouting distance of this marker); Respect (within shouting distance of this marker); Revolutionary War (within shouting distance of this marker); Smallpox (within shouting distance of
Other markers no longer nearby. Technical History (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Capture of Redoubt #10 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
