or Scalade, a furious attack of a wall or a rampart; carried on with ladders, to pass the ditch or mount the rampart; without proceeding in form, breaking ground, or carrying on regular works to secure the men.

When the troops are prepared to pass the ditch, either with the assistance of boards, hurdles, and fascines, when it is muddy, or with small boats of tin, or baskets covered with skins or oil-cloth, when it is deep and filled with water, a party must be placed on the counterfarp, opposite to the landing-place, ready to fire at the garrison if they are alarmed, and oppose the mounting on the rampart. If the ditch is dry, the ladders are fixed in some place farther distant from the crenel; and as soon as they get upon the rampart, they put themselves in order to receive the enemy; if the crenel should be surprised and silently overcome, the detachment hastens to break open the gate, and to let in the rest of the party. If the ditch is wet, the rampart high, and provided with a revetment, it will be difficult to surprise the town in this way; but if there is no revetment, the troops may hide themselves along the outside of the rampart till all are over. Since the invention and use of gunpowder, and the walls of cities have been flanked, they are seldom taken by escalade.