Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-12
1rzZlrARY BRLDGES.

As the Bridge establishment of the Duke of
Wellngtoh's army IN Belgium IS on greater scale
than has been known IN the British service at aiy
former period, 1t may b, accep able to give some
Information of the fnlti arrangements which have
been made for the performance of that very es-
sential branch of military duty particularly, as
the subject appears, of late, to nave attracted a
good deal ofpubIc attention.
To our noR-nilitary readers, it may be proper,
previously 20 explain, that the pontoons used in
the formation of bridges in the field, portable
BOATS, which in the British service are made of
rIS, for the sake oflighmess, and the construc-
ton of which is so ngeniously contrived, that if
the sides or bottom are perforated in several pla-
ces by shot holes, they are prevented from sink
ing by being divided into number Of water-tight
partitions, which LIKEWISE contribute TO their
strength.
Each pontoon is mounted on wsggor which
also carries an anchor, and a certain number OF
baulks panks, oars, ropes, and other stores, i'll
such quantity as 60 complete that portion of the
bridge which one pontoon IS capable of support
ing. In good rogds, such as those of England,
six horses can draw pontoon with its stores
complete; but on service more Will be required.
When an army, after march, arrives at RI
yer, over which a bridge is to reformed, the pom
toons are taken of Their carriages, launched, and
anchored IN line, abreast of each other, at dis
lance apart, which may be Judged convenient
pontoon TO another; across Which theplanks are
afterwards applied and thus bridge capable of
pas ;ng troops cavalry and artillery, can be made
In a very short time.
Ten pontoons will form good bridge for in
fantry over ariyer Of about 600 yards vide but il
more are used, the bridge viii be so much the
stronger, and better calculated for carriages and
artillery.
The formation of military bridges in the Bri.
fish service is considered part of the duty OF
the engineer department. During the whole OF
fhe late war in the Peninsula, officers of that
corps had the charge of the pontoon train, and
directed its operations and moyem ents but the
establishment, beng then in its infancy, was very
inc 1mplete. A party ofPortuguese naval officers
All seanen, occasionally assisted by soldiers o.
the line, more of whom, (ether sailors or soldiers
Were previously trained TO that duty, acted as
pontooners. To these small party of British
selTnen was subsequently added. Civil artifceri
executed the repars-Spansh bullock driver!
and oxen, and afterwards detachment of artil-
lery drivers and horses, commanded by captain
Of he royal artillery, were employed in the move
ments.
FROM ihis heterogeneous mixture (then una
yoid4ble) oFofiicers and men of dfferent nations
AID of various professions and departments, mill
ta7v, naval and civil that perfect unity of actor
which g essential IN all military operations, coulc
scarcely be eXpec ed. A new and more efficient
syste has Therefore recently been adopted IL
Belgium. The pOntoons are TO be mancsuvreo
entir. " by officers and men Of the engineer de
part nent, and the drivers and horses appropriate
ed f.r that duty are also entirely under the com
ma1d OF the engineers.
Two companies of the royal sapperS and min
es, commanded by ore brevet mior, two cap
tans, and four subaiterns of the royal engineers
ar at present EMPLOYED with the train in the
duke of Wellington's army, and another compa
ny, particularly expert in that duty, has latel,
sailed 10 renfirce them.
AS the fact is not generally known; it is propeI
TO state, for the information of the public, thai
the royal sappers and miners in the British ser
vice, are not merely trained to the peculiar oper
atoms OF sapp.ng and mining. but likewise TO al
other practical field duties of the engineer de
partment, amongst which the formation ofmilita
ny bridges, by means Of boats, pontoons, casks
&c. has been most assiduousy attended TO. Tx
qualify them for executing this duty with prope
activity, on the most rapid rivers, they are exe
csed in the operations of rowing casting anC
weighing anchors, knotting, splicing, &c. unde
the directions Of officers OF the royal engineers
The spot selected for their practice is a par
OF the Midway, below Chatham, which is Their
subject TO the action Of tic tide and exceed
most inland rivers in rapditity. In this name
very great number of officers AND men hav
been trained within the last three years in con
sequence Of whose continual exertions and ex
perience, many useful improvements have bee
made, and the mmpuyres Of pDntoons and ofm
ltary bridges IN general, under various give
circumstances, have been reduced 70 asysten.
L0naon Paper.
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From dg BeieIyas gazette.