Abatis, or AbATTIS

An obstruction formed by strongly picketing branches of trees on the glacis in front of the ditch of a work intended to be defended against an a ault. The butt ends are firmly anchored to the ground by pickets and the outer ends are sharpened and interlaced with each other, so that the obstruction cannot be easily removed, while at the same time it can afford no adequate shelter to the enemy. Like other acce ory means of defense, an abatis is principally intended to delay the enemy in advancing upon the work work, to break up his formation for a ault and subject him to as great great a lo in troops and morale as po ible; it is therefore so placed as to be well within the close and accurate range of fire from the defended position. advancing