A manuscript containing several summaries of reports on experiments with mines, executed during a military exercise in 1824-1825 by the Dutch military engineers, specifically the battalion of miners and sappers (combat engineers). The exercise took place near the fortified city of Grave and the goal was to test what size and number of mines would be necessary to undermine certain fortifications and to discover methods to further improve existing fortifications so that they could withstand similar attacks. Existing forts with bastions proved to be vulnerable and were transformed into polygonal forts, which were stronger and more adaptable to withstand different types of artillery used in attacks. These forts successfully protected cities well into the 20th century. The summary was compiled by Johan Jacobus Hennequin (1796-1880), a lieutenant adjutant with the miners and sappers and was mainly based upon the work of a lieutenant colonel of the same battalion, Abraham Eichholtz (1771?-1846). He was responsible for the calculations used in constructing the mines. The whole exercise was overseen by Lieutenant General Baron Krayenhoff (1758-1840), the "inspector general of fortifications". Miners and sappers were the predecessors of modern-day military engineers and are still an important subgroup of these engineers. They were responsible for literally undermining the enemy and in a broader sense responsible for handling the terrain and mobility of the armed forces.
Handwritten title label on the front board: "Bataillon Mineurs & Sappeurs Exercitie Polygoon van 1824 & 1825 Uittreksel uit de Officiele Rapporten der verrigte Werkzaamheden.", small white label around the head of the spine with a Danish library stamp, red label on the front paste-down (a message in Danish asking readers to be careful in handling the book), shelf-mark(?) in brown ink on the front paste-down "VIII d No. 35.", handwritten title-page with two Danish library stamps. Spine and corners of the boards slightly damaged, without affecting the integrity of the binding, but generally in very good condition.