In most of the woods they had felled trees, and thrown them across the road; but as these abattis were without defenders, we experienced no other inconvenience than what arose from loss of time; being obliged to halt on all such occasions till the pioneers had removed the obstacle.
"The Campaigns of the British Army at Washington and New Orleans 1814-1815"
G. R. Gleig
In advance of these was a double row of abattis.
"Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution"
L. Carroll Judson
Orchards had been cut down to serve as abattis, and barrels of earth were ready to roll down upon the British.
"The Siege of Boston"
Allen French