In fortification, caserns, also spelled cazern or caserne, are little rooms, lodgments, or apartments, erected between the ramparts, and the houses of fortified towns, or even on the ramparts themselves; to serve as lodgings for the soldiers of the garrison, to ease the garrison, in Portugal and Brazil "Quartel" (derived for 4 faces).
There are usually two beds in each casern, for six soldiers to lie, who mount the guard alternately; the third part being always on duty.
See also Barracks.
This article incorporates content from the 1728 Cyclopaedia, a publication in the public domain.