rail fence

a fence made of rails resting on crossed stakes or across one another at an angle.

Also called Virginia fence.

Origin of rail fence

An Americanism dating back to 1640–50

One woman puts her hand on the rail-fence and leaps over unconcernedly, rather than take her turn at the gate.

Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 15, No. 90, June, 1875 |Various
No farmer should ever risk his crop with a rail-fence without stakes.

Soil Culture |J. H. Walden
Our regiment was by a rail-fence on the northeast side of the hill.

Our Young Folks, Vol 1, No. 1 |Various
A few minutes of search and they found the gap in the rail-fence, and overtook the party carrying the wounded Confederate.

From School to Battle-field |Charles King

Ah, as he paused meditatively beside the rail-fence—what matter how long ago it was, how far away!

The Riddle Of The Rocks |Charles Egbert Craddock (AKA Mary Noailles Murfree)