CAMPS AND CAMPING
SELECTION OF CAMPS.
Avoid camping or bivouacking in graveyards. Get as far to windward of them as possible.
Avoid ground that has been encamped on before, and if obliged to camp near it go to windward of old site. Avoid all rivers with marshy banks, and marshes of every description. If obliged to camp with a small force for a day or two near a marsh, if possible place yourself so as to have a hill or even some rising ground or woods between you and it. In camping near a stream cross it before making camp if possible and select a rise of ground near by. Low ground is unhealthy. All brushwood should be avoided, as also forests lately cut down.
A grass country with a sandy or gravelly subsoil is best; land with a clayey subsoil is damp.
There should be good natural drainage, and the location should be near fuel, water, and the road.
LAYING OUT THE CAMP.
Having fixed on the general plan of a camp, lay out the lines the tents are to occupy, and drive pegs to mark the position of the tent-poles or the centre of each tent. For wall-tents the distance between tent-poles of adjacent tents should be at least 20 feet.
CAMPING.
On arriving in camp park the battery with sufficient intervals to allow each horse at least a yard and a half on the picket-line, and have the wagons take positions most favorable for unloading.
The sections of picket-rope are usually stretched along the spare wheels of the caissons by cannoneers under supervision of the gunners.
Then the cannoneers, while drivers are unharnessing, etc., are told off into detachments, each under a non-com. officer when necessary, for unloading wagons, pitching tents, obtaining wood and water, and preparing latrines.
The drivers as soon as dismounted are directed to unhitch, and if the animals are sufficiently cool they should be watered and fed.
Examine feet, sponge eyes and nostrils, remove harness, and tie to picket-line. As soon as the harness has been removed pass the hand carefully over the horse's shoulders and back, and if there be any indication of a hard lump it should be at once hand-rubbed. Horses should be permitted to roll if backs be dry, as it is very restful to them. Leave blanket, secured by surcingle, on horse's back until dry if necessary. After two hours sound stables, at which the battery and platoon commanders should be present, and let the men get to work on their horses; a good rubbing-down is all that is necessary, without the elaborate grooming required in garrison.
Collar-galls and girth-galls should be kept wet with salt and water, and saddle-galls have a cloth wetted in the same manner kept on them. Or wash the galled spot and then cover it with a powder formed of 1 part iodoform and 3 parts sulphur. When the animal has to be used, cover it after dressing with a piece of old-fashioned sticking-plaster.
Should a riding-or draught-horse get a sore back, he may be used as an off leader or swing-horse. The saddle should be removed and the crupper connected to the collar by a back-strap. Breast-harness may be used on a horse with a collar-gall.
As a rule, horses should not be unharnessed at night in the presence of an active enemy; they should be tied closely together, tails to the wind, and should be shifted day or night to prevent their being head to the wind.
To Unharness in the Field.—If harness-racks be not used, the pole-prop is placed under the end of the pole; the single-trees are left attached to the double-trees; the wheel-traces are unhitched from the collars only, and laid over the chest from front to rear, or on the foot-board; the collars of the wheel-team on top of the limber-chest (paulins having been removed) next to the rail on the near side, the swing-collars in the middle, and the lead-collars next to the off-side rail; the collar of the off horse is placed on top of that of the near horse of the same team; the remainder of the harness is placed on the pole, that of the near wheel-horse next to the double-tree and as close to it as possible, next that of the off wheel-horse, and then the swing-and after that the lead-harness, both in the order laid down for the wheel-harness; the traces of the lead-and swing-harness (folded once) are laid over the pole; then on top of them the saddles with the attachments over them, so as not to rest on the ground. The neck-yoke is placed on the foot-board.
Figs. 77 and 78 represent the ordinary methods of encampment. These methods are modified to suit the circumstances and nature of the ground.
First Method.—The battery is parked with 15 yards interval between carriages. The extra caissons, the battery-wagon and forge, and the artillery-wagon are in a third line behind the caissons.
The harness of each team is arranged on the carriage.
The picket-line is 15 yards in rear of the caissons; it is either stretched between posts about 6 feet high or between caissons, or laid on the ground and secured by pins. When the ground picket-line is used, the end pins should be at least 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet long, and to lessen the danger of their being pulled up no horse should be tied nearer than 12 feet from them; a sufficient number of smaller pins, about ¾ of an inch in diameter and 2 feet long, are used between the end pins to keep the line straight and prevent it from swaying. The pins should be of iron with steel heads and points. The horses are secured to the ground-line by hobbles, or by hitching-straps if long enough to prevent constraint to the horses. The ground picket-line should not be used unless the earth is sufficiently firm to hold the pins securely.
Fig. 77.
The men's tents are pitched in line, about 30 yards in rear of the picket-line; the first sergeant's tent covers the carriages of the right section; the left guard-tent covers the carriages of the left section; the tents of each section are in the order of their pieces in park, and are closed to the centre, or to the right, so as to have a vacant space between the guard-tents and the tents of the left section. The men's kitchens are in line, 10 yards in rear of the guard-tents, which may be faced to the right, so that No. 1 can overlook the kitchen.
The officers' tents are in line, 30 yards in rear of the battery tents; the captain's tent on the right, covering that of the first sergeant. The officers' kitchens are 10 yards in rear of their tents. The baggage-wagons are in line 30 yards in rear of the officers' tents. The sinks are 50 yards in rear of the wagons; the officers' sink on the right, the men's sink on the left.
When time permits, the rows of tents are ditched, and a shallow ditch 8 inches in depth made around each tent; and these should lead into other and deeper drains or gutters by which the water will be conducted away from the tents. No refuse, slops, or excrement should be allowed to be deposited in the trenches for drainage around tents.
On arriving in camp sinks should be dug at once, unless the march is to be resumed on the following morning; the sinks are concealed by tents or brush when practicable, and must be covered daily with fresh earth. A small sink should be dug near the kitchen as a receptacle for all cooking refuse; the old kitchen sink should be filled up and the earth well rammed down over it, and a new sink opened every two or three days.
Paulins are used to protect the guns, carriages, and harness, and also to serve as cover for the men when necessary. The paulin is 12 feet square, is provided with double cords at each corner and at the middle of each side. Each carriage has two paulins, which are carried on the limber-chests. For protection of material the paulins are placed over the carriage as follows: Tie a corner of one of the paulins over the muzzle, pull the canvas over the gun-wheels and tie diagonal corner to the flask, tie a corner of the second paulin to the flask, pull the canvas over the wheels of the limber and tie the diagonal corner to the pole in front of the harness. The caisson is covered in a similar manner by its two paulins.
Second Method.—The baggage-wagons may be in line with the pieces, the interval between the left baggage-wagon and nearest piece being about 50 yards; the guard-tents half-way between the pieces and the baggage-wagons, facing to the rear; the forage-pile between the guard-tents and baggage-wagons; the men's kitchens in line with the third line of caissons, and covering the left baggage-wagon; the officers' tents on a line perpendicular to the men's tents, facing them, and on the prolongation of one of the baggage-wagons; the officers' kitchen in rear of the officers' tents, and on the prolongation of the right baggage-wagon.
Fig. 78.
If the forge-fire is to be lighted, a special place is assigned the battery-wagon and forge, sufficiently removed from the ammunition-chests for safety.
In a horse-battery two picket-lines may be used instead of one, the second line being 15 yards in rear of the first.
ENCAMPMENT OF A BATTALION OF LIGHT ARTILLERY.
On approaching the site previously selected for the encampment of the battalion the adjutant assembles the guidons, and conducts them to the camping-ground, and establishes each one at the point where the lead-team on the interior flank of his battery is to rest. After all are established he returns to the column, and indicates to each battery commander how and where his battery shall be parked.
The guidons are established with a distance between them of 94 yards (when there are two lines of carriages with 6 horses each, and the picket-line is in rear of the park), the guidon of the second battery in the column of march that day being placed at the head of the line, and so on, the guidon of the leading battery being last. The tent of the battalion commander is at a point 60 yards from the line of guidons, and on a perpendicular line passing 17 yards in rear of the second guidon, for an encampment of 2 or 3 batteries; and in a corresponding position in rear of the third guidon for an encampment of 4 batteries.
When the captain commands "Front!" after parking his battery, the guidon moves 75 yards to the rear and 30 yards to the flank, and plants his flag. This point establishes the position of the captain's tent.
The battery-officers' tents are on a line, at intervals of 5 yards, facing the interior flank, the captain's tent being nearest the guidon.
The officers' mess-tent, of the batteries to the right of the battalion commander, is 10 yards in rear of the tent of the lieutenant on the flank. For batteries to the left of the battalion commander it is 10 yards in rear of the tent of the captain.
Officers' kitchens are five yards in rear of mess-tents.
In each battery:
The picket-line is 15 yards in rear of the line of carriages.
The tents for the enlisted men are 30 yards in rear of the picket-line, that of the first sergeant being on the interior and the guard-tent on the exterior flank.
The cooks' tent is next to the guard-tent, the other tents being equally distributed along the line.
The forage is 15 yards from the exterior flank, on the prolongation of the picket-line.
The sinks are 90 yards from the forage, on the prolongation of the picket-line.
The kitchens are on the line of the tents and 30 yards from the guard-tent.
The tents of the battalion commander and staff are arranged, at intervals of 5 yards, on a line facing the interior flank.
The mess-tent is on the flank nearest the front of the park, and the tents of the adjutant, quartermaster, and surgeon are on the other flank of the tent of the battalion commander.
Non-commissioned staff-officers' and orderlies' tents are on a line 15 yards in rear of the staff-tents.
The cook-tent is 5 yards to the rear of the outer flank of the mess-tent.
The staff-wagons are on a line 15 yards in rear of the non-commissioned staff tents, the forage-and guard-tents being near either flank.
Officers' sinks are on a line 60 yards in rear of the staff tents.
The position of the kitchens may be varied, depending on the direction of the wind and lay of the ground.
If the camp be established for more than a few days, the batteries will be parked in positions corresponding to the ones they occupy at battalion formation.
BIVOUACS.
The men bivouac at a convenient distance in rear of the park, each detachment opposite its section; the guard is on one flank and to the leeward; the cook-fires are near the guard. If necessary, the picket-line may be stretched through the hind wheels of the carriages of the third line, but whenever practicable the picket-line should be stretched along the ground or between trees or posts.
A simple shelter may be formed by driving two forked sticks into the ground, with a pole resting in the forks, and branches laid resting on the pole, thick ends uppermost, at an angle of 45 degrees, and the screen completed with smaller branches; or a shelter of canvas or a blanket may be similarly made.
Each man should strew his sleeping-place with dried leaves, etc., and place over it any articles such as bags, saddle-cloths, etc. A small hollow should be scraped in the ground just where the hip would rest.
TENTS.
The Hospital Tent, complete, weighs 215 lbs., and consists of one tent, 100 lbs.; one fly, 32 lbs.; one set tent-poles, 60 lbs.; 18 large and 28 small tent-pins, 23 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 14 feet; height, 11 feet; width, 14½ feet; height of wall, 4½ feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 for battery sick.
The Conical Wall-tent, complete, weighs 128 lbs., and consists of one tent, 76 lbs.; one tent-pole and tripod, 32 lbs.; 48 tent-pins, 20 lbs.
Its dimensions are: height, 10 feet; diameter, 16½ feet; height of wall, 3 feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 to 20 foot or 17 mounted men.
The Wall-tent, complete, weighs 97 lbs., and consists of one tent, 43 lbs.; one fly, 15 lbs.; one set of poles, 25 lbs.; 10 large and 18 small tent-pins, 14 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 9 feet; height, 8½ feet; width, 8 feet 11 inches; height of wall, 3 feet 9 inches.
Authorized allowance, 1 to captain, 1 to 2 subalterns.
The Common Tent, complete, weighs 51 lbs., and consists of one tent, 26 lbs.; one set of poles, 15 lbs.; 24 pins, 10 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 6 feet 11 inches; height, 6 feet 10 inches; width, 8 feet 4 inches; height of wall, 2 feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 to 6 foot or 4 mounted men.
The Shelter-tent (2 halves) weighs a little over 5 lbs., and the 8 pins 1½ lbs.; total, 6.5 lbs.
Each half is 67 inches by 65 inches.
Authorized allowance, 1 to each officer, 1 to 2 enlisted men.
The Hospital Tent will accommodate comfortably six patients. It is pitched by eight men, after the manner described for pitching the wall-tent.
The Conical Wall-tent is provided with a hood, and will comfortably accommodate ten men, and may be made to hold twice that number. To pitch the tent, four men are required. No. 1 procures tent; No. 4 tripod and pole, which he opens; Nos. 2 and 3 each 24 pins and a maul, which they place near front and rear of tent respectively. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 unroll the tent and spread it out upon the ground near where it is to be pitched, top of tent at its centre. No. 1 drives a pin to mark the door of the tent, and then measures with the tent-pole directly backward, and drives a pin at that end of the pole; No. 4 places the tripod opened out flat, with ring over the last pin driven (the centre pin), and lays the pole on the ground, pin-end at centre pin. All bring the canvas over the tripod until its centre comes to the centre pin and door at the front pin, when No. 2 slips the wall-loop at one end of the door over front pin, and fastens the rope of the flap to the same pin. Nos. 1 and 4, commencing at rear and front of tent respectively, and working to the right and left, scatter the pins and pull out the guy-ropes. Nos. 2 and 3 take each a maul, and, commencing front and rear respectively, work right and left of the tent, driving the guy-pins, placing them about one yard from the edge of the tent, each on a line with a seam. As the pins are driven Nos. 1 and 4 place the ends of the guy-ropes over them, working on their respective sides. When the pins are set, No. 2 crawls under the canvas, slightly raises the tent, and places the pin of the pole through the plate attached to the chains at the top of the tent, and, raising the pole, sets it in the ring of the tripod; No. 3, having from the outside placed the hood over the pole-pin, enters the tent by crawling under, and assists No. 2 in raising the tripod, which being done Nos. 1 and 4 tighten the guys; they then scatter the wall-pins. The tent having been secured, Nos. 2 and 3 now take their posts outside and drive the wall-pins, working as before, No. 2 toward the right rear and No. 3 toward the left front; Nos. 1 and 4 straighten the tent and fasten the hood-guys.
A Wall-tent will accommodate four men; preferably three if there be sufficient canvas. The rectangle marked by the pins for guy-ropes has a front of 18 feet and a depth of 14 feet. It is pitched by four men. Nos. 1 and 2 bring ridge and upright poles, unfasten them, and place ridge-poles as directed by the non-commissioned officer. They then place the upright poles in position on the ground, usually on the side opposite that from which the wind is blowing. Nos. 3 and 4 bring tent, unroll it, and all now open canvas and place it in position for pitching; No. 1 working in rear, No. 2 in front, fix the ridge-pole and tent, tapping with a maul, if necessary, to drive the uprights home. The fly, if used, is now placed in position over tent, and the centre loops are secured over front and rear pole-pins, which have been previously driven by Nos. 3 and 4. All draw bottom of tent taut and square, the front and rear at right angles to the ridge, and fasten it with pins through the corner loops; then, stepping outward two paces from the corner pins and one pace to the front (or rear), each securely sets a long pin, over which is passed the extended corner guy-rope. The tent is now raised and the poles set in position. The other pins are then driven and the guy-ropes properly secured.
A Common Tent should not be made to hold more than three men. It is similarly pitched.
In pitching common or wall tents care must be taken that the door is tied up, and that it is properly squared and pinned to the ground at the door and four corners before being raised.
A Shelter-tent merely affords cover for two men.
In assigning men to tents bear in mind that the crowding of men in tents for sleeping purposes is highly injurious to health.
In pitching the tents disturb the ground inside and around as little as possible. Do not allow absurd notions of order and regularity to cause tents to be pitched in hollows, which are frequently met with in the best sites, when, by moving the tent perhaps a few feet one way or another, a good position for it might be found.
In camps of position, when tents are used, it is advisable to supply planking for the men to lie on, these planks to be removed and aired every fine day. If boards cannot be had, use any sort of tarpaulin or waterproof sheet that can be obtained.
If straw be plentiful, issue enough to make good thick mats for the men to lie on. They are easily made and most comfortable. They should be hung up to dry every day. They should be 3 inches to 4 inches thick, 6 feet long, and about 2¼ feet wide.
Fig. 79.
Every morning, except when it rains, have the sides of tents rolled up all around, and in fine weather strike tents frequently; it is good practice for the men; they should regularly pack them up as if for a march. This is also advisable as a sanitary measure, so that the ground where the tent usually stands can be well dried by the sun. Blankets and bedding should be frequently aired and exposed to the sun. Do not permit grass or green leaves to be used for beds in tents, but use straw when it can be obtained. Each tent should be thoroughly swept out daily, and at night properly ventilated, the walls being raised if the weather permits.
TO STRIKE A TENT.
The men take their posts and first remove the wall-pins and then all the guy-pins on their respective sides, except the four corner pins of the square tents, or the quadrant-pins of the conical tents.
Standing at their respective posts, they remove the corner, or quadrant, guys from the pins and hold the tent until the signal for striking is given, when the tent is lowered to the side indicated.
The canvas is then rolled up and tied by Nos. 1 and 4, while Nos. 2 and 3 fasten the poles, or tripod and pole, together, and collect the pins.
HEATING TENTS.
The Sibley stove, for conical and wall tents, weighing about 19 pounds, is issued by the Q. M. Dept., and is very necessary in cold weather. It is easily put up and requires very little fuel.
For ordinary weather an officer can make himself very comfortable by means of a small oil-stove, one or two wicks. Have a box in which it fits exactly made for transporting it, and take along a tin of oil.
CAMP COOKING.
A field-kitchen is easily made by digging a long trench for the fire, its width not being sufficient for the kettles, which are placed on it, to drop into it, and covering up between them with stones and clay, that the fire, fed from the windward end, may draw right through. A chimney, formed with the sods cut off the top of the trench, can be built at the other end to increase the draught.
Three such trenches meeting under one chimney form a broad-arrow kitchen. The centre trench is traced in the direction from which the wind is blowing, the other two making angles of 40 to 45 degrees with it. The width of the trenches is 9 inches, reduced to 6 inches when they pass under the base of the chimney, and widened at their mouths to produce a draught. The depth is one foot at the base of chimney and 14 inches at the other end, or one foot throughout if the ground falls at the mouth of the trench. A field-kitchen is easily made of two logs rolled nearly together in the direction of the wind, and the fire kindled between them.
The Buzzacott field-oven is excellent, as is also the ordinary Dutch oven. They are furnished on requisition by the Quartermaster's Department.
To Make Field-ovens.—Take any barrel (the more iron hoops on it the better), the head being out; lay it on its side, having scraped away the ground a little in the centre to make a bed for it; or if there is a bank near excavate a place for it, taking care that the front end of the barrel is at least 6 inches back from the foot of the bank. Cover it with a coating of about 6 or 8 inches of wet earth or thick mud, except at the open end, which is to be the mouth of the oven. Pile up some sand or earth to the thickness of about 6 inches over the mud, arranging for an opening 3 inches in diameter being left as a flue (to increase the draught) to lead from the upper side of the barrel, at the far end, through the mud and earth. This flue is only left open when the fire for heating is burning; when bread is put in, it should be covered over. Form an even surface of well-kneaded mud at the bottom within the barrel to form a flooring to place the bread on. Light a fire within the barrel and keep it up until the staves are burnt, and the oven is then completed. When required for use, heat it as if it were an ordinary oven; draw out ashes; put in bread, and close the mouth with pieces of board, tin, or iron.
The Subsistence Department issues an excellent pamphlet on army cooking.
DRINKING-WATER.
The water should be well tested, and persons living near by questioned about it.
Fig. 80.
Filters.—Two barrels ([Fig. 80]), one inside the other, having a space of from 4 to 6 inches clear all round between them filled with layers of gravel, sand, and charcoal, form an excellent filter. The inside one, without a bottom, rests on three stones placed in layers of sand, charcoal, and coarse gravel. The water flows into the space between the barrels and forces its way through the gravel, charcoal, and sand into the inner barrel. Or they may be placed as in [Fig. 81] and connected by a pipe.
Fig. 81.
If the water is from a small spring gushing up out of the earth, perforate the bottom of the outer barrel with a number of holes, and leave the bottom to the inner barrel, which should be pierced with holes round its sides near the top.
In both these filters draw off the water by a pipe running through the outer into the inner barrel.
Allow eight pints per man in hot and six in temperate climates for cooking and drinking, and a similar amount for washing. In stationary camps allow 5 gallons per man for all purposes.
LOG HUTS.
Good huts to last for years are quickly made of logs placed one over the other, being notched half their respective thicknesses at the angles so as to fit one into the other. Moss is driven into the interstices. A roof is put on of split logs, gouged out in the centre, so that each is like a long curved gutter. A layer of these is placed side by side, with the hollow side uppermost, one end resting on the ridge-pole, the other on the walls. A second layer is put over them with the hollow side down. A large split log, well hollowed out, is used as a ridge-piece. Cowdung mixed with water and well plastered over mud walls or floors renders them hard, tough, and less subject to injury from weather. A thin coating of this applied every day to the earthen floors of huts adds much to the appearance of cleanliness.
In planning huts give sufficient width for two rows of beds and a passage down the centre. A width of at least 6 feet should be allowed for each row of beds, and the passage may be from 2 to 4 feet wide.
BREAKING CAMP.
Ordinarily camp should not be broken before daybreak, as horses rest better from midnight until dawn than at any other hour.
Ample time should be left after a seasonable reveille for the men to breakfast, horses fed and the wagons to be packed.
Do not permit packing, pulling tent-pegs, or any noise before reveille. Men should be permitted to rest until the last moment.
Immediately after reveille have drivers and such other men as may be required feed and groom under supervision of the battery officer.
The grooming should consist in merely rubbing off the horses, and seeing that shoulders, backs, and parts under harness are in good condition and perfectly free from dirt. It is a mistake to groom too much in the field. It is distasteful to men, and does not improve the horses.
The other men should pack up, remove tent-pegs, and fold tents. Then breakfast. After breakfast let the men complete their packing and attend to personal requirements. Or tents may be left standing until after breakfast, depending on weather or other conditions. Drivers water and harness; cannoneers pack wagons and fill in sinks. Part of the cannoneers should be detailed to assist the drivers if required.
In packing the wagons it is well to have one or two men in the wagon who understand the work. Articles least required should be packed first. Those required by the cooks should be packed so that they can be easily gotten at immediately on reaching camp. When the camp has been cleared, an officer should ride over it carefully, and see that all tent-pins have been removed and no articles forgotten.
Signals for the performance of the various duties should be sounded by the trumpeter at prescribed hours.
WAGONS.
On field marches two six-mule teams will readily carry the baggage and ten days' rations of a battery (enlisted strength as now authorized, viz., 75).
If grain is to be transported, two more six-mule teams will be required.
Battalion commander and staff, one four-mule team.
Medical department, one ambulance and possibly one four-mule team.
A good six-mule team in the best part of the season will haul a load of 4000 pounds, marching with troops. It will haul 1400 short rations of provisions—bread, coffee, sugar, salt, and soap—and eight days' rations of forage for the six mules.
REMARKS ON PACKING WAGONS.
The reserve rations should be placed in first, as they are not required to be taken out unless specially ordered. Then should come the tools and any heavy packages, and on top the men's and officers' baggage. The blankets should be rolled up together by tent-loads or section-bundles. All grease, oil, and dubbing should be slung under the wagons.
The packing of the supply-wagons depends upon the nature of the supplies. Care must be taken that bags containing grain or biscuits are properly secured, and that, if fresh meat is carried, it is not exposed to the sun on the march. Tents are kept in separate wagons if possible, in order that they may be left behind when ordered without disarranging the other stores. In packing tools care must be taken to prevent their rattling on the march.
The following information obtained from orders of Army Commanders during the Civil War may prove useful:
General McClellan, August 10, 1862, allowed three wagons to each battery, and they carried nothing but forage for teams, cooking utensils for the men, hospital stores, small rations, and officers' baggage. At least one half of the wagons carried grain. Captains and lieutenants were allowed a shelter-tent each, and to every two enlisted men a shelter-tent. Men carried no baggage except blankets and shelter-tents, and officers' baggage was limited to blankets, a small valise or carpet-bag, and a reasonable mess-kit.
General Rosecrans, November 20, 1862, allowed each battery as many wagons as there were guns in a battery.
General Sherman while marching from Atlanta to Savannah allowed each battery one wagon.
General Grant, February 23, 1865, for each battery: for personal baggage, mess-chests, cooking utensils, desks, papers, etc., one wagon; two wall-tents for officers; shelter-tents, one for every two enlisted men. The allowance of forage was: horses, 6 lbs. hay, 14 lbs. grain; mules, 6 lbs. hay, 12 lbs. grain. On a march the grain ration was 10 lbs.
The following extract gives the minimum allowance with which the commands in the Department of the Missouri were equipped and supplied in 1885 for 20 days' field service:
Transportation for field-and staff-officers' baggage and supplies, medical supplies, engineer and signal equipments and appliances to be according to strength of command or nature and importance of service.
To a battalion of two companies, 1 four-mule ambulance.
The allowance of transportation per company is as follows:
To one troop of cavalry, with an average field strength of 2 officers, 50 men, 3 teamsters, and 2 packers, 3 six-mule teams, 10 pack-and 2 riding-mules.
To one company of infantry with an average field strength of 2 officers, 40 men, 1 teamster, and 2 packers, 1 six-mule team, 8 pack-and 2 riding-animals.
Included in above allowance is: 1 pack-mule per company for officers' supplies, and 1 pack-mule per company or per one hundred men for medical supplies.
Supplies to be carried in wagons per company are 20 days' field rations per man (55 and 43 with companies).
100 rounds of ammunition per soldier (50 cavalry and 40 infantry).
250 lbs. officers' baggage and supplies.
1 wall and 1 common tent.
10 days' grain (6 lbs. per day per animal).
Utensils for each company mess not to exceed 130 lbs. for cavalry and 100 lbs. for infantry.
Horseshoes, nails, tools, and medicine for cavalry-horses not to exceed 150 lbs.
To each soldier or civilian employé, 2 blankets and 1 extra suit of undergarments, compactly rolled in one piece of shelter-tent.
Whenever the amount of rations or grain varies from the above, the weight to be carried per wagon may be increased or diminished, but should never exceed 4000 lbs., and if possible should be less than 3500 lbs., per wagon.
When obtainable on line of march, full forage will be allowed all animals, the cost to be regulated by the contract rates at the nearest military post.
To be carried on the person or horse: 1 overcoat, 1 piece of shelter-tent, 50 rounds rifle or carbine and 24 rounds of revolver ammunition.
Supplies to be carried on pack-mules for one company will be:
10 days' field rations (three-tenths bacon) per man (55 and 43 with companies); 100 rounds of ammunition per soldier.
The utensils for each company must not exceed 75 lbs. for the cavalry and 50 lbs. for the infantry.
The weight per load per aparejo must never exceed 250 lbs., and should, if possible, be less than 200 lbs.
When marching with pack-train, to be carried on person or horse: 1 blanket, 1 piece shelter-tent, 50 rounds of rifle or carbine ammunition, and 24 rounds of revolver ammunition.
On leaving a military post when service is anticipated where it is impossible to use wagons, the loads for pack-trains, as a rule, will consist of only grain sufficient to keep the mules in full strength until required to make forced marches.
CHAPTER VIII.
Transportation. By Rail. By Sea. Embarkation. Care of Animals. Food for Animals. Diseases of Animals on Shipboard. Disembarkation.