SHELTERS AND HUTS.
113. In a regular siege, the besieging army will, as a regular rule, eventually be provided with tents or portable huts for shelter; but before this is accomplished much suffering and consequent disease may result from exposure, which could be avoided by the construction of temporary shelters, huts, and screens from materials available for this purpose.
In severe winter weather tents and thin wooden huts do not afford sufficient protection, and it may be necessary to substitute for them others with walls of logs, sods, sand-bags, adobe, or other materials, or even huts partly or entirely sunk into the earth. The greatest care must be exercised in enforcing proper ventilation and cleanliness in huts of this class. If this is not done serious fevers and other camp diseases are almost sure to occur. (Art of War, Art. 352-3.) The figures given (Plate IX, Figs. 86-94) have been selected from a great many examples to serve as suggestions. They may be modified or combined, as circumstances require. Their construction is evident from the figures, and requires no description. Ditches surrounding the huts are made to carry off rain-water. Heavy roofs are supported by poles set up inside the hut as needed. Fireplaces are dug in the sides of the excavation, or are built up of sods, clay, etc. It is better to make two, as shown, to obtain a good draught in any wind. Chimneys are made of sods or of sticks plastered with clay, unless drain-tiles, tin cans, or other suitable materials can be found. Great care must be taken to prevent their setting the roof on fire.
In many cases water-proof roofing felts and papers may be obtained and used for roofs, etc., in huts and shelters. The lumber from packing-boxes, tin from canned vegetables, and wire from baled forage may frequently be utilized for doors, chimneys, ties, etc. Straw mats for mattresses, etc., are economical in the use of straw and conduce to cleanliness, as they can be easily taken up and replaced. The method of making them is shown in [Pl. IX], Fig. 95. When twine is not at hand, they may be woven of straw rope. They, as well as all other bedding, should be taken out and sunned every dry day. Ordinary hurdles laid upon the ground or raised a few inches above it protect the blankets, etc., from the moisture of the earth.
It cannot be too strongly impressed upon officers, that all devices of the kind above indicated, which add to the comfort of the men, add also to their health, morale, and efficiency.