Handbook for Light Artillery

by A. B. Dyer

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.