The horses are then brought up, the marker’s horse of the centre division in the centre, the spare horses on each side of him, the wheelers, centre horses, and the leaders of the centre waggon next, and the rest in succession; the officers’ and N.C. officers’ horses on the flanks of their respective divisions.
Fastening the horses.
The horses are fastened by the centre of the collar chains to the line, taking two half hitches round it; the T end being also passed through the diamond link.
Nos. 1 take up an alignment ten yards in rear of the pickets, for the men’s tents. They are dressed by the staff serjeant.
The centre of the tent is indicated by a peg; they then drive four guy pegs to the front, rear, right, and left, at three yards distance from the centre one. Nos. 6 spread out the tents, and fix the second cord from each side of the door to the front peg, the fifth cord on each side to the side pegs, and the rear cord to the rear peg. They then put the tent-pole into the canvas, lying on the ground.
Raising the tents.
As soon as all is ready, the commanding officer gives the word Raise the Tents, which is done by Nos. 6. Nos. 1 and 6 then drive in their pegs, and fasten the remaining cords.
Preparing the marquee.
The second staff serjeant dismounts, and the position of the marquee is indicated by two pegs, driven at a distance equal to the length of the ridge pole, on the spot where his horse stood. Nos. 4 and 5 of each sub-division (being detailed for the marquee), fall in, and are told off by the second staff serjeant, from 1 to 12; as eight men only are required, the remainder are spare. 1, 2, 3, and 4 spread out the roof, the outside on the ground, the door to the rear; 5 and 7 double the lining, lay it on the roof, and put in the ridge pole; 6 and 8 put the standards together, and pass them through the lining; 5 and 7 fix the girthing and ridge pole on the spikes. The inside being thus arranged, half of the roof is turned over in order to prepare the outside. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 fix the vases on the spikes, and take two half hitches round them with the centre of each guy.
The marquee is raised by 5, 6, 7 and 8, at the same time as the tents. Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 take a guy peg and a mallet each, stretch the guys, and fasten them to the pegs in such a manner that they cross each other at each side, at the point of the dirk, which is painted on the roof; they then drive in the roof pegs, working round to their left, with their backs to the marquee; the pegs on the sides to be driven in a line parallel to the marquee, but at the ends in a half circle; 5 and 6 then hook on the wall from rear to front, overlapping two hooks at the rear, and peg it down; 7 and 8 hook on the lining, and peg it down; 5, 6, 7 and 8 also arrange the door. If there is a second marquee, it is fixed in the same manner.