The second condition, when railroad communication is used, is satisfied by making the park conform to the best-planned railroad terminals and freight-yards. A type arrangement is given in Plate IX, Fig. 85, in which switches from the main line give access to as many side-tracks, a, b, c, d, etc., and spurs, 1, 2, 3, etc., as may be needed. When practicable, these sidings should connect at each end with the main line in order to afford free ingress and egress from both directions. They should be placed at such distances apart as to allow loading-platforms and the desired room for sheds, piles of materials, etc., between them; large areas being left for light, and small for heavy, materials. The spurs, 1, 2, 3, etc., should preferably be short; but if long, should be connected by switches. A Y, as indicated, is frequently convenient for reversing complete trains without uncoupling the cars, and is indispensable when a turn-table is not available.
When the powder-depot is separated from the main park it is better to reach it by a special track branching from the main line at some distance from the park, so that the ammunition-trains will not pass through or near the latter. The sketch given is proposed as a type only, since the park may occupy one or both sides of the main line, be long and narrow, short and broad, regular or irregular in outline, as may best conform to the ground available.
Standard-gauge roads will, when practicable, be laid between the main park and the smaller depots. When this is not feasible, narrow-gauge tram-roads will be used instead, and will also connect the smaller depots with the trenches and batteries. The portable tramways used by contractors are well fitted for use in the trenches.
When the park is located upon navigable water a number of piers and wharves are occupied. They should be provided with derricks or cranes, and tracks and cars upon which materials may be loaded directly from the ships. The park may then be arranged on the general plan above indicated. The switches are so arranged as to allow empty cars to return to the wharves on a track different from that used by the loaded ones.
In storing materials and supplies in the park care must be taken to place each class by itself, and to so pile them that they can be readily inventoried and inspected, and be removed or replaced without disturbing other piles. This requires the piles to be arranged in regular order, with unobstructed passages between them, and prohibits piling articles of different kinds or sizes on top of each other.
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.