Hardtack and coffee

by John Davis Billings

WAGON-TRAIN CROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK ON A PONTOON BRIDGE. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.

Let us see a little more clearly what a corps train included. I can do no better than to incorporate here the following order of General Meade:—

Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac.

August 21, 1863.

General Orders,
No. 83.

In order that the amount of transportation in this Army shall not in any instance exceed the maximum allowance prescribed in General Order, No. 274, of August 7, 1863, from the War Department, and to further modify and reduce baggage and supply trains, heretofore authorized, the following allowances are established and will be strictly conformed to, viz.:

1. The following is the maximum amount of transportation to be allowed to this Army in the field:

To the Head-Quarters of an Army Corps, 2 wagons or 8 pack mules.