Organization of Artillery. Composition of Light Batteries.
Equipment. Equipment and Clothing for Marches. Marches. Selection of
Camps. Making Camp. Breaking Camp. Allowance of Wagons.
ORGANIZATION OF ARTILLERY.
Artillery troops are divided into light artillery and heavy artillery.
To the light artillery belongs the service of the batteries which
manœuvre with troops in the field.
The light-artillery batteries include horse-batteries, in which the
cannoneers are mounted on horseback; field-batteries, in which the
cannoneers march by the side of their pieces, or are mounted on the
ammunition-chests, axle-seats, and off horses; and mountain-batteries,
in which the pieces may be transported on pack-animals.
Machine-batteries are designated, according to their equipment and
model of gun, as horse, field, or mountain, Gatling, Gardner, etc.,
batteries.
The 3.2-inch gun is used in both field-and horse-batteries; the
3.6-inch gun is used in field-batteries only.
A field-battery equipped with the 3.2-inch gun is called a _light
field-battery_; one equipped with the 3.6-inch gun is called a _heavy
field-battery_. A battalion of artillery consists of two, three, or
four batteries, and is commanded by a field-officer of artillery.
The heavy artillery of an army in the field consists of those batteries
which serve the siege-and position-guns, and the artillery-ammunition
and supply trains.
The light artillery of an army corps consists of _divisional artillery_
and _corps artillery_.
The =Divisional Artillery= consists of a battalion of from two to four
batteries, is an integral part of the division, and is commanded by a
field-officer who has a staff consisting of an adjutant (lieutenant),
sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, and chief trumpeter.
The =Corps Artillery= consists of two or more battalions; it is
composed of field-and horse-batteries in suitable proportions,
and is commanded by a colonel who has a staff consisting of an
adjutant (lieutenant), a quartermaster and commissary (lieutenant)
sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, and chief trumpeter. All the
artillery attached to an army corps constitutes an artillery brigade.
A battalion of horse-artillery is attached to and is part of each
division of cavalry. In smaller commands a battery may be attached to
an infantry or cavalry brigade.
The proportion of artillery is from three to four guns to one thousand
men. The chief of artillery of an army or corps is a brigadier-general,
and is on the staff of the commander of the corps. The corps artillery
is under the orders of the brigadier-general, chief of artillery, and
he also assumes control of the divisional artillery in action when
ordered to do so by the corps commander.
The field-officer commanding the divisional artillery is the chief
of artillery of the division, and is on the staff of the division
commander, but he will encamp with the divisional artillery.
COMPOSITION OF LIGHT BATTERIES.
A battery consists of a fixed number of pieces and caissons of a
combined battery-wagon and forge, and an artillery-wagon, together with
a sufficient number of officers, men, and horses for the efficient
service of the battery.
=Organization of Light Batteries.=--A battery is maintained on one
of the following footings: 1, for instruction; 2, for war.
---------------+----------------------+
| Instruction. |
+----------------------+
Field-battery. | 6 Guns, |
| 4 Caissons. |
+---------+----+-------+
|Officers.|Men.|Horses.|
---------------+---------+----+-------+
Captain | 1 | | |
| | | |
Lieutenants | 3 | | |
Staff-sergeants| | 2a| 2 |
| | | |
| | | |
Sergeants | | 6 | 6 |
Corporals | | 9c| 3 |
| | | |
| | | |
Artificers | | 4e| |
Trumpeters | | 2 | 2 |
| | | |
Guidon | | 1 | 1 |
Wagoner | | | |
Drivers | | 24 | 48 |
Cannoneers | | 36 | |
Supernumerary | | | |
drivers | | | |
Spare horses | | | 4 |
| | | |
Range-finders. | | | |
+---------+----+-------+
Total | 4 | 84 | 66 |
---------------+---------+----+-------+
[Part 2 of Table.]
---------------+----------------------+-------------------------
| War. |
+----------------------+
Field-battery. | 6 Guns, |
| 9 Caissons. |
+---------+----+-------+-------------------------
|Officers.|Men.|Horses.|
---------------+---------+----+-------+-------------------------
Captain | 1 | | |Commanding the platoons
| | | |and caissons.
Lieutenants | 4 | | |
Staff-sergeants| | 3b| 3 |_a._ First sergeant, stable
| | | |and veterinary sergeant.
| | | |
Sergeants | | 6 | 6 |_b._ First sergeant,
Corporals | | 15d| 9 |quartermaster and stable
| | | |and veterinary sergeants.
| | | |
Artificers | | 5f| 5 |_c._ Six gunners and three
Trumpeters | | 2 | 2 |caisson corporals.
| | | |
Guidon | | 1 | 1 |_d._ Six gunners and nine
Wagoner | | 1 | 4 |caisson corporals.
Drivers | | 48 | 96 |
Cannoneers | | 84 | |_e._ Two blacksmiths, one
Supernumerary | | | |saddler, one machinist.
drivers | | 8 | |
Spare horses | | | 16 |_f._ Three blacksmiths, one
| | | |saddler, one machinist
Range-finders. | | 2 | 2 |
+---------+----+-------+-------------------------
Total | 5 |175 | 144 |
---------------+---------+----+-------+-------------------------
The machinist should be conversant with the construction and mechanism
of the gun, and competent to make the ordinary repairs it may require.
The men should be intelligent, active, and muscular, and not less
than five feet five inches, nor more than six feet, in height; very
large men are specially undesirable. The great majority should be men
accustomed to horses; a suitable proportion must be mechanics.
If a public horse be allowed to each subaltern, the number of horses in
the above table will be proportionately increased.
The battery-wagon and forge and the artillery-wagon, when not horsed,
must be kept with the battery and equipped with the proper tools and
stores.
When a battery on the instruction footing is ordered to march, it must
be supplied with additional horses necessary to horse all the carriages.
In horse-batteries, in addition to the number of horses above
described, ten saddle-horses (including one spare horse) are required
for each gun detachment.
EQUIPMENT.
In garrison the first sergeant, quartermaster-sergeant, stable and
veterinary sergeants, and chiefs of section are armed with the sabre,
and the caisson corporals, trumpeters, guidon, and drivers also, when
specially directed.
In the field the first sergeant, quartermaster-sergeant, stable
sergeant, and chiefs of section are armed with the sabre and revolver;
all other men are armed with the revolver and knife.
In preparing for a march or field service the kinds and quantities
of supplies required will depend on the duration and character of
the work. Having determined what is required, divide the work of
preparing for service among the officers and non-commissioned officers
immediately in charge, and then carefully superintend the work yourself.
Attention is called to the following points:
Rations, forage, medicines, veterinary medicines, instruments, and
bandages, leather and spare parts for repairs to harness, carriages,
etc., horseshoes, horseshoe-nails, blacksmith's, saddler's, and
carpenter's tools (if there be no battery-wagon and forge),
field-desk, with a supply of blanks, paper, envelopes, pens, ink, and
pencils, the necessary company-books, and a book of telegraph blanks,
ammunition (shell, shrapnel, canister, cartridges, fuzes, fuze-cutters,
friction-primers, lanyards), oil for harness, cosmoline for guns,
equipment and clothing for each man, number and kind of tents, Sibley
stoves, axes, hatchets, mauls, scythes, sickles, buckets, spades,
shovels, pickaxes, wagon-tongues, coupling-poles, hame-strings, open
links, odometer, rope, axle-grease, picket-rope, light jacks, lanterns,
matches, cooking utensils, personal outfit.
COOKING UTENSILS.
PACK IN BOX A.
75 150
Article. Men. Men.
Dishpans 2 3
Coffee-mill 1 1
Bread-knives 2 2
Meat-knives 2 2
Steel 1 1
Cleaver 1 1
Saw 1 1
Forks, carving 2 3
Forks, spit 2 2
Spoons, long 2 2
Can-openers 2 2
Ladles 2 2
Frying-pans 2 2
Small rations
PACK IN BOX B.
75 150
Article. Men. Men.
Coffee-boiler 1 2
Camp-kettles 4 6
Water-buckets 2 3
Dipper 1 1
Hash machine 1 1
1 axe, 1 spade, 1 shovel, tied together and fastened to outside of
box.
Put the camp-kettles inside the coffee-boilers.
Vinegar-keg, 1, Dutch ovens, 2, or Buzzacott oven, 1, for 75 men;
double the number for 150 men.
One of the boxes may be large enough to contain the Buzzacott oven. In
order to pack it put in the top inverted, and then invert the body of
the oven and set it inside the top.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR MARCHES.
OFFICERS' CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, ETC.
An officer's equipment usually consists of sabre, revolver, and
ammunition, and a good binocular-glass. He should also be provided
with a compass, watch, knife, and notebook and pencil. A small watch
so fitted in a leather strap that it may be worn on the wrist is
recommended as very convenient.
The clothing and bedding carried will depend on the climate and the
character of the march. The following list contains about everything
one requires:
1 water-bucket.
1 dipper.
1 quart cup, tin.
1 washbasin, rubber.
1 small looking-glass.
1 lantern, with oil or candles for same.
1 small oil-stove, fitted in box.
1 oil-can.
5 gals. oil.
1 tin matchbox.
Box of matches.
1 or 2 folding-chairs.
1 folding-bed.
1 folding-table.
1 rubber blanket.
1 small strip carpet.
1 pillow.
Necessary bedding.
1 pair trousers, extra.
1 blouse, extra.
1 pair shoes.
½ doz. shoestrings.
1 pair overshoes.
1 pair slippers.
1 pair gauntlets, extra.
1 campaign hat.
1 overcoat.
1 rubber coat.
2 pairs drawers, extra.
2 undershirts, extra.
2 flannel shirts.
4 pairs socks.
4 towels.
½ doz. handkerchiefs.
1 sponge, in oil-silk bag.
Packages of toilet-paper.
1 portfolio, with pens, ink, paper, envelopes, and stamps.
1 hold-all, containing comb, brush, clothes-brush, scissors,
soap (in soapbox), toothbrush and tooth-powder, shaving materials.
1 housewife, with needles, thread and buttons.
Pipe, tobacco, and fuzees.
1 piece stout cord.
1 tape-measure.
1 pocket-map.
_In Cold Climate._
1 buffalo or felt-lined overcoat.
1 fur cap.
1 pair fur gloves.
4 pairs woolen socks.
1 pair felt boots.
1 pair high arctic overshoes.
Extra bedding or sleeping-bag.
Sticking-plaster, lint, safety-pins, tin of mustard-leaves, and a few
simple remedies in case of dysentery, diarrhœa, constipation, etc.
If messing alone, 1 tin kettle, 1 frying-pan, 2 baking-pans (small),
1 wire gridiron, 1 corkscrew, salt-and pepper-boxes, 1 can-opener, 1
small meat-knife, 1 iron fork (long), 1 iron spoon (long), 1 small
soup-ladle, 2 plates, 2 tin cups, 2 spoons, 2 teaspoons, 2 knives, 2
forks, tablecloths and napkins, and such stores as one may wish.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING FOR ENLISTED MEN.
=Equipment for Each Enlisted Man.=--One hunting-knife, one pistol,
one holster, one pistol-cartridge belt (woven), one screwdriver, one
canteen, one cup, one meat-ration can (knife, fork, and spoon), and for
each cannoneer one haversack.
=Clothing for Each Enlisted Man.=--Two blankets, one rubber blanket
or poncho, one overcoat, one campaign hat, one pair of leggings, two
blouses, two pairs of trousers, two dark blue flannel shirts, two knit
undershirts, two pairs of drawers, two pairs of shoes, three pairs
of socks, two towels, toilet articles, and stable-clothing for those
requiring it. The extra articles will be carried as follows:
_By Mounted Non-commissioned Officers, Trumpeters, and
Guidon._--Dark-blue flannel shirt, undershirt, drawers, socks, and
screwdriver, in saddle-bag, off pocket. Mess-kit, in saddle-bag, near
pocket. Blouse, trousers, and shoes, in knapsack. Overcoat, rolled and
strapped on the cantle of saddle. Nose-bag, on off side of cantle, the
strap passing around and under the overcoat. Canteen and cup (cup on
canteen-strap) strapped to near pommel-ring.
_By Drivers._--Dark-blue flannel shirt, stable-clothes, and shoes,
in saddle-bag, off pocket, near horse. Mess-kit, in saddle-bag,
near pocket, near horse. Blouse, trousers, and screwdriver, in the
saddle-bag, off pocket, off horse. Undershirt, drawers, and socks,
in saddle-bag, near pocket, off horse. Overcoat, rolled and strapped
on cantle, near horse. Nose-bags, one on each side of off horse, the
strap passing around the cantle and under the overcoat. Canteen and
cup (cup on canteen-strap) strapped to near pommel-ring, near horse.
Watering-bridles, currycombs, brushes, and halters, in the nose-bags.
_By Cannoneers._--Blouse, trousers, and stable-clothes, in knapsack,
flap side. Underwear, shoes, and screwdriver, in knapsack, bottom
side. Mess-kit, in haversack, worn on left side of person, or carried
in wagon. Overcoat, strapped on knapsack. Canteen and cup (cup on
canteen-strap) worn on right side of person.
The blankets, folded in section bundles, are carried in the wagons. The
knapsacks are carried in the wagons.
If there be an artillery-wagon with the battery, all the men have
knapsacks and haversacks, which are utilized as prescribed for
cannoneers.
When the Army of the Potomac crossed the river in October, 1862, each
officer was responsible for his own outfit; each man carried five days'
short rations in his knapsack and three in his haversack, one half
shelter-tent, his blanket or overcoat, one change of underclothing, and
his arms and ammunition.
=To Roll the Overcoat.=--Turn one sleeve wrong side out, fold the
overcoat right side out along middle back seam, sleeve laid straight,
sleeve wrong side out underneath.
Fold cape twice from side to side, lay it on coat, collar to collar.
Turn edges of coat in so as to make sides parallel, and to measure 12
inches wide at shoulder and 16 inches at bottom. Roll from collar down
to within 20 inches of bottom, turn up bottom and pull one thickness of
skirt over the roll, making all snug.
MARCHES.
The "general," sounded one hour before the time designated for
marching, is the signal to strike tents, load wagons, pack animals, and
send them to the place of assembly.
The execution of marching orders must not be delayed. If the commander
is not with the troops when they are to march, the next in rank puts
the column in motion.
When a march is in prospect, it is well to go out daily, for a week or
ten days previously, for a couple of hours' march. This will harden the
horses' shoulders and discover what corrections are to be made. The
average march for field-artillery on good roads is from 15 to 20 miles
a day; horse-artillery, 25 miles.
A single battery, when the march is a long one, will do well to trot
occasionally; so doing shortens the road and greatly relieves man and
horse. If the country is undulating, the platoons should march with
considerable distance between them, and the trot should be taken up by
each in succession on arrival at the level ground where the preceding
platoon began to increase its pace. The walk should be resumed in the
same manner.
When marching with other troops, these liberties cannot be taken, and
the walk is, with rare exceptions, the gait used. In rapid marches the
slow trot alternates with the walk.
When the services of artillery are urgently needed, it may be required
to trot four or five miles without breaking the gait.
Long marches or expeditions should be begun moderately, particularly
with new horses. Ten or twelve miles a day is enough for the first
marches, which, on good roads, may be increased to 20 or 25 miles
when necessary, after the horses are inured to their work. Should
the march be continued for a long period, at least one day in seven
should be devoted to rest. It is also important that the horses and
equipments be thoroughly inspected at least once a week. On ordinary
roads horse-artillery with cavalry marches usually at the rate of 4 or
5 miles an hour. Field-batteries, by themselves, can march 3½ to 4
miles an hour on a good road, but on heavy or hilly roads, or when
the battery forms part of a column, the rate of progress will depend
entirely upon circumstances. Should a long march be made, the horses
should be fed on the road; ordinarily watering will be sufficient. In
very hot weather frequent watering will be advisable. To keep horses in
condition, it is essential that they should be in no wise stinted of
water. No matter how warm a horse is six to ten swallows of water will
not hurt him.
Always march with a feed of grain; if not used on the road, it enables
the horses to be fed as soon after arriving in camp as desirable.
Horses should be arranged in teams, as far as possible, so as to be of
uniform pace in walking, and of similar disposition.
On long marches it may be advisable to change the near and off horses
days about. Drivers should be required to ride off horses during part
of each day's march; and, unless the entire battery be dismounted by
order of the captain, all mounted men and cannoneers will ordinarily be
permitted to mount and dismount at will when the battery is moving at a
walk on level ground.
Cannoneers of field-batteries should always walk up and down hill.
The care of horses on the march is one of the most important duties of
an artillery officer; by constant attention on the part of the captain,
chiefs of platoon, and chiefs of section many horses that would
otherwise be disabled for months may be kept in serviceable condition.
The men must not be allowed to lounge in their saddles, which leads to
galls, and the drivers should be made to pay continual attention to
their driving, and see that every horse does his fair share of work.
The lead-drivers of each team must keep their distance from the team
in their front; swing-drivers must keep the traces to their front
stretched, and the wheel-drivers those to their front.
Have the wheels greased daily, and oil the bearing of the lunette on
the pintle-hook.
Grease on the soles of horses' hoofs prevents snow from balling.
On starting from camp the first two miles should be made at an easy
walk; a halt of from 10 to 15 minutes should then be made to allow
the men to relieve themselves and to rearrange harness, after which a
halt of from 5 to 10 minutes is made at the end of every hour for the
purpose of adjusting harness, tightening girths, etc. When troops march
for the greater part of the day, a halt of about an hour is usually
made about noon. At each halt pole-props will be let down; collars
unlocked and thrown back on the saddle or withers, and cleaned if
necessary; saddles replaced if they have moved; cinchas tightened if
necessary, and horses' feet examined.
The march is usually in column of sections; when practicable, it
will be in column of platoons at close intervals; but the front of
the column must not be frequently diminished or increased, as this
unavoidably adds to the fatigue of the horses, particularly of those
in rear. The column of platoons should not be used when it fills the
road from side to side so as to prevent the passage of carriages,
staff-orderlies, etc.
A non-commissioned officer may be sent forward to reconnoitre the road
or ground that the battery is to pass over.
The distance of two yards between carriages is maintained, except in
bad or difficult ground, when it may be increased to four or more
yards. The strictest attention should be paid by the chiefs of platoon
and of section to the preservation of distances, which should not
be increased more than is absolutely necessary. The leading guide
should maintain a slow and steady walk, and under no circumstances
is a carriage to move at a trot without the orders of the battery
commander; when necessary to close up, it should be done at a quick
walk; no practice is more fatiguing to horses and injurious to their
shoulders than the alternate trotting and walking so often seen at the
rear of a column.
If the leading carriage is temporarily stopped for any cause, the rear
carriages should, if practicable, draw up alongside each other, in
order to avoid or diminish as much as possible any check to the column.
Chiefs of platoons must never be permitted to leave their platoons to
march at the head of the column; when not marching at the rear of their
platoons, they will halt frequently to see that their carriages are
well up and marching properly.
Chiefs of platoon and of section, without waiting for express
instructions, give such orders as may be necessary for helping horses
out of difficulty, for the passage of obstacles, etc.; the cannoneers
assist at the piece or caisson as may be required.
A small bunch of bale-wire, in lengths of from one to two feet, if
carried by each chief of section in his saddle-pouch, is very useful
for temporary repairs of harness.
If the ruts be very deep, the carriages quarter the road, unless it
be very narrow and sunken; in this case the horses will be left to
themselves and not hurried; a skilful driver can help his horses
greatly, particularly the wheelers.
When water-call is sounded, the chiefs of section, under the
supervision of the chiefs of platoon or of the first sergeant, have
the watering-buckets taken off the carriages, and their horses watered
without confusion. When water is very scarce, the nostrils may be
sponged, which gives great relief, particularly in hot weather, when it
is not possible to let the horses drink.
Toward the close of the march an officer or non-commissioned officer
may be sent forward to select a camp-ground. The last two miles or more
should be made at a walk, and the horses brought into camp without
excitement.
Upon the arrival of the battery in camp damages must be repaired
without delay, horses shod, wheels and pintles greased, etc. On the
march artificers and cooks should always ride, or be mounted on the
chests; if fatigued from marching, they cannot be expected to work
efficiently after getting into camp.
The march of larger bodies of artillery is conducted on the same
principles. A long column cannot move as rapidly as a small one, and at
the same time preserve equal order; an allowance is therefore made for
every column proportionate to its length.
When the roads are good, or even tolerable, the artillery is always
obliged to wait for the infantry, which is attended with much
additional fatigue to the horses, from having the harness so much
longer on them. Likewise, when the roads are at all bad, artillery can
only keep up with cavalry, when the latter are marching at the ordinary
rate, by forcing their horses too much and wearing them out very
rapidly. When, therefore, there is no danger, the artillery should be
allowed to march by itself so as to regulate its own rate of march.
Chiefs of section should carry nippers in their saddle-pouches to cut
wire fences if necessary.
ACCIDENTS TO CARRIAGES.
When an accident happens to a carriage, it is pulled out of the
column, if possible, so as not to interrupt the march; otherwise the
carriages in rear pass it by the most convenient flank, and close to
proper distance. The disabled carriage resumes its place as soon as the
damage is repaired. If the road be narrow, it must fall into the first
interval it finds, and regain its proper place as soon as the ground
permits. If a field-piece is disabled, the cannoneers left to repair
it, who cannot be carried on the limber-chest, mount on the axle-seats
and off horses whenever the piece takes the trot to regain its place.
If a caisson is disabled, the caisson corporal and the men necessary to
repair it are left with it.
When a piece and its carriage are overturned, it is better to disengage
the piece by letting the breech rest on the ground, or on a block of
wood, and then raise the muzzle with a handspike while the cap-squares
are taken off; the carriage is then righted and the piece mounted.
To right the carriage without disengaging the piece, detach the
limber, secure the cap-squares, and lash the breech to the stock;
place the middle of a rope over the nave of one wheel, pass the ends
of it downward between the lower spokes of that wheel, then under the
carriage, through the corresponding spokes of the other wheel, and then
upward over the wheel and across the top of the carriage to the side
where it was first attached. The ends of the rope and the wheel to be
raised are then manned and the carriage pulled over, two men being
required to steady the trail. If necessary, the ends of the rope may
be fastened to the limber, and horses used to assist in righting the
carriage.
Light carriages may be righted by hand without using a rope.
=To Remove a Gun and Carriage; Carriage Disabled.=--Dismount the gun;
remove the horses and run the limber over the gun, so that the breech
may be towards the pole and the trunnions under the pintle-hook; place
a handspike in the bore and raise it; sling gun with prolonge; carry
prolonge in rear of one trunnion, and in front of the other, round the
pintle-hook, and pass the end forward; take a half-hitch round the
breech and secure firmly around the fork, bearing down on the muzzle
until the breech is secured. Replace cap-squares; remove wheels; turn
over carriage and place it on the limber-chest. This is done by having
trail, pointing towards the limber, lifted up from the front. Place
wheels, dish down, on top of carriage, and lash all firmly together,
the trail being lashed to a handspike in the bore of the gun.
If the caisson be present, place the carriage on it, removing the spare
wheel and raising the carriage, trail first, from the rear.
=To Disable a Field-gun.=--Open the breech-block and then break it with
a heavy hammer; or load the piece, close the breech without locking it,
and fire the piece; or place two or three blank cartridges in the gun,
close and lock the breech-block, ram in from the muzzle a ball of clay
or sod; then unlock the breech-block and fire; or fire a shotted gun
with its muzzle against the chase of another.
Guns of the Krupp system may be temporarily disabled by carrying off
the breech-block, or breaking off its handle.
ASCENTS.
After pulling up a short, steep hill the horses should be halted to
recover their wind. When this cannot be done, they will move very
slowly.
In going up a difficult hill the carriages may be halted to rest the
horses by bringing them across the declivity and locking the limbers or
chocking the wheels, or by putting on the brake to the rear; for this
purpose it may be expedient to start the sections or platoons from the
bottom in succession, leaving a distance of 20 or 30 yards between the
different portions of the column.
If the draught be so difficult that the teams are liable to stall, the
carriages in rear are halted, and the lead-and swing-horses of the rear
half of the carriages can be taken out and hitched to the leading half;
when these have been taken through, all the horses, except the wheel,
will be taken back, and the rear carriages brought up. As it is very
hard to make the horses pull together, not more than five pairs can be
hitched with effect to a single carriage.
DESCENTS.
The drivers never dismount going down hill; the wheel-driver holds his
near horse well in hand, and his off horse very short. Two cannoneers
may be mounted on each gun-carriage and caisson to apply the brakes. In
the absence of instructions from higher authority the chief of carriage
directs whether the brakes are to be applied to a particular wheel or
to both. The brakes are easily applied and removed, and a judicious use
of them will save the horse much fatigue and prevent sore necks and
shoulders. If the descent be very steep, the sectional picket-line may
be used by the cannoneers to hold back; in this case the wheel-horses
only remain hitched to the carriage, the others being led in rear.
MOVING ALONG DECLIVITIES.
If a carriage have to move along a declivity so steep that a slight
jolt may overturn it, the wheels are locked, the sectional picket-line
fastened to the top of the upper wheel and held by two or three
cannoneers, who march on the upper side of the slope.
DITCHES.
If the ditch be wide and deep, the prolonge is fixed and the handspike
turned over on the flask and secured, the team is halted on the edge,
and the piece run by hand close to the limber, which then moves slowly
until the piece reaches the bottom of the ditch, when it moves quickly
until the piece is out. If the ditch be deep and narrow, it may be
necessary to cut down the edges and hold back with the sectional
picket-line; should the trail sink into the ground in passing over, it
is disengaged with a handspike or by fastening a prolonge to it.
In passing shallow ditches, drains, or deep furrows the carriages must
cross them obliquely.
MOVING OVER MARSHY GROUND.
Each carriage moves at a distance of 10 to 12 yards from the one
preceding it to avoid having to halt; officers or non-commissioned
officers are posted at the worst places to instruct the drivers how
to conduct their teams. The horses must pull freely and quicken the
gait; if the ground be very miry, it may be necessary to assist with
sectional picket-lines, or even to use them alone, the teams crossing
separately.
CROSSING FORDS AND STREAMS.
If the ford be not well known, it must be examined and the dangerous
places marked before the carriages attempt to cross.
If the water be deep and the current strong, great care is necessary.
The men are instructed to keep their eyes fixed on some object on the
opposite bank which marks the place of exit; they must not look at
the stream, and they move rather against the current, so as to better
resist its power.
If the ford have a bad bottom and the banks be difficult, the teams are
strengthened by adding pairs; an officer or non-commissioned officer
is posted at the entrance to regulate the distance between carriages
and to instruct the drivers how to proceed; a second officer or
non-commissioned officer is posted at the exit to direct the drivers
how to leave the ford.
The management of the team is the same as in crossing marshy ground;
the horses must not be allowed to halt or trot either in passing the
ford or leaving it, unless the stream be neither deep nor very rapid;
in this case the carriages may be halted to let the horses drink, or at
least to give them a mouthful of water.
Upon reaching the opposite bank the leading carriages are halted after
they have moved far enough forward to leave room for the carriages in
rear.
If the chests be not water-tight and are at the usual height of two
feet and ten inches above the ground, a ford deeper than two feet four
inches cannot be crossed without danger of wetting the ammunition.
If the chests be water-tight or means have been taken to raise them
high enough, a depth of 3⅓ feet may be safely attempted.
When the ford is deeper than this, the cannoneers must carry over the
cartridges, fuzes, and primers in the pouches, which they hold above
the water. The chests are sometimes removed and taken over in boats. In
crossing streams that cannot be forded, when there are no bridges, the
horses are swum, and the carriages and harness crossed on rafts, etc.
PASSAGE OF MILITARY BRIDGES.
At the entrance of the bridge the lead-and swing-drivers dismount
and lead their pairs. A distance of 12 yards is taken between the
carriages, and the gait is free and decided; the drivers keep the
carriages as near the middle of the floor as possible. If the flooring
be wet, battens should be nailed across it to keep the horses from
falling. If the bridge begins to rock, the passage of the column is
suspended.
In passing over a flying bridge all the drivers dismount and hold their
horses; the lead-and swing-horses should be taken out and led onto the
bridge or boat; the brakes should be applied to the rear, so that the
carriage cannot be run back.
PASSAGE ON ICE.
Ice 3 or 4 inches thick will bear infantry.
Ice 4½ inches thick will bear light guns or cavalry.
Ice 6 inches thick will bear heavy field-guns.
FACING A BATTERY TO THE REAR ON A NARROW ROAD.
All the carriages are moved close to one side of the road, and the
pieces and caissons unlimbered and brought about; the limbers then take
their places in front of their carriages by an about, and the carriages
are limbered up; if there be not room for the limbers to execute an
about, the horses are taken out.
If the road be so narrow that the limbers cannot pass the carriages,
the trails of the pieces and the stocks of the caissons are carried
around until perpendicular to the road, and are then placed against the
bank, the wheels being run close to it; on an embankment, or a road
with ditches on each side, the carriages are run as close to the edge
as possible, the wheels chocked or locked, and the trails and stocks
held up while the limbers pass.
THE ODOMETER.
The odometer registers the number of revolutions of the wheel to which
it is attached. The distance measured by the odometer is not exact,
owing to the slip of the wheel.
=To Read the Odometer.=--Lift the reading-circle from its box and note
the number on the inner wheel to the left of the zero; this will be the
first two figures of the reading, and the number on the outer wheel to
the left of the pointer will be the next two.
=To Measure a Distance with the Odometer.=--Tie the case by its straps
to a spoke close to the hub of a hind wheel of any vehicle attached to
the command. Upon starting read the odometer and record the reading.
At the end of the course again record the odometer-reading. The
difference between the two readings multiplied by the circumference
of the wheel will give the distance passed over. And in general, the
difference between any two readings, multiplied by the circumference
of the wheel which bears it will give the development of the path
traversed by the wheel between the points at which the readings were
taken.
CAMPS AND CAMPING
SELECTION OF CAMPS.
Avoid camping or bivouacking in graveyards. Get as far to windward of
them as possible.
Avoid ground that has been encamped on before, and if obliged to camp
near it go to windward of old site. Avoid all rivers with marshy banks,
and marshes of every description. If obliged to camp with a small force
for a day or two near a marsh, if possible place yourself so as to
have a hill or even some rising ground or woods between you and it.
In camping near a stream cross it before making camp if possible and
select a rise of ground near by. Low ground is unhealthy. All brushwood
should be avoided, as also forests lately cut down.
A grass country with a sandy or gravelly subsoil is best; land with a
clayey subsoil is damp.
There should be good natural drainage, and the location should be near
fuel, water, and the road.
LAYING OUT THE CAMP.
Having fixed on the general plan of a camp, lay out the lines the tents
are to occupy, and drive pegs to mark the position of the tent-poles or
the centre of each tent. For wall-tents the distance between tent-poles
of adjacent tents should be at least 20 feet.
CAMPING.
On arriving in camp park the battery with sufficient intervals to allow
each horse at least a yard and a half on the picket-line, and have the
wagons take positions most favorable for unloading.
The sections of picket-rope are usually stretched along the spare
wheels of the caissons by cannoneers under supervision of the gunners.
Then the cannoneers, while drivers are unharnessing, etc., are told
off into detachments, each under a non-com. officer when necessary,
for unloading wagons, pitching tents, obtaining wood and water, and
preparing latrines.
The drivers as soon as dismounted are directed to unhitch, and if the
animals are sufficiently cool they should be watered and fed.
Examine feet, sponge eyes and nostrils, remove harness, and tie to
picket-line. As soon as the harness has been removed pass the hand
carefully over the horse's shoulders and back, and if there be any
indication of a hard lump it should be at once hand-rubbed. Horses
should be permitted to roll if backs be dry, as it is very restful to
them. Leave blanket, secured by surcingle, on horse's back until dry
if necessary. After two hours sound stables, at which the battery and
platoon commanders should be present, and let the men get to work on
their horses; a good rubbing-down is all that is necessary, without the
elaborate grooming required in garrison.
Collar-galls and girth-galls should be kept wet with salt and water,
and saddle-galls have a cloth wetted in the same manner kept on them.
Or wash the galled spot and then cover it with a powder formed of 1
part iodoform and 3 parts sulphur. When the animal has to be used,
cover it after dressing with a piece of old-fashioned sticking-plaster.
Should a riding-or draught-horse get a sore back, he may be used as an
off leader or swing-horse. The saddle should be removed and the crupper
connected to the collar by a back-strap. Breast-harness may be used on
a horse with a collar-gall.
As a rule, horses should not be unharnessed at night in the presence
of an active enemy; they should be tied closely together, tails to the
wind, and should be shifted day or night to prevent their being head to
the wind.
=To Unharness in the Field.=--If harness-racks be not used, the
pole-prop is placed under the end of the pole; the single-trees are
left attached to the double-trees; the wheel-traces are unhitched from
the collars only, and laid over the chest from front to rear, or on the
foot-board; the collars of the wheel-team on top of the limber-chest
(paulins having been removed) next to the rail on the near side, the
swing-collars in the middle, and the lead-collars next to the off-side
rail; the collar of the off horse is placed on top of that of the near
horse of the same team; the remainder of the harness is placed on the
pole, that of the near wheel-horse next to the double-tree and as close
to it as possible, next that of the off wheel-horse, and then the
swing-and after that the lead-harness, both in the order laid down for
the wheel-harness; the traces of the lead-and swing-harness (folded
once) are laid over the pole; then on top of them the saddles with the
attachments over them, so as not to rest on the ground. The neck-yoke
is placed on the foot-board.
Figs. 77 and 78 represent the ordinary methods of encampment. These
methods are modified to suit the circumstances and nature of the ground.
_First Method._--The battery is parked with 15 yards interval between
carriages. The extra caissons, the battery-wagon and forge, and the
artillery-wagon are in a third line behind the caissons.
The harness of each team is arranged on the carriage.
The picket-line is 15 yards in rear of the caissons; it is either
stretched between posts about 6 feet high or between caissons, or laid
on the ground and secured by pins. When the ground picket-line is used,
the end pins should be at least 1 inch in diameter and 3 feet long, and
to lessen the danger of their being pulled up no horse should be tied
nearer than 12 feet from them; a sufficient number of smaller pins,
about ¾ of an inch in diameter and 2 feet long, are used between the
end pins to keep the line straight and prevent it from swaying. The
pins should be of iron with steel heads and points. The horses are
secured to the ground-line by hobbles, or by hitching-straps if long
enough to prevent constraint to the horses. The ground picket-line
should not be used unless the earth is sufficiently firm to hold the
pins securely.
[Illustration: FIG. 77.]
The men's tents are pitched in line, about 30 yards in rear of the
picket-line; the first sergeant's tent covers the carriages of the
right section; the left guard-tent covers the carriages of the left
section; the tents of each section are in the order of their pieces in
park, and are closed to the centre, or to the right, so as to have a
vacant space between the guard-tents and the tents of the left section.
The men's kitchens are in line, 10 yards in rear of the guard-tents,
which may be faced to the right, so that No. 1 can overlook the
kitchen.
The officers' tents are in line, 30 yards in rear of the battery
tents; the captain's tent on the right, covering that of the first
sergeant. The officers' kitchens are 10 yards in rear of their tents.
The baggage-wagons are in line 30 yards in rear of the officers' tents.
The sinks are 50 yards in rear of the wagons; the officers' sink on the
right, the men's sink on the left.
When time permits, the rows of tents are ditched, and a shallow ditch 8
inches in depth made around each tent; and these should lead into other
and deeper drains or gutters by which the water will be conducted away
from the tents. No refuse, slops, or excrement should be allowed to be
deposited in the trenches for drainage around tents.
On arriving in camp sinks should be dug at once, unless the march is to
be resumed on the following morning; the sinks are concealed by tents
or brush when practicable, and must be covered daily with fresh earth.
A small sink should be dug near the kitchen as a receptacle for all
cooking refuse; the old kitchen sink should be filled up and the earth
well rammed down over it, and a new sink opened every two or three days.
Paulins are used to protect the guns, carriages, and harness, and also
to serve as cover for the men when necessary. The paulin is 12 feet
square, is provided with double cords at each corner and at the middle
of each side. Each carriage has two paulins, which are carried on the
limber-chests. For protection of material the paulins are placed over
the carriage as follows: Tie a corner of one of the paulins over the
muzzle, pull the canvas over the gun-wheels and tie diagonal corner to
the flask, tie a corner of the second paulin to the flask, pull the
canvas over the wheels of the limber and tie the diagonal corner to
the pole in front of the harness. The caisson is covered in a similar
manner by its two paulins.
_Second Method._--The baggage-wagons may be in line with the pieces,
the interval between the left baggage-wagon and nearest piece being
about 50 yards; the guard-tents half-way between the pieces and the
baggage-wagons, facing to the rear; the forage-pile between the
guard-tents and baggage-wagons; the men's kitchens in line with
the third line of caissons, and covering the left baggage-wagon;
the officers' tents on a line perpendicular to the men's tents,
facing them, and on the prolongation of one of the baggage-wagons;
the officers' kitchen in rear of the officers' tents, and on the
prolongation of the right baggage-wagon.
[Illustration: FIG. 78.]
If the forge-fire is to be lighted, a special place is assigned
the battery-wagon and forge, sufficiently removed from the
ammunition-chests for safety.
In a horse-battery two picket-lines may be used instead of one, the
second line being 15 yards in rear of the first.
ENCAMPMENT OF A BATTALION OF LIGHT ARTILLERY.
On approaching the site previously selected for the encampment of the
battalion the adjutant assembles the guidons, and conducts them to
the camping-ground, and establishes each one at the point where the
lead-team on the interior flank of his battery is to rest. After all
are established he returns to the column, and indicates to each battery
commander how and where his battery shall be parked.
The guidons are established with a distance between them of 94 yards
(when there are two lines of carriages with 6 horses each, and the
picket-line is in rear of the park), the guidon of the second battery
in the column of march that day being placed at the head of the line,
and so on, the guidon of the leading battery being last. The tent
of the battalion commander is at a point 60 yards from the line of
guidons, and on a perpendicular line passing 17 yards in rear of
the second guidon, for an encampment of 2 or 3 batteries; and in a
corresponding position in rear of the third guidon for an encampment of
4 batteries.
When the captain commands "_Front!_" after parking his battery, the
guidon moves 75 yards to the rear and 30 yards to the flank, and plants
his flag. This point establishes the position of the captain's tent.
The battery-officers' tents are on a line, at intervals of 5 yards,
facing the interior flank, the captain's tent being nearest the guidon.
The officers' mess-tent, of the batteries to the right of the battalion
commander, is 10 yards in rear of the tent of the lieutenant on the
flank. For batteries to the left of the battalion commander it is 10
yards in rear of the tent of the captain.
Officers' kitchens are five yards in rear of mess-tents.
In each battery:
The picket-line is 15 yards in rear of the line of carriages.
The tents for the enlisted men are 30 yards in rear of the picket-line,
that of the first sergeant being on the interior and the guard-tent on
the exterior flank.
The cooks' tent is next to the guard-tent, the other tents being
equally distributed along the line.
The forage is 15 yards from the exterior flank, on the prolongation of
the picket-line.
The sinks are 90 yards from the forage, on the prolongation of the
picket-line.
The kitchens are on the line of the tents and 30 yards from the
guard-tent.
The tents of the battalion commander and staff are arranged, at
intervals of 5 yards, on a line facing the interior flank.
The mess-tent is on the flank nearest the front of the park, and the
tents of the adjutant, quartermaster, and surgeon are on the other
flank of the tent of the battalion commander.
Non-commissioned staff-officers' and orderlies' tents are on a line 15
yards in rear of the staff-tents.
The cook-tent is 5 yards to the rear of the outer flank of the
mess-tent.
The staff-wagons are on a line 15 yards in rear of the non-commissioned
staff tents, the forage-and guard-tents being near either flank.
Officers' sinks are on a line 60 yards in rear of the staff tents.
The position of the kitchens may be varied, depending on the direction
of the wind and lay of the ground.
If the camp be established for more than a few days, the batteries
will be parked in positions corresponding to the ones they occupy at
battalion formation.
BIVOUACS.
The men bivouac at a convenient distance in rear of the park, each
detachment opposite its section; the guard is on one flank and to
the leeward; the cook-fires are near the guard. If necessary, the
picket-line may be stretched through the hind wheels of the carriages
of the third line, but whenever practicable the picket-line should be
stretched along the ground or between trees or posts.
A simple shelter may be formed by driving two forked sticks into the
ground, with a pole resting in the forks, and branches laid resting
on the pole, thick ends uppermost, at an angle of 45 degrees, and the
screen completed with smaller branches; or a shelter of canvas or a
blanket may be similarly made.
Each man should strew his sleeping-place with dried leaves, etc., and
place over it any articles such as bags, saddle-cloths, etc. A small
hollow should be scraped in the ground just where the hip would rest.
TENTS.
The =Hospital Tent=, complete, weighs 215 lbs., and consists of one
tent, 100 lbs.; one fly, 32 lbs.; one set tent-poles, 60 lbs.; 18 large
and 28 small tent-pins, 23 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 14 feet; height, 11 feet; width,
14½ feet; height of wall, 4½ feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 for battery sick.
The =Conical Wall-tent=, complete, weighs 128 lbs., and consists of one
tent, 76 lbs.; one tent-pole and tripod, 32 lbs.; 48 tent-pins, 20 lbs.
Its dimensions are: height, 10 feet; diameter, 16½ feet; height of
wall, 3 feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 to 20 foot or 17 mounted men.
The =Wall-tent=, complete, weighs 97 lbs., and consists of one tent,
43 lbs.; one fly, 15 lbs.; one set of poles, 25 lbs.; 10 large and 18
small tent-pins, 14 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 9 feet; height, 8½ feet; width,
8 feet 11 inches; height of wall, 3 feet 9 inches.
Authorized allowance, 1 to captain, 1 to 2 subalterns.
The =Common Tent=, complete, weighs 51 lbs., and consists of one tent,
26 lbs.; one set of poles, 15 lbs.; 24 pins, 10 lbs.
Its dimensions are: length of ridge, 6 feet 11 inches; height, 6 feet
10 inches; width, 8 feet 4 inches; height of wall, 2 feet.
Authorized allowance, 1 to 6 foot or 4 mounted men.
The =Shelter-tent= (2 halves) weighs a little over 5 lbs., and the 8
pins 1½ lbs.; total, 6.5 lbs.
Each half is 67 inches by 65 inches.
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.
If straw be plentiful, issue enough to make good thick mats for the men
to lie on. They are easily made and most comfortable. They should be
hung up to dry every day. They should be 3 inches to 4 inches thick, 6
feet long, and about 2¼ feet wide.
[Illustration: FIG. 79.]
Every morning, except when it rains, have the sides of tents rolled up
all around, and in fine weather strike tents frequently; it is good
practice for the men; they should regularly pack them up as if for a
march. This is also advisable as a sanitary measure, so that the ground
where the tent usually stands can be well dried by the sun. Blankets
and bedding should be frequently aired and exposed to the sun. Do not
permit grass or green leaves to be used for beds in tents, but use
straw when it can be obtained. Each tent should be thoroughly swept out
daily, and at night properly ventilated, the walls being raised if the
weather permits.
TO STRIKE A TENT.
The men take their posts and first remove the wall-pins and then all
the guy-pins on their respective sides, except the four corner pins of
the square tents, or the quadrant-pins of the conical tents.
Standing at their respective posts, they remove the corner, or
quadrant, guys from the pins and hold the tent until the signal for
striking is given, when the tent is lowered to the side indicated.
The canvas is then rolled up and tied by Nos. 1 and 4, while Nos. 2 and
3 fasten the poles, or tripod and pole, together, and collect the pins.
HEATING TENTS.
The Sibley stove, for conical and wall tents, weighing about 19 pounds,
is issued by the Q. M. Dept., and is very necessary in cold weather. It
is easily put up and requires very little fuel.
For ordinary weather an officer can make himself very comfortable by
means of a small oil-stove, one or two wicks. Have a box in which it
fits exactly made for transporting it, and take along a tin of oil.
CAMP COOKING.
A field-kitchen is easily made by digging a long trench for the fire,
its width not being sufficient for the kettles, which are placed on it,
to drop into it, and covering up between them with stones and clay,
that the fire, fed from the windward end, may draw right through. A
chimney, formed with the sods cut off the top of the trench, can be
built at the other end to increase the draught.
Three such trenches meeting under one chimney form a broad-arrow
kitchen. The centre trench is traced in the direction from which the
wind is blowing, the other two making angles of 40 to 45 degrees with
it. The width of the trenches is 9 inches, reduced to 6 inches when
they pass under the base of the chimney, and widened at their mouths
to produce a draught. The depth is one foot at the base of chimney
and 14 inches at the other end, or one foot throughout if the ground
falls at the mouth of the trench. A field-kitchen is easily made of two
logs rolled nearly together in the direction of the wind, and the fire
kindled between them.
The Buzzacott field-oven is excellent, as is also the ordinary Dutch
oven. They are furnished on requisition by the Quartermaster's
Department.
=To Make Field-ovens.=--Take any barrel (the more iron hoops on
it the better), the head being out; lay it on its side, having scraped
away the ground a little in the centre to make a bed for it; or if
there is a bank near excavate a place for it, taking care that the
front end of the barrel is at least 6 inches back from the foot of
the bank. Cover it with a coating of about 6 or 8 inches of wet earth
or thick mud, except at the open end, which is to be the mouth of the
oven. Pile up some sand or earth to the thickness of about 6 inches
over the mud, arranging for an opening 3 inches in diameter being left
as a flue (to increase the draught) to lead from the upper side of the
barrel, at the far end, through the mud and earth. This flue is only
left open when the fire for heating is burning; when bread is put in,
it should be covered over. Form an even surface of well-kneaded mud
at the bottom within the barrel to form a flooring to place the bread
on. Light a fire within the barrel and keep it up until the staves are
burnt, and the oven is then completed. When required for use, heat it
as if it were an ordinary oven; draw out ashes; put in bread, and close
the mouth with pieces of board, tin, or iron.
The Subsistence Department issues an excellent pamphlet on army cooking.
DRINKING-WATER.
The water should be well tested, and persons living near by questioned
about it.
[Illustration: FIG. 80.]
=Filters.=--Two barrels (Fig. 80), one inside the other, having a space
of from 4 to 6 inches clear all round between them filled with layers
of gravel, sand, and charcoal, form an excellent filter. The inside
one, without a bottom, rests on three stones placed in layers of sand,
charcoal, and coarse gravel. The water flows into the space between the
barrels and forces its way through the gravel, charcoal, and sand into
the inner barrel. Or they may be placed as in Fig. 81 and connected by
a pipe.
[Illustration: FIG. 81.]
If the water is from a small spring gushing up out of the earth,
perforate the bottom of the outer barrel with a number of holes, and
leave the bottom to the inner barrel, which should be pierced with
holes round its sides near the top.
In both these filters draw off the water by a pipe running through the
outer into the inner barrel.
Allow eight pints per man in hot and six in temperate climates for
cooking and drinking, and a similar amount for washing. In stationary
camps allow 5 gallons per man for all purposes.
LOG HUTS.
Good huts to last for years are quickly made of logs placed one
over the other, being notched half their respective thicknesses at
the angles so as to fit one into the other. Moss is driven into the
interstices. A roof is put on of split logs, gouged out in the centre,
so that each is like a long curved gutter. A layer of these is placed
side by side, with the hollow side uppermost, one end resting on the
ridge-pole, the other on the walls. A second layer is put over them
with the hollow side down. A large split log, well hollowed out, is
used as a ridge-piece. Cowdung mixed with water and well plastered
over mud walls or floors renders them hard, tough, and less subject to
injury from weather. A thin coating of this applied every day to the
earthen floors of huts adds much to the appearance of cleanliness.
In planning huts give sufficient width for two rows of beds and a
passage down the centre. A width of at least 6 feet should be allowed
for each row of beds, and the passage may be from 2 to 4 feet wide.
BREAKING CAMP.
Ordinarily camp should not be broken before daybreak, as horses rest
better from midnight until dawn than at any other hour.
Ample time should be left after a seasonable reveille for the men to
breakfast, horses fed and the wagons to be packed.
Do not permit packing, pulling tent-pegs, or any noise before reveille.
Men should be permitted to rest until the last moment.
Immediately after reveille have drivers and such other men as may be
required feed and groom under supervision of the battery officer.
The grooming should consist in merely rubbing off the horses, and
seeing that shoulders, backs, and parts under harness are in good
condition and perfectly free from dirt. It is a mistake to groom too
much in the field. It is distasteful to men, and does not improve the
horses.
The other men should pack up, remove tent-pegs, and fold tents. Then
breakfast. After breakfast let the men complete their packing and
attend to personal requirements. Or tents may be left standing until
after breakfast, depending on weather or other conditions. Drivers
water and harness; cannoneers pack wagons and fill in sinks. Part of
the cannoneers should be detailed to assist the drivers if required.
In packing the wagons it is well to have one or two men in the wagon
who understand the work. Articles least required should be packed
first. Those required by the cooks should be packed so that they can be
easily gotten at immediately on reaching camp. When the camp has been
cleared, an officer should ride over it carefully, and see that all
tent-pins have been removed and no articles forgotten.
Signals for the performance of the various duties should be sounded by
the trumpeter at prescribed hours.
WAGONS.
On field marches two six-mule teams will readily carry the baggage and
ten days' rations of a battery (enlisted strength as now authorized,
viz., 75).
If grain is to be transported, two more six-mule teams will be required.
Battalion commander and staff, one four-mule team.
Medical department, one ambulance and possibly one four-mule team.
A good six-mule team in the best part of the season will haul a load
of 4000 pounds, marching with troops. It will haul 1400 short rations
of provisions--bread, coffee, sugar, salt, and soap--and eight days'
rations of forage for the six mules.
REMARKS ON PACKING WAGONS.
The reserve rations should be placed in first, as they are not required
to be taken out unless specially ordered. Then should come the tools
and any heavy packages, and on top the men's and officers' baggage. The
blankets should be rolled up together by tent-loads or section-bundles.
All grease, oil, and dubbing should be slung under the wagons.
The packing of the supply-wagons depends upon the nature of the
supplies. Care must be taken that bags containing grain or biscuits are
properly secured, and that, if fresh meat is carried, it is not exposed
to the sun on the march. Tents are kept in separate wagons if possible,
in order that they may be left behind when ordered without disarranging
the other stores. In packing tools care must be taken to prevent their
rattling on the march.
The following information obtained from orders of Army Commanders
during the Civil War may prove useful:
General McClellan, August 10, 1862, allowed three wagons to each
battery, and they carried nothing but forage for teams, cooking
utensils for the men, hospital stores, small rations, and officers'
baggage. At least one half of the wagons carried grain. Captains
and lieutenants were allowed a shelter-tent each, and to every two
enlisted men a shelter-tent. Men carried no baggage except blankets and
shelter-tents, and officers' baggage was limited to blankets, a small
valise or carpet-bag, and a reasonable mess-kit.
General Rosecrans, November 20, 1862, allowed each battery as many
wagons as there were guns in a battery.
General Sherman while marching from Atlanta to Savannah allowed each
battery one wagon.
General Grant, February 23, 1865, for each battery: for personal
baggage, mess-chests, cooking utensils, desks, papers, etc., one wagon;
two wall-tents for officers; shelter-tents, one for every two enlisted
men. The allowance of forage was: horses, 6 lbs. hay, 14 lbs. grain;
mules, 6 lbs. hay, 12 lbs. grain. On a march the grain ration was 10
lbs.
The following extract gives the minimum allowance with which the
commands in the Department of the Missouri were equipped and supplied
in 1885 for 20 days' field service:
Transportation for field-and staff-officers' baggage and supplies,
medical supplies, engineer and signal equipments and appliances to be
according to strength of command or nature and importance of service.
To a battalion of two companies, 1 four-mule ambulance.
The allowance of transportation per company is as follows:
To one troop of cavalry, with an average field strength of 2 officers,
50 men, 3 teamsters, and 2 packers, 3 six-mule teams, 10 pack-and 2
riding-mules.
To one company of infantry with an average field strength of 2
officers, 40 men, 1 teamster, and 2 packers, 1 six-mule team, 8
pack-and 2 riding-animals.
Included in above allowance is: 1 pack-mule per company for officers'
supplies, and 1 pack-mule per company or per one hundred men for
medical supplies.
Supplies to be carried in wagons per company are 20 days' field rations
per man (55 and 43 with companies).
100 rounds of ammunition per soldier (50 cavalry and 40 infantry).
250 lbs. officers' baggage and supplies.
1 wall and 1 common tent.
10 days' grain (6 lbs. per day per animal).
Utensils for each company mess not to exceed 130 lbs. for cavalry and
100 lbs. for infantry.
Horseshoes, nails, tools, and medicine for cavalry-horses not to exceed
150 lbs.
To each soldier or civilian employé, 2 blankets and 1 extra suit of
undergarments, compactly rolled in one piece of shelter-tent.
Whenever the amount of rations or grain varies from the above, the
weight to be carried per wagon may be increased or diminished, but
should never exceed 4000 lbs., and if possible should be less than 3500
lbs., per wagon.
When obtainable on line of march, full forage will be allowed all
animals, the cost to be regulated by the contract rates at the nearest
military post.
To be carried on the person or horse: 1 overcoat, 1 piece of
shelter-tent, 50 rounds rifle or carbine and 24 rounds of revolver
ammunition.
Supplies to be carried on pack-mules for one company will be:
10 days' field rations (three-tenths bacon) per man (55 and 43 with
companies); 100 rounds of ammunition per soldier.
The utensils for each company must not exceed 75 lbs. for the cavalry
and 50 lbs. for the infantry.
The weight per load per aparejo must never exceed 250 lbs., and should,
if possible, be less than 200 lbs.
When marching with pack-train, to be carried on person or horse:
1 blanket, 1 piece shelter-tent, 50 rounds of rifle or carbine
ammunition, and 24 rounds of revolver ammunition.
On leaving a military post when service is anticipated where it is
impossible to use wagons, the loads for pack-trains, as a rule, will
consist of only grain sufficient to keep the mules in full strength
until required to make forced marches.