Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army Part 5

Squad leaders are responsible that surplus kit bags are kept in order and fully packed in the field.[5] Men are allowed access to them for the purpose of making subst.i.tutions.

The surplus kits are packed in surplus kit bags, one for each squad, one for sergeants, and one for cooks and buglers.

The kit of each man will be packed as follows:

Stockings to be rolled tightly, one pair in the toe of each shoe; shoes placed together, heels at opposite ends, soles outward, wrapped tightly in underwear, and bundle securely tied around the middle by the extra pair of the shoe laces, each bundle to be tagged with the company number of the owner. These individual kits will be packed in the surplus kit bag in two layers of four kits each, the breeches and olive drab s.h.i.+rts to be neatly folded and packed on the top and sides of the layers, the jointed cleaning rod and case, provided for each squad, being attached by the thongs on the inside of the bag.

When overcoats or sweaters are not prescribed to be worn on the person they will be collected into bundles of convenient size and secured by burlap or other suitable material, or will be boxed. They will be marked ready for s.h.i.+pment to be forwarded when required.[5]

[Footnote 5: In campaign or simulated campaign, when an organization is restricted to its prescribed field-train transportation, surplus kits, overcoats, and sweaters are stored on the line of communications or other designated place with the permanent camp equipment of the organization.]

=Section 7. a.s.sembling equipment.=

TO MAKE THE BLANKET ROLL.

Spread the shelter half, triangular part to the right, b.u.t.tons underneath. Fold triangular part across shelter half, making a rectangle.

Fold blanket through center, parallel to stripes; fold again through center perpendicular to stripes. Lay folded blanket on shelter half, longer side of blanket parallel to and 1 inch from edge of shelter half opposite straps and equidistant from sides. Place tent, pole, folded, close to and parallel to near edge of blanket, end of pole flush with left side of blanket; pins and tent rope to be similarly placed at right side of blanket, occupying about the same s.p.a.ce as pole. Arrange the clothing and toilet articles on right and left sides of blanket, leaving center s.p.a.ce clear.

Fold the free portions of the right and left sides of shelter half over the blanket. Fold the far edge of the shelter half 6 inches toward the blanket, making a pocket.

With hands and knees roll the blanket and shelter half toward and into the pocket. Buckle straps around roll, strap buckles on line with shelter half b.u.t.tons.

ROLL THE OVERCOAT AND SLICKER.

Turn the garment inside out, collar extended, and fold once the long way. Roll tightly from the front edge, making roll the full length of garment.

TO PACK THE McCLELLAN SADDLE.

Put saddle pockets on saddle; fasten straps to cincha rings. Place articles pertaining to the man in near pocket, those pertaining to the horse in off pocket.

The overcoat, slicker, or both, to be strapped on pommel, collar to left.

Blanket roll to be strapped on cantle. Feed bag, if empty, neatly folded on top of roll, "U. S." up. If grain is carried, the grain bag is tied inside the feed bag, which is strapped on top of the pommel roll, above the overcoat or slicker.

Lariat, in uniform coils of about 10-inch diameter, fastened to near cantle ring by lariat strap fastened to one ring and pa.s.sing through the other; coil secured by two outside straps of saddle pocket flap.

To prevent flapping and injuring adjacent troopers and horses the picket pin may be inserted through the saddlebag strap ring, point downward, or it may be placed horizontally under the flap straps of the near saddlebag, point to the rear.

Canteen snapped into off cantle ring, canteen strap pa.s.sing through handle of cup, except the cup model 1910, which is fitted over the bottom of the canteen, model 1910, inside the cover.

Rifle on near side; saber on off side, attached to pommel ring.

The surcingle is buckled over the saddle. The two extra fitted horseshoes, one front and one hind, may be wired, one on bottom of each stirrup, or they may be fastened together with a nail and carried in off saddle pocket. To prevent rust the horseshoe nails should always be well oiled and wrapped in canvas or leather. They are carried in the off saddle pocket.

The two reserve rations, extra ammunition, and other extra articles should be so distributed between the two pockets as to balance the weight on the horse.

[Ill.u.s.tration: McCLELLAN SADDLE.

Full pack, near side.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: McCLELLAN SADDLE.

Full pack, off side.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: EQUIPMENT ARRANGED FOR INSPECTION.

The arrangement should be uniform in each regiment.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: SHELTER TENT AND EQUIPMENT ARRANGED FOR INSPECTION.

The arrangement should be uniform in each regiment.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE A.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE B.]

CHAPTER III.

RATIONS AND FORAGE.

=Section 1. The ration.=

A ration is the allowance of food for one man for one day.

In the field there are three kinds of rations issued, as follows:

The _garrison ration_ is intended to be issued in kind whenever possible. The approximate net weight of this ration is 4.5 pounds.

The _reserve ration_ is the simplest efficient ration, and const.i.tutes the reserve carried for field service. It consists of--

Ounces.

Bacon 12 Hard bread 16 Coffee, roasted and ground 1.12 Sugar 2.4 Salt .16 ------ Approximate net weight pounds 2

The _field ration_ is the ration prescribed in orders by the commander of the field forces. It consists of the reserve ration, in whole or in part, supplemented by articles requisitioned or purchased locally or s.h.i.+pped from the rear.

In campaign a command carries as a part of its normal equipment the following rations:

(_a_) On each man: At least two days' reserve rations.

(_b_) In the ration section of the field train, for each man: Two days' field and one day's reserve, and for each animal two days' grain rations.

(_c_) In the supply train: Of an infantry division, two days' field and grain rations.

Of a cavalry division, one day's field and grain rations.