The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-12 00:00:00

THE KNAPSACK.

Dr. Massey, Deputy Inspector-General of Hos-
pitals, and head of the sanitary branch of the Army
Medical Department, reports that the recommenda-
tions for carrying the knapsack and accoutrements,
contained in the second report of the committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the effect of the present
system of accoutrements and knapsacks on the health
of the infantry soldier, are likely to lead to changes
of an important character influencing the health,
comfort, and efficiency of the British soldier. The
plans which were recommenced are now undergoing
a careful trial, and there is every reason to hope
that a serviceable, easy, and, as far as health is con-
cerned, an unobjectionable mode of carrying the field
kit, great coat, canteen, and ammunition has been de-
vised. The Bohemian and Italian campaigns of 1866
proved, beyond dispute, that the conditions of
modern warfare demanded that the marching powers
and endurance of the soldier should not he lessened
by unnecessary weight or by a defective mode of
carrying the weight. The rapidity of fire under
the breech-loading system necessitates an increased
supply of ammunition, but this is in opposition
to any diminution of the weight to be carried
by the soldier. As the committee have deter-
mined that the soldier must carry a war kit, they
propose that it shall consist of one flannel shirt, one
pair of socks, one towel, one pair of boots or shoes,
one hold-all„ with comb, razor, soap, and brush,
one soft forage cap without any stiffening or
tuft, one brush, and one clasp knife in pocket. The
present field kit includes the above, and trousers and
blacking besides. With regard to ammunition,
while the committee think that on ordinary occasions
during war only 60 rounds should be carried, yet pro-
vision should be made for carrying 90 rounds on an
emergency. The weight that the soldier must carry,
irrespective of the apparatus itself or of the rifle, havre-
sack for provisions, water bottle, and blanket, will be
from about 201 b. to 231 b. —viz., kit, 61b. to 71b. ; great
coat, nearly 601 b ; 90 rounds of ammunition, 91b to
101 b.; canteen, lilb.; bayonet, 11b. On ordinary
occasions the weight would be considerably less. The
weight of the apparatus for carrying the above has
been reduced to about 41b. 3oz. instead of 101 b. 20z.,
which is the weight of the regulation pack and ac-
coutrements. The committee are convinced that the
best system for carrying the greater part of the bur-
den is the yoke principle, by which the weight is
brought fairly on to the shoulder blades, directly over
the centre of gravity. The yoke is made of leather
instead of metal. Instead of concentrating the weight
of the ammunition in a single pouch the committee
recommend several pouches, one or more of which
can be left off according to the amount required. A
large portion of the ammunition, moreover, is placed
in front, not only to distribute its weight, but be-
cause the breech loading system necessitates front
pouches to insure rapidity of firing. The proposed
pouches, two in number, long and narrow, and
made of soft leather, are to take the curve
of the body. They are carried, not by the
waistbelt, but by the yoke, so that the weight
is borne on the shoulders instead of by the
ribs and stomach. The ease with which 60 rounds
are carried in this way is said to be remarkable.
During peace the Committee propose that only one
pouch should be issued. When on active service
a second pouch—a supply of which would be in
store—could be issued ; and, as no other addition is
necessary, a few minutes would see a regiment
supplied with its war equipment. In addition to
these pouches, containing 30 rounds each in packets
of 10, a small bag, to contain 10 loose rounds, is
proposed by General Hay to be worn on the right
side, and in addition two small pouches, each to
contain 10 rounds, are placed on the bag which car-
ries the kit. Thus, the ammunition that can be
carried by the soldier in war is, 60 rounds in two
front pouches, 20 rounds in kit bag pockets, and 10
in expense bag. With reference to the question of
carrying the kit, the Committee point out the ob-
jections to the framed knapsack, and the more the
point was considered the more convincing was the
fact that the true plan was to place the kit low
down, so as leave the freest action to the muscles
moving the neck, shoulders, and shoulder-blades.
The Committee finally adopted a bag which holds
easily the proposed kit, and will on emergency hold
the full field kit. The plan, so far as the yoke is
concerned, is identical in principle—though largely
altered in detail—with the valise proposed some years
ago by Sir Thomas Troubridge. The weight of the
bag is distributed in three directions. Its chief
weight is brought on the yoke, but it rests in part
on the sacrum, a strong connecting bone of the hips,
-and at pleasure it may almost be carried there to
relieve any pressure of the yoke. It is also strapped
to the waistbelt in front. Surplus articles may be
carried in equal bags as at present. The greatcoat
is to be folded on the back and attached to the yoke
by a strap, which will also carry the canteen. It
may be stated that one of the advantages of the
proposed system is that, when the front pouches
are full of ammunition, the principle of balance is
so brought into play that a considerable increase of
weight can be carried behind. The Committee
have not yet determined on the form of or the best
means to carry the havresack and water-bottle ;
the materials proposed to be used are good black
bridle leather for the yoke; for the pouch, good soft
bridle leather ; and for the bag, enamelled leather.

Six hundred negroes have engaged passages in the
American Colonisation Society's ship Golconda, to sail from
Charleston, South Carolina, for Monrovia on the 11th of
November.

All that is required to complete the Union Pacific
Railway is the loan of the Government credit (not the gift
of the Government money) to an amount the interest on
which is now required to support two and a half regiments
of cavalry on the plains. The building of the road will
dispense with the troops. Could there be any better public
economy than to return 2,500 soldiers to productive labour
in civil life, and lend on perfect security the principal of
the sum of which their pay and maintenance is the interest,
to be used in settling the rich Plains with farmers and
stock-raisers, and developing the wealth of New Mexico,
Southern Colorado, Northern Texas, Arizona,and Southern
California ? All this the Pacific Railway (Kansas branch)
when completed, and as it progresses, will surely accom-
plish, besides effectually and permanently settling the
Indian question.—New York Weekly Tribune.
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