Select a shoe of stout, soft leather, with a broad sole, and low heel. Prefer woolen socks. If the feet begin to chafe, rub the socks with common soap where they come in contact with the sore places. An old soldier drinks and eats as little as possible whilst marching. The commencement of the day's march should be prompt.
Nothing tires the men so much as hanging around a camp, waiting for the word to start.
After this there should be a halt of ten or fifteen minutes at the end of every hour, with a rest of twenty minutes in the middle of the day for lunch. A longer halt than this stiffens the men and renders subsequent marching difficult. The best rule is to get through the day's march, and rest in camp, if possible, by two o'clock, P.M. 32. In continuous marches, the leading companies should be alternated each day, as it is always less fatiguing to be in advance. At the close of a day's march every man should bathe his feet, and wash his stockings, and get his meal before lying down to rest, removing and changing the under-clothing, if wet.