New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-21

WARFARE. Even dark 6l0s makes clearly defined spot
upon the background Of an ordinary iandsaPe, sIu
when snow covers the ground, no cclor IL so dsuh. ~
visible Gray, light blue, brown, or yeil99w ae rsr
colors which are soonest lost IN en- ordinary Ps'
spective.
EXERCISE. ,n..
One who Is not familiar with the habits OF soiaoD a
might think it superluous to enjoin upon ' or
cessity of exercise; but during time VI Pn, In
whenever the in permanent ensa ~ he a con.
barracks, in cantonment, there IL lou roason IL
slant disposition to iDdolenoei and Tor 'n onS;t;on
we would keep them in healto, anu ;l. !. ;s neces-
for service, regular and systematic exercise Is
sary; ILL.,. ,v.rs exercised daily in the
Campus Nartias when it was isir a. ,oa
cover when it rained or showed Dy WIN IL
swavs in complete training for active service. How
much this systematic exercise Is worth, every eAPe
rienced officer well understands Inc men ouehs 'opo
summoned early in the mernlnS, ana DO IA
severe drill and Opce more or otener, during the gay
The drill should be repeated The exercise consisting
IN the use of their weapons in running jumping, leap
ing climbing, and, if possible, also in swimming In
short the troops should be daily practiced IN all those
exercises which might in any case prove useful IN
time of war. -
As far as practicable the same exercises should be
continued when soldiers being conveyed from one
post TO another upon transports
BARRACKS.
Barracks being intended for permanent occupancy,
especia care and Judgment should be exercised In the
selection of size and in their construction. IL n not
only necessary here regard the convenience TO wafer
and wood the accessibility for supplies, the character
of the soil in reference TO drainage, the elevation, e
vicnage 10 marshes and stagnant POOLS TO forests and
TO fallow 6elds-upon all of which points information
may be obtained by pereonal inspecuon-01I IL Is
proper also to ascertain by inquiry, especially from
medical men in the vicinity what diseases nave Deeh
known to prevail in that locality either conttanty,
annually, or at longer intervals; whether typhoid
fever intermittent evers, the yellow fever, the chol
era or eIidemc dysentery have ever existed In tht
neighborhood 1t is important to learn what are ihe
prevailing winds, and whetherthe groubd upon wlleh
the buildings are TO be erected is subject innndatons
or has ever been inundated. And II might sometimes
be well to ascertain whether musketoes, or other
troublesome or noxous meets might not al certain
seagnns render the post uninhabable For this cause,
Old Fort PonEett in Florida had TO be abandoned and
Assistant Surgeon Head reported Fort Cross as nearly
| untenable, in the Summer months, from the same
cause. ,,. -. ~
Ordinarily unless some special objection exists an
| elevated position will be preferred.
IL il the duty of the medical officers not only 10 aid
by their counsels and experience in the selection OF
site for the barracks but also In relation to their con-
Very few. except medical men, and not even medi-
cal men unless they paid especial attention TO The
subiect know much about the principles which ought
20 Govern in the construction OF building with view
n its ventilation and healthfolness. Private dwell
Enca school-rooms cOurt-rooms, halls for pubhc as
sembles PRISONS lums barracks, and hospitals are
constantly built, oftn at enormous expense, Win an
must be said that such disregard the rule, and tbe
reverse is the exception. a.,
Rarrscks ought TO be built Of stone, brick OF iron
wood should only be employed where the building Is
intended for temporary occupancy, when ,he more
substantial materials cannot be obtained The halls
and starways ought to be spacious, and all the ceilings
lofty a.,
and saifways constantly open TO the outside air by
having windows at each end Of the balls, extending
from the ceiling 10 the floor, and 30 constructed as 10
he aid u6 or down; but never allowing the sash 10
come quite down 10 the floor. Air may be admitted
ao through registers in the floor OF the ball from large
air trunks The air Of the hAls Ia then made 70 com.
m,p,cate with the wards by Venetian blinds over the
doors and by rot allowing the doors 70 reach quite TO
the floor; also by additional hoes near the floor COM
munieatina with the wards; and by holes near the
ceiling on the opposite sides OF the ward, which com
municate directly with the external air with tubes
which pass along under the ceiling and then enter the
ehinneys.
In this way by sending the currents Of air under the
beds the patients protected from direct draugdts
aud the ventilation is complete. When the air enters
under bedtesd it il forced oil sideways 20 as " diff
! fuse il more ehectu6lly. ..
Verandas should be constructed on each tide Of the
buidiag for the convenience Of convaesoents and In
| hot climates the sick often benefited by this ex
posure 10 pure air. Detached from the main build
ing should be wash room. The sinks should also he
ulaced remote from the barracks The cellars for veg
| eables ought not TO be underneath the main building
TIE interior walls should be whitewasbed o!ten and
1
queuy as NAV be necessary for the purposes OF clean
Iuess No doubt this practice has sometimes, especial
ly in cold seasons been carried 10 an injurious
extent, and especially have rheumatic patients been
made 10 safer from repeated exposures TO damp
Sometimes dry scrubbing can be properly snbetitu.
ted, or even a careful and thorough sweeping.
TROOPS UPON THE MARCH.
Fifteen miles per day is considered a fair average
for Inantry and, upon long marches, ten miles, IN:
clu.,na all the necessary delays, 10 accounted good
travelling. This will depend much, however, upon
the nature Of the country the season OF The year. as
well ss upon whether the troops are newly recruited
or old soldiers accustomed to hardships and " travel
Some Of the Longest marches Of infantry upon record
baye been made by American troops. During the first
wear of the Mexican war, Gen. Kearney wss placed
In command of the Army OF the WeSi, VITA M
structions TO conquer NewMexico aud California. lie
left Fort Leayenwortb, Kansas, in June aud after
Journey OF 900 miles the great plains and noun
tain ranges arrived at Santa fe the capitl OF New
Mexico on the 18th OF August. In the year 1869,
large portion Of the 7th Regiment marched from Camp
Floyd L.. IT, TO Fort Buchanan, New-llexico, having
Travelled 900 miles, and spent 1f0 days the road
BIT the most Unprecedented march OF Infantry was
made by the gallant old 9th, IN lSoJ, wmsh eit Fort
LeayenWorth, Kansas, for California, distance OF
$500 miles, and 100 days on the road, of which
f62 were actually passed iu marching, being at the
rate OF about III miles per day.
Even in warm climates, 1t Is better that the sleep OF
The colder should not be broken before day. rs What
Is gained by the avoidance Of the heat Of the dday
is more than lost by the interruption OF the natural
rest. A light breakfast of coffee and bread or poia-
toes, ought always to precede the march. The trst
hour the troops ehould hot march more than ibree
miles ard after an interval Of fifteen minutes, during
which they should be encouraged to throw oil thelr
knapsacks and recine they may be again ret IA motion.
The distance may be Increased the second hour 70
about three and "a half miles and after resting again
the line of uarch ay be resumed at the rate Of four
miles per hour. This ought to be exceeded,
cent "a, forced marches After three bOnTs maSh ii