Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-11-24
THE SOLDIERS kNAPsAck
what IL Must Carry and How 1t should
BE Packed.


what IL Must Garry and How 1t should
BE Packed.
In the matter of the knapsack, its ay
erage weight and in the obligation to
carry it, the American soldier of today
has decidedly the advantage over his
European brother in arms The latter
never thinks of throwing away his
pack, no matter what its weight or the
length of the march. To do so means
punishment sudden and severe The
former fires it bodily away the moment
he feels that he has carried it far
enough, preferring any punishment to
making pack mule out of himself
Nevertheless the knapsack is very nee
essary article Of the soldiers equipment,
and a great deal Of time, experiment
and thought have been given to the per
lection of pack that will carry every
thing necessary and yet be, when pack
ed. of the minimum weight and size
The knapsack as at present in uso in
the service is simply waterproof can.
vas bag, supposed TO contain when pack
ed one blanket. one complete change of
underclothing. two pairs Of stockings
one pair of shoes, towel. soap, backing
kit and comb.
To pack these articles properly the
blanket is folded lengthwise so as to be
IL inches wide. Roll tightly, leaving
IS inches unrofled. and place in the
bag until the roll is tight against the
bottom. Then fold the unrolled part I'M
til the fold is even with the opening of
the bag. The drawers. folded the same
width as the blanket, is placed next.
after which comes the undershirt. The
shoes are then placed. heels up and soles
out. between the folded blanket and the
side OF the bag one OH each side. Be
tween the drawers and the undershirt
two pairs Of stockings are then placed
so as to show the double fold. The
backing kit is then placed above the
undershirt and out of sight, the toilet
articles neatly disposed in the pocket,
the flap of the knapsack turned down
and buttoned, and the pack is complete.
There now remains tho overcoat, which
when rolled is fastened by straps ON the
top of the pack.
To secure uniformity the following
method Of rolling the coat has been
adopted by the war department. Turn
the left sleeve inside out; fold the coat
down the middle seam of the back, right
side out, front edges to the left and lay
it fatty and smoothly on the ground,
tail away from the feet; pull tho cape
out from under the coat and spread il
double; turn both tails Of coat up about
eight inches, the upper one over and the
lower one under; fold the skirts in
from both sides until they inst meet In
the center. which will make the roll
just the width of tho knapsack. Then
fold the cape same width as ths coat.
and beginning with the cape roll up
very tightly and as even rs possible
the tighter the better-being careful 10
keep the folded edges well caught.
When rolled clear up, turn the exposed
tail back over the roll, taking care not
TO loosen the ends, and the roll will be
securely bound.
The shelter tent half, neatly folded
SO as to show the company, regiment
and number, will then be rolled around
the overcoat roll SO as just to show the
edges, and the four shelter tent pins
placed between its folds so rs to show
one inch of tho points projecting.
Now place the roll ON the knapsack
with the tail of the coat, as rolled. to
the rear and the raw edge or hem just
oh ha oAr,a % Ne al ~.