The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-23
EQUIPMENTS OF THE TROOPS.
Ponchos, Caps, Gnuntiets. shoes, Over
shoes, Buuting Knives. Rino Dreeeh
Covers. Tents-Defending Fort Monroe.

shoes, BuuttnE AutVcb. 0iuo Atrccch
Covers, Tentn-DefendinE Fort Monroe.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.-In many armies at
tention has been paid of late years to improving
the articles that soldiers must wear or carry in
| campaigning. and Master General Saw
telle's report shows that we are not behind In
attention TO these matters.
The now rubber poncho has its weight fixed at
from an ounce less than q pound to two pounds
and two ounces at most, whereas the weight OF
the old one was n pound and q half. The new
forage cap is yet on trial, and It remains to be
seen whether the desired combination OF light
ness, durability, and retention of shape has been
achieved. The cloth is heavier. but there is no
heavy lining in the crown. upholsterers' hair
cloth being used as n stiffening for the sides.
The device on 1t Is OF solid brass, fastened to the
cap with q screw and SO Eilded that It need not
be taken of for cleaning. To 1t are soldered the
letters and figures. This is believed to DO q
durable. yet not costly arrangement.
For the leather gauntlets OF mounted troops
genuine, obtained buckskin is now used, after
trials of Gontskin and calfskin. For the arctic
overshoes rubber heel and lifts were issued for
trial. but were found liable to come of in a few
weeks, and are now abandoned. But the weight
OF the shoe has been reduced ON three and a
half pounds per pair to less than two pounds.
In the periodical published by the Military
Service Institution, Lieut.. Plummer, Tenth In
Iantry. argues tlat inc marching BnOe Should
be made without a heel. and something like the
oil-tanned moccasins worn by hunters and
woodsmen, allowing that same easy play OF the
shoe does. A British military surgeon says that
In the ordinary last used in that service there
IL not provision enough for the great toe. espe-
cially over the joint. and it is too thin or fiat
over the other, toes, while the upper leather
bitter, aSe mos. likely to occur Is
an infantry soldier Is the laced-ankle pattern.
usually called blucher or derby" He would
those of malleable steel. The outer sole should
be coated on its upper surface with a Rutta
sheet of cork. The heel should DO broad and
very low. cut down straight behind. The boots
three or four days TN soft and piiabIe. Thea
wiped out. and with a thick pair OF woollen
s several Ih Gou Tea Witch iHI Se VIII II a Gai e ies a s Maik iS 90
boots VIII AXE the shape of his feet, Then they
s shGu When Ge th psf ieethe .rs has b wtsh wet d r the oats oats
absorbing the moisture. a coating OF beeswax
for the seams and an entire coating, Of neatsfoot
1%ootEsar comfortable sas and very durable; The
cussed In our service as the Shoes themselves.
Major Sanger. in the periodical already re-
was once discontinued in the army. as tho intro
duction, Of the ~nife ~hayonet seemed to replace
ing tool, for which 1t has great value.
In response to suggestions from officers in the
lItlu vi u CbNeI l " pI'lCCI tuc oEtcCu n6Cuhu-
ism of the rifle from dust during marches. and
also from ice during cold weather. a thousand
light covers Of flexible enamelled cloth have
been issued for trial to fifteen infantry COM
pantes in various parts Of the country. and re-
ports on the results will be made on the first
day of the new year..
a dozen of tho new tent supports for ~conical
wall tents. devised by Major Williams. have
been tried at various posts. and IL is believed
that with certain adaptations they will be of
trian shelter tent and or H.q co@bine du Of
which sixteen specimens have been issued and
tried. Is not regarded with very great favor.
partment includes many improvements on ex-
listing army posts and preparations for some
new ones. In the State of Washington new
posts are to be established near Spokane and
near Seattle, and in North Dakota near Bis
lnarck, land In each case having been given to
the Government for tho purpose without cost.
on the other hand. Forts Buford and Pembina
In North Dakota, .Staunton in New Mexico. and
Macomb In Louisiana have been turned over 10
me Interior Department, as well as Cat, Horn.
Round. and some other islands in the Mississippi.
Efforts Crook. Monroe. Ethan Allen. Myer. Har-
rison, Thomas, Logan. and at tho Preside and
elsew buildings have been erected. while at
Fort MCPHERSON a large tract has been bought
for a target range.
Among interesting recent orders may be noted
one or the artillery school: which was issued
recently, for executing the problem Of tho
condition. against an attack by 4 hostile feet OF
armored and protected cruisers. and torpedo
boats. Al the call to arms" all batteries ex-
cept Il OF the Fifth artillery and / of the First
were TO march Immediately to the guns
TO which they. were assigned. G was to 60.
instead, to the four lo-inch smooth bores in The
the defense of the torpedo field, and /, as in
faniry, TO the defence against landing parties.
protected position north of the bat
terry on the beach. Opei ators were assigned 10
electrical communications. provision was made
for the care OF the wounded. and all details Of
n practice defence were to be carried out.