Evening star., 1898-05-10
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED.
War Department Gives the Minimum
OF the Supplies.

War Department Gives the Minimum
OF the Supplies.
The War Department has learned with
some dismay from the reports of its officers
engaged in mastering and recruiting the
volunteers in the different states that very
few of the National Guard officers have
ideas as to the equipment required for
troops in the field that conform in any
measure with the standard which hard
practice and experience has established for
the United States army 1t has been found
that in some cases a battalion was laying
up enough equipment to load an entire
freight train, while on the other hand some
of the more enthusiastic and hardened vol
unteer troops proposed to go to the front
emitting from their equipment many Of the
things that are absolutely necessary not
only to comfort in camp but 10 health and
life itself.
Therefore Gen. Miles has caused to be
prepared by the department experts a table
showing in concise form exactly what is
necessary in the way of equipment of every
organization in the service from a company
to an army corps This Information is en-
bodied in the following genera. order issued
today:
The following standard of supplies and
equipment for field service is published for
the information and guidance of troops in
the military service of the United States.
The allowance is regarded as the minimum
for field service:
Headquarters of an army corps-Three
wagons for baggage, ETC., or pack mules
1 two-horse wagon, 1 two-horse spring
wagon. 10 extra saddle horses for contin-
gent wants, wall tents for commanding
general, 1 wall tent for every two officers
of his staff.
Headquarters of division-Two wagons
for baggage. ETC., or pack mules, 1 two
morse spring wagon, 1 tWo-horse wagon, 5
extra saddle horses for contingent wants, /
wall tent for commanding general, 1 wall
tent for every two officers Of his staff
Headquarters of brigade-l wagon for
baggage or pack mules, 1 two-horse
spring wagon. extra saddle horses for
contingent wants, 1 wall tent for the com
manding general, wall tent for every two
officers of his staff.
Allowance of transportation for regiment
OF cavalry-49 wagons or IA pack animals
Allowance of Transportation for battery,
light artillery wagons.
Allowance of transportation for regiment
of infantry-25 wagons.
Supplies to be carried in wagons per COM
pany-10 days field rations per man 100
rounds of ammunition per soldier. $50
pounds Of officers baggage and supplies,
tentage, grain for animals utensils for
each company mess not to exceed $50
pounds for each troop, battery or company;
horseshoes, nails, tools and medicines for
cavalry horses, not to exceed 300 pounds:
to each soldier or civilian employe (com-
pdctiS Tolieu IN one piece OF Shelter tent) l
blanket, l poncho and l extra suit of un-
dergarmentS.
Whenever the amount of rations or grain
varies from the above, the weight to be
carried per six-mule wagon may be in
creased or diminished, but should not ex-
ceed 1000 pounds, and for four-mule wagon
1900 pounds, and. if possible, should be less
per wagon.
Whenever obtainable on line of march
full forage will be allowed all animals the
rate of purchase to be regulated by the
quartermaster's department.
10 be carried on the person or horse: 1
overcoat. 1 piece of shelter tent, so rounds
of rifle or carbine and "A rounds of revol-
yer ammunition.
Supplies to be carried on pack mules for
one troop Of cavalry: days field rations
per man; 100 rounds of ammunition per SOL
dier
The utensils for each troop of cavalry
must not exceed $50 pounds
The weight of load per aparejo must
never exceed 80 pounds and should, If pos
sihle, be less than 2GO pounds
Troop of cavalry, company of infantry light
battery.
Troop of Comply Of Light
INF