quantify of soup upon all occasions, and make the one hundred biscuits last ten days instead of eight, as before stated.

The question creating most embarrassment in he minds of the board was how to provide for line officers who have no knapsacks, but it is considered that all difficulties can be obviated upon ordinary marches if each line officer is required to employ the servant for which he is paid. The officer himself can carry his blanket and two days' rations, and the servant the balance; it being understood that his necessary baggage and mess-chest should be carried in a reserve column of transportation.

The foregoing is stated to show what can be carried under the most favorable circumstances, but considering the climate, the state of the roads, and the fact that three days' [rations] has heretofore been the maximum amount, the board recommend as follows:

1. That all extra clothing, except a change of underclothing, be stored.

2. That five days' rations of bread and small-stores be placed in the knapsacks.

3. Three days' cooked rations in the haversacks, and five days' fresh beef upon the hoof.

4. Two mules per regiment to carry camp-kettles, rice, beans, &c.

Each soldier will carry-

Pounds.

Haversacks.............................................. 5 3/4

Knapsacks............................................... 6

Blanket................................................. 5 1/4

Clothing................................................ 2

-------

Total................................................... 19

Making 13 1/4 pounds in the knapsacks, being 2 1/4 pounds less than the weight usually carried by soldiers in this army in their knapsacks.

RECAPITULATION.

Days.

Maximum, with 2 mules' transportation.................... 12

Maximum without transportation........................... 10

Mean..................................................... 8

All of which is respectfully submitted.

C. E. PRATT,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.

T. S. ALLEN,

Colonel Fifth Wisconsin.

O. O. POTTER,

Captain Thirty-first New York.

HORACE WALKER,

Captain Fifth Wisconsin.

J. G. ROBERTS,

First Lieutenant Sixth Maine, Recorder of Board.

[Inclosure E.]

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington City, January 2, 1862.

The following paper is translated from a sketch of the organization of a light movable column of troops by Mr. Alexis Godillot, an extensive manufacturer of clothing and equipments for the French army.

Mr. Godillot's great experience (being, it is understood, the principal