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582 Series I Volume XLII-II Serial 88 - Richmond-Fort Fisher Part II

Page 582 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.

march is unable to proceed it will immediately be drawn out of the column, and the carriages behind it will pass and close up, so as not to delay the movement of the troops.

15. When not on the march, and battery drills are not practicable,

the battery horses will, when the weather permits, be exercised daily.

By command of Brigadier-General Hunt:

JNO. N. CRAIG,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure Numbers 3.]

GENERAL ORDERS, ARTY. HDQRS., ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,


No. 5.
April 11, 1864.

1. For the campaign, the knapsack carried on the ammunition chest will not contain more than the following-named articles: One-half shelter-tent, one wool blanket, one poncho, one jacket or blouse, one pair drawers, two pair stockings, two shirts, one pair trousers. The excess of the kits over these articles will be carried by the owner, and the amount of clothing to be packed in the knapsacks may be reduced at the discretion of the brigade commander. The great coat will be carried by the owner.

2. Haversacks and canteens will not be carried on the carriages; they must be carried by the men.

3. Not more than four knapsacks will be transported on the gun carriage, battery wagon and forge, and not more than eight on the caisson. The excess of the number of knapsacks must be carried by the men, or their transportation otherwise provided for.

4. The knapsacks and paulins must be so packed and arranged as to offer no impediment to the service of the guns, or to the prompt procurement of ammunition.

5. The gunner and chief of caisson will, under direction of the chief of the piece, be responsible for the proper loading of these articles on their respective carriages, and that no more than the number allowed are carried. The excess will be thrown off on the road, the knapsacks of the gunner and chief of caisson being the first to be thrown away.

6. In packing the limbers the knapsacks must be packed as closely as possible to the chests, so as not to throw the weight on the pole.

7. The loading of the forage wagons, of which three are allowed to each battery, must be strictly attended to, and the battery commanders and brigade quartermasters will each, when the wagons are under his charge, be responsible that these wagons are loaded with forage exclusively.

8. The full weight of forage must be secured. as the campaign allowance of ten pounds a day is the minimum on which a horse can do his work. The minimum load to start with is 2,760 pounds of grain, being six days' supply for the wagon teams and two days' supply for the battery horses. If the roads are good, this load may be increased to 3,220 pounds, which will give seven days' forage for the battery horses and forage wagon teams. The other wagons, ambulances, & c., carry the forage for their own teams.

9. In drawing forage from the depot, care must be taken that the full weight of grain is obtained. The quartermaster who receipts for the forage is responsible for this, and must take the necessary measures to secure the full amount he receipts for. If unable to get it, he will promptly report the cause to his commanding officer, and in time to rectify it. No subsequent excuse will be received.


Page 582 OPERATIONS IN SE. VA. AND N. C. Chapter LIV.