42 MILITAEY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



The duties of the captain adjutants in their respective battalions correspond very nearly with 

 those of our regimental adjutants. 



The tactics of the French infantry have not been changed since they were adopted in our 

 service. But little atteution is paid to the individual "setting up" of the men ; consequently, 

 they present rather a slouching appearance. An exception to this rule is found in the elite 

 corps, for which men with a good natural bearing are selected. Much irregularity is tolerated 

 in marching, it being only required that the guides preserve their distances with great exact- 

 ness. In the movements of large columns, it is very rare to see any mistakes in this matter. 

 The men are allowed the utmost ease and latitude in ranks. Some essential parts of the French 

 instruction have been omitted in our own, such as the system of gymnastics, natation, &c. 



The smooth bore musket is still in general use for the infantry of the line ; the light infantry 

 and elite corps have rifled arms. All buglers carry a rifle ; the drummers have none. The 

 infantry sabre is regarded by the men as an useless incumbrance ; they are probably the best 

 judges. 



The grenadiers and voltiguers of the guard have the old fashion cross belts, without waist 

 belt; all other troops have only a waist belt, the bayonet scabbard, cartridge box, &c., being 

 attached to it. 



The kna^jsaek is of the pattern in possession of the department. It is small and of cow skin, 

 with the hair left on. The shoulder straps pass straight over the shoulders, and hook to brass 

 loops on the waist belt. Another strap is fastened to the under surface of the knapsack near 

 each outer corner, and buttons to the shoulder strap a little above the armpit. 



When the overcoat is not worn, it is rolled in a long roll, and strapped on top and on the 

 two sides of the knapsack. The shelter tent is carried in the same manner, under the overcoat, 

 if both are attached to the knapsack. 



The shelter tent and manner of using it have been described in a report upon the French 

 cavalry. The supporting sticks are in two parts, the pointed end having a sheet iron socket 

 into which the upper part fits. Each man carries one piece of the tent, one stick, and two or 

 three small tent pins. 



The infantry rations are as for the cavalry ; so also their cooking utensils. In the infantry, 

 each mess generally consists of 14 men, and has 2 gamelles, 1 lidon, 1 marmite, sometimes a 

 stewpan in addition. The men of the mess take turns in carrying these, attaching them to the 

 knapsack, or in any other manner they find most convenient. The knapsacks are never carried 

 in the wagons. 



The annexed sketch shows the form and dimensions of the canteen. It is of tin, 

 covered with cloth, suspended by a cord. 



The rations are generally carried in the knapsack. 



The uniform of the infantry of the line is too well known to require description. In the 

 Crimea, they wore the overcoat, with epaulets, and the forage cap; a jacket in camp. The frock 

 coats and shakos were left in France. 



The grenadiers and voltigeurs of the guard have the uniform of the imperial guard of the first 

 empire, except that pants are substituted for the old knee breeches. 



