80 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



TENTS. 



/;, y^^^^ "^^6 annexed sketch represents a vertical section through 



/^ •! \,^ the centre of a tent ; they are square, with a pyramidal roof. 



^,-^^' 't ~ V'~'~"^~<i They are supported by a centre pole, and a short pole at each 



\ 1-^ ^ k\ \ angle of the roof. When the arms are taken inside the tent, 



11 l.%'\ J*- J. ' 0' 1 A I they are tied around the centre pole. 



i] !■■ In permanent camps the men have a plank banquette bed, 



and usually dig a cellar 3' deep, banking up around the tent with the earth thus obtained. 



A tent is pitched by 5 men in 3 minutes. The allowance of tents is : 1 for each field ofiScer, 

 1 for every two company officers, 1 for every 15 non-commissioned officers and privates, whether 

 of infantry or cavalry. 



HOSPITALS. 



As these will be fully considered in the report of another member of the commission, it will 

 be sufficient to record here my opinion, that the best Kussian military hospitals are, for comfort, 

 convenience, and cleanliness, the model hospitals of the world. 



In all of them the utmost order and cleanliness is preserved, and the greatest attention paid 

 to the sick. 



The command, control of the police, and responsibility, is always vested in an officer of the 

 line, who has other officers as assistants ; the surgeons have merely to prescribe, order the diet, 

 &c., but have not the slightest military authority or responsibility. I would call attention to 

 this system as being eminently worthy of consideration, in the event of the establishment of 

 large temporary hospitals during a war, or any concentration of a large number of troops. 



THE ARTEL. 



This is a species of company fund, belonging in common to all the non-commissioned officers 

 and men of the company. It is formed by certain regular stoppages of pay, extra allowances, 

 and the produce of extra labor by the men, whether for civilians, as sap guards, &c., or 

 otherwise. These extra labors are encouraged wherever circumstances permit, and the whole 

 product is turned into the artel. By means of this fund the men are provided with vegetables, 

 salt, extra meat, oat meal, cleaning utensils, wagons and horses for the transportation of the 

 company provisions, &c. 



It is only when the soldier leaves the service that he receives his share of the fund ; this 

 individual share is stated to amount sometimes to more than $100. 



The artel is divided into two parts, or funds: one serving to provide for the current wants of 

 the men, the other to pay them their share upon leaving. 



The management and application of the artel is entrusted to sergeants and privates elected 

 by the company. 



One of these men makes the daily purchases for the mess, &c., being always accompanied 

 and watched by two others, whose duty it is to protect the interests of the company. 



A monthly report is made to the captain. 



RATIONS. 



The daily ration consists of 2| pounds of bread, half pound fresh meat, salt, oatmeal, 

 cabbage, and brandy. The bread, the brandy, and one-half the meat, is furnished by the 



