REPORT OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 177 



The knapsack is of hide, with the hair outside ; it has two belts, crossing on the breast, and 

 attached to the knapsack by swivels. 



v- The canteen is a tin bottle, of the shape and dimensions given in the annexed 



pi sketch ; it has a tin cover which serves as a cup ; it is carried strapped to the back 

 of the knapsack, as shown in PL 13, fig. 1. 



The uniform coat, or overcoat, is carried, in a water proof cylinder, on top of 

 the knapsack ; the forage cap in a linen pocket on the front of the knapsack . 



In the knapsack are carried : 2 shirts, 1 pair drawers, 2 extra pieces of linen for 

 wrapping the feet, leather for 1 pair of boots, 3 brushes, 1 pair of summer or 

 winter pants, and 4 days' bread or biscuit. There is a little pocket in the knap- 

 sack for a small rectangular tin box, containing spare percussion caps. 

 The wiper, screw driver, and ball screw are carried in the cartridge-box. 

 In the cartridge wagons, 4 to each battalion, there are carried 40 rounds extra for each man. 

 The officers have a light sabre, with a leather scabbard. 



The field music have drums and horns ; the elite companies have fifes. The drums are of 

 brass, 18" in diameter, 12" deep. 



The transportation usually allowed is as follows : 1 small wagon for the officers of each com- 

 pany ; 2 for the soldiers' tents ; 2 for 6 days' bread. Cattle are driven on the hoof. 



The old troops are seldom drilled, and are annoyed as little as possible ; target firing is much 

 practiced. 



The ordinary length of march is from 13 to 17 miles a day ; it is usual to halt one day out 

 of every three or four. 



THE MILITIA. 



The organization of the militia dates from the commencement of the recent war. They were, 

 in fact, battalions of regular troops, rasied for the period of the war, and with certain peculi- 

 arities of organization and equipment to distinguish them from the standing army. They were 

 organized in battalions, of a composition similar to those of the old army, but were not neces- 

 sarily formed into regiments. 



The men were mostly serfs and crown peasants ; the sergeants generally from the old army ; 

 the officers had for the most part served in the old army, and were principally selected from 

 among the number of those who had resigned their commisions, or had been granted unlimited 

 furloughs. 



The old troops were much employed as drill masters for the militia. 



» UNIFORM. 



The dress of the militia was eminently national, having little or nothing in common with the 

 usual uniforms of Europe. 



The coat, a Russian caftan, or long, loose, double breasted frock coat, with no buttons visible. 



The pants always tucked in the boot tops. 



The cap, not unlike the forage cap in use in the United States army during the Mexican war, 

 except that the top was somewhat higher and stiffer, and the vizor larger ; the only ornament 

 upon the cap a brazen Greek cross. 



The coat, pants, and cap always of the same color ; which was generally a dark shade of 

 brownish grey, sometimes almost black. 



The facings usually of some very dark color. 

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