216 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



The age is that of his joining the regiment, or at the year of remount. 



A black board is hung up in the stable of each squadron, on which are inscribed in chalk, 

 daily, the names of the stable guard, the number of government horses for duty, the number of 

 officers' horses for duty, the number and names of the sick horses. 



At convenient places there are banquette beds for the stable guard. 



Lanterns are swung from the ceiling along the middle of the passage way. 



The liorse hospital and the shoeing shop are in separate buildings, the former being enclosed 

 by a wall. 



In the stable yard racks are provided for airing the litter. 



STABLE DUTY. 



The stable guard consists of 1 corporal and 8 men per squadron ; they are on duty for 24 

 hours, sleep in the stable, feed the grain, and are responsible for the police and order of the 

 stables between stable calls. Two of the number must be on duty and awake day and night. 



The stable guard and the stable duty generally are under the direction of the squadron officer 

 of the day, the orderly sergeant and the squadron sergeant of the day. 



The ration of oats is divided into five equal portions. One of these is given the first thing 

 in the morning ; then the horse is cleaned and watered ; after this, another portion is given ; 

 about noon the horse receives another portion, and is again watered ; soon after this he is again 

 rubbed down, and after that receives another portion ; a little before dark he is again watered, 

 and receives the last portion. 



The straw is generally chopped and fed with the oats, the greater part being given with the 

 last portion. 



The hay is fed one-half in the morning, the rest after the last evening feed. 



The grain is fed by the stable guard as follows : a box mounted on wheels contains the feed, 

 and is wheeled along by one man ; two others, having dish-shaped baskets, each receive from 

 the corporal the portion for 1 horse, and pour it in the mangers on each side of the passage way 

 as they proceed. The orderly sergeant and the sergeant of the day superintend. 



The men clean out the mangers of their own horses before the feeding. 



Each man provides his own horse with hay, which is shaken and freed from dust, sticks, 

 weeds. &c., before being placed in the racks. 



At stable call, each man polices the stall of his own horse. Birch brooms, wooden shovels 

 bound with iron, and light forks are used in policing the stables. 



For every 10 horses there are allowed 1 bucket, 1 sieve, 1 shovel, 1 fork, and from 1 to 2 

 brooms. 



The horses are sometimes blanketed in the stables. 



FIELD SERVICE. 



In the field, the following is the allowance of transportation for a regiment of cavalry : 



1 four-horse wagon, containing regimental chest 300 pounds weight. 



Paymaster's and other regimental books 40 " " 



Adjutant's desk 40 " " 



Officers' mess chest 100 " " 



" portmanteaus, (captains 55, lieutenants 45 lbs., each,). 1,340 " " 



Total weight i 1,820 " 



