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



233 



The men generally make their breakfast and supper on a piece of bread and a little glass of 

 brandy purchased at the sutler's. 



COOKING UTENSILS. 



^^ 



Kettles of the annexed shape and dimensions are used by the 

 ' cavalry in garrison and in the field. The handle of the kettle can be 

 unhooked, and is carried in one of the tornisters ; there is also 

 a straight handle for the top, so that it may be used as a frying pan ; 

 this handle, also, is carried in the tornister. 

 There is one of these kettles for every six men. 

 It is carried by that man of the mess who has the strongest horse. 

 A linen bag is put over the valise, to keep it clean ; then the kettle 

 is put on one end, the cover on the other ; a second bag, over the whole, secures the kettle. 

 Each man has a spoon, and they eat in common out of the kettle, in the field. 

 In the field ovens are made of wattling, mud, and straw, as described in Laisnes' Aide 

 Memoire du Genie 



HOESES. 



The minimum height of the heavy cavalry horses is 15 hands 1 inch. 

 Do. do. light do. 14 " 1 " 



Some of the light cavalry horses are even below this mark. 



Stallions are not used in ranks. 



The horses are branded on the left hip with the initials of the emperor, and of the province 

 where purchased ; on the left side of the neck, under the mane, is branded the number of the 

 horse. They are purchased by a commission of cavalry officers, and issued to the regiments as 

 required. If the captain objects to receiving a horse, he appeals to the colonel, who decides. 



Horses are received at the age of 5 years, as a general rule ; they are broken in by old soldiers 

 under the direction of the 2d captain of the squadron. 



If a soldier rides the same horse for 8 years, he receives a gratuity of about |7, and |2 50 for 

 every additional year. If he rides him for 20 years, he becomes the owner of the horse and 

 equipment, and may take him away when he leaves the service. 



The horses of the same squadron are not necessarily of the same color. 



Lieutenants and 2d captains are allowed one government horse each, and forage for two private 

 horses ; above the grade of 2d captain officers must own their own horses. If an officer allowed 

 a government horse uses him for 8 years, he becomes the property of the officer. 



A colonel is allowed forage for 6 horses in peace, for 7 in camj^aign. 



A lieutenant colonel or major. 



A first captain 



A second captain 



A lieutenant 



5 

 4 

 3 

 3 



6 

 5 

 4 

 3 



For a certain proportion of these horses commutation for forage may be drawn, although the 

 officer does not actually possess the horses. 



In addition to the allowance of forage a certain monthly allowance in money is o-iven to assist 

 the officer in keeping on hand the proper number of horses ; this allowance is as follows : 



For a colonel, about |10. 



For a lieutenant colonel or major, about $8. 

 30 O 



