EEPOET OF CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 237 



The corporals are divided equally among the platoons^ and are in charge of the rooms^ 

 guards^ &c., &c. 



Muster rolls are sent in hy the captain every month ; they are checked and countersigned by 

 the paymaster, adjutant, and intendant. 



The men are paid every five days. 



Eegular musters are held only once in each year, and not always so often. They are made 

 by the general of brigade and a military commissary ; at these the roll is called, the horses 

 counted, &c. 



MAECHES, &c. 



Marches are conducted at the rate of from 3 to 4 miles per hour, for the most part at a walk, 

 and usually last about 5 hours. 



Over very rough or steep groun-d the horses are generally led. 



The hussars march long distances at the trot, and know no obstacles ; rivers, marshes, moun- 

 tains, and obstructed ground, check their course but little. 



About half an hour after starting, a short halt is made to allow the horses to urinate ; only 

 those men dismount whose girths need tightening. At the middle of the march a halt of half 

 an hour is made. 



The men are severely punished for not girthing tight. 



As already remarked, the men ride on the curb on the march, the snaffle reins hanging free. 

 The stirrup leathers are of such a length that, the leg hanging naturally, the bottom of the 

 stirrup shall be 1" above the spur ; with hard gaited horses the stirrups are somewhat shorter. 

 No tents are carried in the field ; the men hut themselves. 



The ofiicers seldom carry any mess apparatus, but partake of the food of the men. 

 The following wagons, &c., are allowed in campaign: 



For each field officer, 1 wagon 5 wagons. 



For medicines 1 " 



Regimental chest 1 " 



In each division, for spare shoes, saddles, &c., 1 wagon 4 " 



Forge 1 



(( 



Total wagons for a regiment of 8 squadrons 12 



ti 



Each squadron officer is allowed forage for 1 jiack horse ; on this he places a small portman- 

 teau, or pair of hair bags. But these pack animals are often ordered to be left in depot, and 

 in this case the baggage is put on one of the spare horses. 



Each officer's servant usually rides one of his master's spare horses. 



The weight carried by a light cavalry horse in the field is : 



Weight of saddle and equipment 50 pounds. 



5 days' hay, (8 i^ounds for light cavalry) 40 " 



6 days' oats, (at 6 pounds) 30 



5 days' bread, (at 2 pounds) 10 



(( 



Load of light cavalry horse 130 



ei 



This is exclusive of the arms, ammunition, and rider. 



Before going into action, the men generally manage to throw away the hay, and "bleed" the 



forage bags. 



