274 MILITARY COMMISSION TO EUROPE. 



If it is desired, during the voyage, to remove any horse from his stall, it is only necessary to 

 remove the breast board and walk him out. 



All wooden parts are washed with some disinfecting compoimd, or simply white washed. 

 Chloride of zinc is freely used. 



The decks are washed every day, and the stalls cleaned after every feed, especially at 7 p. m. 



From the spar and main decks, the stale passes off through the scuppers ; from the orlop 

 deck it passes to the hold, and is pumped off by the engine. 



Not the slightest disagreeable odor could be detected on the Himalaya. 



The feed troughs and the nostrils of the horses are washed every morning and evening with 

 vinegar. 



For every 8 stalls a scraper, brush, and shovel, are allowed. 



The horse guard always remain at their posts, and send for the farrier or non-commissioned 

 officers in case of necessity. 



Great attention is paid to ventilation. Although the orlop deck is so hot that the animals 

 perspire a great deal, the animals carried there came off the voyage in better condition than the 

 others. 



The cavalry soldiers attend to the horses. So long as cleanliness is preserved, the com- 

 mander of the ship does not interfere as to the hours of feeding, &c. 



A supply of forage is always carried on board the ship. The veterinaries take their own 

 medicines with them. 



As a proof of the perfection of the system pursued on the Himalaya, it should be mentioned 

 that Captain Priest had transported 3,000 animals while in command of her ; some of these 

 direct from England to Balaklava. Out of this number but three (3) died. 



The usual hours for feeding are :^6 a. m., 11 a. m., 5| p. m.; if any horse refuses his food, the 

 fact is reported at once. The horses drink condensed steam. 



The regulation ration at sea is : 10 pounds of hay, 6 pounds of oats, | peck of bran, and 6 

 gallons of water — as a maximum. 



It was thought that this was generally too great, and that two-thirds of this allowance, except 

 the water, would be amjjle, as it is found that there is great danger from over feeding at sea. 



No grain is given the day they come on board, only a mash of bran, which latter is regarded as 

 the best habitual food at sea. 



In concluding this subject of the transportation of horses at sea, I would call attention to the 

 little work of Lieut. Col. Shirley on the subject ; it contains many excellent hints ; but it must be 

 remembered that the system just explained is founded on a larger experience than that of Col. 

 Shirley. 



In regard to the transportation of men, bunks and hammocks are generally used. Standing 

 bunks are found to be very objec-iionable, on account of the difficulty of keeping them clean ; 

 hammocks are regarded as preferabel for men in good health, while many officers consider it best 

 to provide neither hammocks nor bunks, but to allow the men to lie down on the fore decks with 

 their blankets and overcoats. 



The following works may be consulted with advantage, as containing useful ideas : 



Cavalry Outpost Duty, by Lieut. Col. Von Arentschildt. 



The Cavalry Sword Exercise. 



On the Training of Cavalry Remount Horses, by Capt. Nolan. 



Cavalry, its History and Tactics, by Capt. Nolan. 



GEO. B. McCLELLAN, 



December 24, 1856. Captain 1st Cavalry. 



