Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 509

1942

The Soldier's Manual

491

and be in readiness to take his place as sentinel. It is recom- mended that the string which serves instead of a flint in the match- lock should be boiled for a long time to remove the sap, as it is made of thin bark laid up' like a piece of common string. After this process is complete, it should be wiped and dried thoroughly by ex- posing it to the sun. In consequence of this treatment a length, equal to that of the hair in a Chinese pencil, will be sufficient to ignite the priming powder ten times in succession. If it will do this it is reckoned good, and may be relied upon. The author is aware, that unless a ball fits the bore of a piece, it will not hit the mark; he directs therefore that the soldiers should try their balls beforehand. Swords, spears, bows and arrows are all to be kept in readiness against the approach of an enemy. In a subsequent section we shall find the particular office assigned to each of these weapons.

In the sixth section, the horses are commended to the attention of the soldier, who is ordered to treat them with feeling, and to hire horse. keepers, whose business it is to supply them with water and herbage. If a horse be too fat he should be allowed to rest awhile, if he be lean and poor care should be taken to put him in good condition. At night they should be watched lest they stray. When a well is dug, they should not be allowed to drink muddy waters, nor to drink out of their turn. The officers are expected to see these regulations properly enforced.

In the seventh section, it is suggested that the persons employed as camp-followers should be steady men, and that on a march they should not be separated far from the principal servants of the camp.

In the eighth section, the acclivities and summits of hill are men- tioned as proper for an encampment, that soldiers may be stationed to lookout with the view of anticipating danger, and taking advantage of the enemy. For though the advantage should be small it is worth contending for. A spot abounding in water and grass should be selected, to avoid the evils of an empty cupboard. The camp should not be planted too near a stream descending from steep hills, lest the enemy should resort to the expedient of laying it under water. Sol- diers are also cautioned against an inconsiderate use of water and herbage, as they are very valuable. To insure a judicious issue of these essentials, and to avoid disputes, a proper officer should be ap- pointed to take charge of the spring.

In the ninth section, it is recommended that the soldiers belonging to one encampment on a march should not go wider apart from those pertaining to the other than seven or eight li, or about two miles.