In pursuance of Special Orders, No. 65, from headquarters Army of the Potomac,the board therein detailed assembled, and proceeded to make the experiment required, andarrived at the conclusion hereinafter stated.
In order to ascertain the amount of weight usually carried by soldiers in this army,average knapsacks were weighed, with the contents therein and blanket rolled on top, andthe mean weight was found to be 15= pounds. We then took out the contents of theknapsack, and packed inside ten days' rations of hard bread, to wit:
It was found that knapsacks would easily contain one hundred crackers, and that itwas better to place at least as much as one shirt in the part of the knapsack next to thesoldier's back, in order that the biscuitmight not chafe the skin, and that so long as aknapsack is carried neither the weight of the extra clothing nor the space occupied by itwas sufficient to justify dispensing with the same; in fact, it can be carried better than not.It is also to be observed that ten biscuits, although called a day's ration, are not sufficientupon the march, when no other articles, such as beans, rice, and desiccated vegetables, areissued.
The board further placed five days' rations of bacon in a haversack, with ten days'coffee and sugar, and that amount was tried upon a soldier and worn without difficulty.But it should be here stated that the haversack is found, when loaded to its capacity, tofatigue the men in moderate or cold weather more than a knapsack with 15 pounds inside.The board, after numerous experiments, and from their previous experience with troops inthe field, agreed upon the following conclusions: As a maximum, the men, by dispensingwith extra clothing, except one extra shirt, drawers, and socks, can carry in theirknapsacks one hundred biscuits and eight days' small-stores, and, in the haversacks, twodays' cooked rations, which, with eight days' fresh beef upon the hoof, will make ten days'full rations. Two days' only are put in the haversack, for the reason that the weight is moreeasily carried upon the back.
The board also thought that if two pack-mules with pack-saddles werefurnished to each regiment, a sufficient number of camp-kettles might be carried, withrations of rice, beans, and desiccated vegetables sufficient to cook the fresh beef properly,and furnish the necessary quantity of soup upon all occasions, and make the one hundredbiscuits last ten days if instead of eight, as before stated.
The question creating most embarrassment in the minds of the board washow to provide for line officers who have no knapsacks, but it is considered that alldifficulties can be obviated upon ordinary marches if each line officer is required to employthe servant for which he is paid. The officer himself can carry his blanket and two days'rations, and the servant the balance; it being understood that his necessary baggage andmess-chest should be carried in a reserve column of transportation.
The foregoing is stated to show what can be carried under the most favorablecircumstances, but considering the climate, the state of the roads, and the fact that threedays' [rations] has heretofore been the maximum amount, the board recommend asfollows:
Making 13 pounds in the knapsacks, being 2 pounds less than the weight usually carriedby soldiers in this army in their knapsacks.
RECAPITULATION.