Extending from the tapered-down bottom of the base piece is a depending billet, a strap of medium harness leather 1 1/4 inches wide and 21 3/4 inches long, which passes under the animal and is buckled to the carrier strap.

In the base piece just above the swivel is a key slot cut through the swivel plate and leather of the base piece which is for attaching the intrenching tool carrier to the saber carrier.

The officers’ saber carrier differs from the above in several particulars; the base piece is lighter and padded with goat hair next to the animal where the swivel would be apt to chafe. The attaching and depending billets are of 7 to 8 ounce collar leather inch wide; the loop is lighter and slightly longer; the swivel is of lighter construction and permits slightly less swing to front and rear.

This carrier is designed to carry the bright metal officers’ garrison scabbard only. In the field officers will use the service scabbard.

The scabbard is placed on the off side of the saddled horse and held in place by passing its attaching strap through the loop on the off cantle hinge. The depending billet buckles to the carrier strap. Adjust so that saber shall swing in a verticle plane. Keep swivel well oiled. Do not brighten metal parts.

If it is desired to be armed with the saber mounted, but without the rifle carrier boot, or the special picket pin carrier, as the case may be, remove the carrier strap wholly from the equipment. Then buckle the depending billet of the saber carrier into the swivel buckle on the girth and adjust to proper tension. It is probable that this billet end will not pass into the standing loop beyond the swivel buckle, on account of the angle made by this billet. This need cause no inconvenience--dispose of the billet end by tucking it in between the strands of the girth, which will answer just as well.

When separating from the horses for extended fighting on foot, if the horses are to be led any material distance or over rough ground, then the saber should be secured to its scabbard by the saber knot.

This is a leather safe, trilobular in shape, about 6 1/2 inches wide and 5 inches long. To the forward lobe is attached a strap of 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 ounce bridle leather, 1 1/2 inches wide by 12 inches long, which connects the carrier to the girth by means of the buckle in the center of the girth. To each side lobe of the carrier strap is attached by a leather chape a 1 1/4-inch malleable iron roller buckle, bronzed, the leather chape carrying a standing ioop. These buckles serve as means of attaching the depending billets of the saber carrier and rifle carrier boot, or special picket pin carrier.

The purpose of this article is to retain the rifle boot, or special picket pin carrier, as the case may be, and the saber carrier snugly against the flanks of the horse, thus avoiding all flapping, swinging, and unnecessary motion of whatever kind. It should be drawn sufficiently snug to accurately accomplish this purpose and no more. It serves in no sense as a rear girth-the saddle needs no rear girth- and it should not be employed for any such purpose. The strap attaching it to buckle in girth admits of easy adjustment to accommodate horses of different conformation.

(Plate VI.)

The Shovel.-This consists of a blade only, the trooper’s picket pin supplying the handle.

The shovel is of sheet steel 0.058 inch thick. It is 7 5/8 inches long and 6 7/8 inches wide at the top. The top edge is bent over toward the concave side of the shovel so as to form a stiffening rib inch wide along the top edge of two thicknesses of metal.

On the front of the shovel is a socket made of forged steel riveted on with six 3/16-inch rivets. This socket fits the small end of the picket pin. A short 5-link steel chain is fastened to the shovel near the socket, and this chain carries at its outer end a split pin which enters a hole in the picket pin, thus securing the latter when in its place as a shovel handle.

To assemble, slip the pin into the socket in the blade, turn the pin gently till the hole in the web of the pin is nearest the cotter pin of the blade. Insert this cotter pin in the hole in the web and turn the picket pin handle till the chain binds. To detach, reverse the process. Do not use blows or violence. Keep the picket pin clean and free from rust and there will be no difficulty. Carry the shovel, on the march, in the outer compartment in the intrenching tool carrier, convex surface outward. To go on the dismounted firing line the trooper assembles his shovel in the tool frog of his belt, concave surface next him, carries the depending strap of his belt ring across on the outside of the shovel blade from rear to front, and engages its snap hook upon the upper edge of the belt just in front of the magazine pocket on the left side.

The Pick.-This is a single, chisel-point pick, made of tool steel; the pick, consisting of head only, is 61 inches long over all, 1 inch, wide at the blade, tapering back 4 1/2 inches to 5/8 inch wide. Thickness  at base of bevel inch, tapering back 4 1/8 inches to inch. The eye for the handle is forged in the head to fit the larger end of the picket pin snugly. The pick is ground to an edge, tempered, and painted olive drab all over. Weight when finished 9 1/2 ounces.

This article, as the above, utilizes trooper’s picket pin for its handle. Introduce the pin through the eye of the pick from the front toward the rear, hammer face of pin toward back of pick. The pick is issued along with the shovel blades in the proportion of one pick to three shovels. On the horse it is carried in the intrenching tool carrier. To carry dismounted assemble, slip point of pin handle down through loop of tool frog, edge to the front, and secure belt ring strap as explained in case of the shovel.

The pick cover (Plate IV) remains constantly upon the pick except when the latter is in use; the trooper then puts the cover in his pocket for the time being.

The Hatchet.-This consists of the head only and is 4 7/8 inches long centrally, measured on the face of the blade, the back of the head being rectangular and 2 1/4 inches by inch. The eye is forged in the head to fit the larger end of the picket pin snugly. The edge is ground sharp and tempered, and the head is painted olive drab all over except the cutting edge for 1/2 inch wide. The hatchet finished weighs 20 ounces.

As above stated, the head only is furnished. Place the picket pin in the eye of the hatchet from front to rear, face of hammer head on same side as back of hatchet head. A slight blow or jar on extreme hammer end will tighten the hatchet on pin handle. To loosen it jar the point end of the pin. This tool is issued to troops at the rate of one for each sergeant, omitting the first sergeant. It is carried in the intrenching tool carrier, in the same compartment as the shovel or pick of the other troopers. To carry dismounted, assemble, slip point end of pin down through loop of tool frog, edge to the front, and secure belt-ring strap as explained in case of the shovel.

The hatchet cover (Plate IV) remains constantly upon the hatchet except when the latter is in use, the trooper then puts the cover in his pocket for the time being.

The intrenching-tool carrier (Plate VI) is a leather pocket conforming to shape of shovel, made of a front and back of medium harness leather stitched together around the edges. The back piece is longer than the front and doubles over to form a flap, which flap is locked by two staples protruding through the flap and double-ended billet passing through the staples. The pocket has a partition of 5 to 6 ounce collar leather, thus forming a large inside pocket for carrying horseshoes, nails, etc. There is a small nail pocket of 3 1/2 ounce collar leather 3 1/8 by 2 1/4 inches wide, which can be removed from the shovel carrier, but is attached thereto by a short thong.

This article of the equipment is for the purpose of carrying either the shovel, the pick, or the hatchet, as the case may be, in its outer compartment, and the trooper’s extra horseshoe and nails in the inner compartment. It is attached to the saddled horse by means of the saber carrier and the loop at the rear of the off girth-strap adjuster. To attach it to the saber carrier, turn the saber carrier till the axis of its slot is parallel to and just over that of the lock stud on the intrenching-tool carrier. Slip the stud through the slot and turn the saber carrier on this stud so that when the axis of the base piece of the saber carrier is vertical, and its depending billet extending downward, that of the intrenching-tool carrier will be horizontal, and slip the billet of the saber carrier through the loop on the lower edge of intrenching-tool carrier. The saber carrier is then attached to the saddle and carrier strap by its proper billets, and the billet at point of intrenching-tool carrier is buckled through loop on girth-strap adjuster into its proper buckle.

The picket pin (Plate VI) is a forging of medium grade crucible steel. It is 13 3/4 inches over all length and is slightly tapering from a width of 1 1/4 inches under the head to 1-inch diameter 1 inch above the point. The shank of the pin is of channel section, for lightness, from the head to 3 1/2 inches from the point with a web 3/16-inch thick. The head of the pin is shaped like a claw hammer, so that the pin can be used as such when desired. The point and head are given a mild temper.

The Lariat (Plate VIII) is made of olive-drab cotton webbing, 1 inch wide, oval in section. At one end is a 1 inch swivel eye-bolt snap, bronze finish, and at the other end a double eye. The double eye is of bronze, and the part engaging in the loop of the lariat is a 1 inch D, while the other part is a ring 1 1/4 inches diameter. The lariat assembled is 15 feet long, exclusive of the snap, and double eye.

The picket pin serves as a handle for the several intrenching tools, also as a shoeing hammer and a clinching iron in emergencies, as well as its usual purpose of aiding in tethering a horse. To use it with the lariat, snap the hook of the latter into the halter ring, and drive the pin through the ring of the double eye on the lariat, leaving the hammer head slightly above the surface of the ground. The ring will then work around the pin as the horse feeds, giving a swivel effect. In case the horse pulls up the pin, the loop will draw off the pin, and the latter should be found near the point it was driven. The pin is carried on the march either in its case on the saber scabbard or in the special carrier, as the case may be.

The picket pin case (Plate VI) is a slightly conical tube of 7 to 8 ounces, collar leather, 13 1/2 inches long, shaped to fit the picket pin quite closely. There are two straps with buckles which encircle it and secure it to the saber scabbard, the upper one inch wide and the lower inch wide, both of 7 to 8 ounce collar leather. A billet piece at the top passes over the head of the pin and secures it.

The case carries the picket pin for those troopers armed with the rifle. The upper strap passes around the scabbard through the carrier rings thereon. The lower strap passes around the scabbard.

(Plate X.)

These bags, one right and one left, forming a pair, are made of a heavy fiber dyed duck, No. 1, which weighs 28 ounces per square yard. The back piece is approximately 21 inches long and 7 inches wide, the lower 11 1/2 inches being double in thickness. This piece is bound around the edges with cotton webbing ounce per yard and inch wide.

To this back piece is stitched the pocket body, made of one piece of the No. 1 duck, the pattern being cut to include the front, side gussets, bottom, and gusset flaps at the top, the whole forming, when stitched to the back piece, a pocket approximately 6 inches wide, 11 inches long, and 3 inches deep. On the back of each back piece is fastened a suspender of cotton webbing 2 inches wide. This suspender is so attached to the back piece that it can swing out at the proper angle for slinging over the shoulder (about 40°), or can swing over in a line parallel with the axis of the bag when used to connect the two bags for slinging over the cantle of the saddle.

The forward side of each bag is so arranged that the back piece extends out from under the pocket; these extensions, when overlapped, serve as a means for connecting the bags together to form a knapsack, as shown assembled in plate.

When used as a knapsack the belt and stay strap shown in plate are attached to the billet on the suspender body. When the bags are arranged to sling over the cantle of the saddle these belt and stay straps are removed from the suspender billet and attached to a billet at the bottom of each bag and serve to connect the bags to small Drings on the rifle boot and saber carrier to steady the bags in place.

To the outside of the pocket of each bag is stitched a flap of the No. 1 duck, 10 1/2 by 4 7/16 inches; this piece is stitched only along its bottom edge and rear edge, the front and top edges being free. The provided with six grommets for lacing that when the two bags are assembled into the knapsack these flaps are laced up to form the meat-can pocket.

The ration bags are intended for campaign use and will carry two haversack rations and one emergency ration (packed after the manner of the present issue of rations), although their ordinary contents will be one haversack ration and one emergency ration. These rations will distribute quite evenly, both as to weight and volume, between the two bags.

The bacon bag is an accessory of the ration bags and is intended to carry the portion of a trooper’s haversack ration of bacon remaining after he has broken open the can and consumed some of it. Place the bacon in the bag without the can. It is not probable the can could be gotten in the bag, and in any case it would only strain and tear the bag. The enamel lining has been analyzed and found harmless.

Four leather thongs are supplied each trooper for securing his blanket when dismounted, or for other purposes. They are carried in the ration bags. Keep them clean, soft, and pliable.

(1) To pack the ration bags with two haversack rations and one emergency ration when bacon is furnished as a meat component, place in the near ration bag two hard-bread packages, on the side next to the horse, and one can of bacon on the outside, with the flat side of the bacon can against the hard-bread packages. If the bacon is in a short or Morris can, push it to the bottom of the bag and put the two grocery components above it. If the bacon is in a long or Dold can, the two grocery components placed flat side down will just fit in level on top of the bacon and the hard bread. Then in the off ration bag put one emergency ration flat side down in the bottom of the bag. Next put in two packages of hard bread on the side next to the horse and one can of bacon on the outside. If this can is a Morris can, it will only fill the lower half. If it is a Dold or long can, it will reach to the top of ration bag. Packed in this way the off bag is 1 1/2 ounces heavier than the near bag, as near to a balance as the contents will permit.

(2) When canned corned beef is carried instead of bacon the same system of placing the hard bread and canned meat is followed, as above, except that the long pyramidal can of corned beef will extent to the bottom of each ration bag where its sharp edges will wear out the canvas unless a wadding of paper or hay is first thrust into the bag. In carrying this particular can of meat, care must always be taken to protect the bottom of the bag in the manner mentioned. The emergency ration in the off pocket should not be placed in the bottom but should be brought up and put alongside the corned beef can in order to give a better shape to the bag. The balance will be the same as when bacon is carried, although the rations weigh 11 ounces more.

(3) If the issue of the meat component happens to be one-half bacon and one-half corned beef, the bags are packed with three hardbread packages, two grocery components and one emergency ration on the near side and one hard bread, one bacon, and one corned-beef can on the off side. This makes the off bag 1 1/2 ounces heavier than the near bag, exactly as before.

(4) To pack the ration bags with one haversack ration and one emergency ration when the meat component of the former is bacon, place one hard-bread carton, one grocery component, and one emergency ration in the near bag. The off bag is then 2 ounces heavier than the near bag, as nearly as the contents can be made to balance. In order to keep the bag in shape stuff with hay, oats, or grass.

(5) As rations are consumed, rearrange remaining contents so as to keep the balance. If one side must be heavier than the other, let it be always the off side, thus aiding in counterbalancing the weight of the rifle. To hold remaining contents in place, stuff bags with paper or extra oats and lace the grommets with small thong. When only the emergency ration remains, put it and bags in cantle roll.

To place the filled bags on the saddled horse, first buckle a belt and stay strap to the billet depending downward and forward from each bag and couple the bags together, the lacing grommets of each bag to the rear, by engaging the hook at the extremity of each suspender into the little D ring on the upper portion of the opposite bag, then adjust suspenders to minimum length. Having first placed the shelter-tent roll and lariat across the bars just in rear of the cantle, then place over them the suspenders of the bags and pull the ends of the shelter-tent roll through the suspenders on each side so that these ends will rest on top of the bags. Fasten the pack by the center or cantle-roll coat strap lightly, and then step behind the horse and verify the balance of the pack, adjusting as necessary; then tightly grasp and bind the cantle roll, lariat, and suspenders with all coat straps, so that the pack entire rides snugly and well up above the back. Finally, engage the snap hooks of the belt and stay straps into the small D rings on the saber carrier and the rifle-carrier boot, first having made a trial adjustment of each, so that when engaged the bags will ride snugly in the correct position. When the ration bags are not needed, roll them inside the cantle roll or place them with the roll in the wagon, as the circumstances may permit.

To use the ration bags dismounted, place them side by side on the ground or on some convenient support, one set of lacing grommets superposed upon the other, and draw the lacing web snugly through these grommets. It will be retained there by friction. Place the meat can with knife, fork, and spoon, inside in the the pocket for that purpose, lace the pocket together with the thong provided, and secure covering flaps. The two bags have now formed a single knapsack. Place the knapsack on the trooper’s back, above the bandoleer in case that article is worn, suspenders up; bring the billet ends of the suspenders down in front of the shoulders, carry them under the respective arms and shoulders of the trooper, and engage the hook at the end of each into the rectangular loop at the lower end of the ration bag, either the loop on same bag with suspender or the loop on the other bag, as found more convenient. Attach the belt and stay straps to the billet pieces placed on body of suspender, if not already there, engage the hooks on these straps each into an eyelet on the cartridge belt, and adjust both the suspenders and the belt and stay strap to the particular trooper’s convenience.

To add the blanket to the dismounted trooper, form it into a convenient roll about 42 inches long, place it symmetrically on top of knapsack, break down the ends about the upper corners of the knapsack, and secure the roll snugly to the top and sides of the knapsack by the thongs provided for this purpose. When the blanket roll is inclosed in the shelter half the ropes of the latter can be used to secure the free ends of the roll to the sides of the knapsack.

(Plate VII.)

The pommel pockets are made of bag leather, 5 to 6 ounces per square foot in weight, the near and off pockets being stitched onto a base of medium harness leather, so shaped as to fit over the pommel of the saddle and suspend the pockets therefrom on either side. This base piece is made in halves, each half approximately 17 1/2 inches long and 7 1/2 inches wide at widest part where pocket is mounted upon it, and tapering down to about 3 5/8 inches wide where it passes over pommel. The two halves are joined together at the narrow part, the joint being reinforced with a strip of medium harness leather 1 3/4 inches wide and 3 5/8 inches long. The base piece above described forms the inner wall of each pocket, and the walls or gussets of the pockets and the top flaps, all of bag leather, are stitched to the base piece.

The pockets are approximately 10 inches long, 7 1/2 inches wide, and 3 1/2 inches thick, the bottoms ends being semicircular in shape.

They are attached to the saddle by engaging the high foot staples on the pommel through the slots in the base piece of the pockets and fastening them in that position, either by the billets on the base piece or by passing the double buckle coat straps through them, as will be explained later, and then passing the attaching strap on each pocket through the loop at forward end of skirt near that pocket, buckle tongue pointing to the front, drawing snug, and buckling. The near pocket contains canteen with cover and cup, in main compartment, wire cutters in smaller compartment. The off pocket contains meat can, knife, fork, and spoon in canvas bag, grooming outfit above, and sponge, soap, amid calkins, and extractor, when carried, below in main compartment, and cooling strap in its proper compartment. The small outside compartment opening from below is for the trooper’s personal needs, pipe, tobacco, etc.