559 Series I Volume XXV-II Serial 40 - Chancellorsville Part II
Page 559 | Chapter XXXVII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION. |
The following is a list of transportation accompanying the reserve train:
Trains, &c. Number of army Number of Total number
wagons. pounds carried of pounds
by each. carried.
Division and 13 2,400 31,200
brigade
headquarters
Hospital 28 2,400 67,200
stores, one
wagon per
regiment
Regiment 56 2,400 134,400
officers'
baggage, camp
and garrison
equipage
Regiment 49 2,400 117,600
wagons, with
forage and
rations
Five 15 2,500 37,500
batteries,
with forage
and provisions
Supply train, 71 2,300 163,300
with six days'
rations
Supply train, 33 2,400 86,400
with forage
Supply train, 7 2,400 16,800
with
intrenching
tools
Supply train, 6 2,400 14,400
with medical
stores
Stores for 6 2,400 14,400
sale to
officers
Division 49 1,898 93,002
ordnance
train, small-arms
ammunition
Division 20 1,840 36,800
ordnance
trains,
artillery
ammunition
Total 353 27,738 813,002
transportation
and loading
Trains, &c. Number of rounds Number rounds
small-arms artillery
ammunition ammunition
carried. carried.
Division and brigade -- --
headquarters
Hospital stores, one -- --
wagon per regiment
Regiment officers' -- --
baggage, camp and
garrison equipage
Regiment wagons, with -- --
forage and rations
Five batteries, with -- --
forage and provisions
Supply train, with six -- --
days' rations
Supply train, with forage -- --
Supply train, with -- --
intrenching tools
Supply train, with -- --
medical stores
Stores for sale to -- --
officers
Division ordnance train, 833,000 --
small-arms ammunition
Division ordnance trains, -- 2,976
artillery ammunition
Total transportation and 833,000 2,976
loading
Average load on each wagon, 2,303 pounds.
Pounds.
Each man carried in his knapsack and on his
person eight days' marching ration.................. 16
60 rounds of ammunition.............................. 6
1 blanket, 1 overcoat (or rubber blanket), one-half
shelter-tent, 1 shirt, 1 pair drawers, 1 pair socks,
1 knapsack, and 1 haversack............................ 11
Gun and accouterments.................................. 11
Total weight carried by each man....................... 44
For the purpose of estimating the loss in clothing, camp and garrison equipage thrown away and left on the field, I accompany this report with a list of these articles supplied on requisition from the date of the return to this camp (May 7) to the present date, at which time the men are fully supplied,
The loss in overcoats was probably the greatest, but as the men do not require for the loss, at this season, it does not appear [sic.]. The best criterion by which to judge of the waste is in blankets, the amount drawn for being 3,011. Our effective force being now 8,000, three-eighths of the men have lost one blanket each. The knapsacks drawn amount to 4,614, showing more than half lost, probably on the battle-field, by being relieved of them during action.
Four thousand shelter-tents have been supplied, showing a loss of one-half; 1,768 canteens have been supplied, one-fifth lost; 2,980 haversacks supplied, three-eighths lost; 3,017 rubber blankets supplied, three-eighths lost. The balance, being articles of clothing supposed to be worn out, ar not noticed.
Not having been with the marching column, I cannot decide from observation on the question of the advantage of loading the men heavily and with knapsacks. Reliable officers inform me that the men, though much fatigued, did not straggle, and that the result of the last march is more successful than former marches, when the roads were incumbered by trains. I consider the experiment of using pack-mules successful, and, with the experience we have had in the last march, it will prove an important part of the transportation.
Respectfully submitted by your obedient servant,
W. R. HOPKINS,
Lieutenant Colonel, and Chief Quartermaster Twelfth Army Corps.
Page 559 | Chapter XXXVII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION. |