Manual for the Quartermasters Department 1916

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MANUALforQUARTERMASTERS

CAPTAINALEXANDER E. WILLIAMS

fDte Collegiate ^ress ;GEORGE BANTA PUBLISHING COMPANYMENASHA, WISCONSIN


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Copyrighted, 1916BY

CAPTAIN ALEXANDER E. WILLIAMS


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INDEXCHAPTER IPersonnel

PARAGRAPHAccountability for funds and property 4Duties of regimental Quartermasters 6-10Supply Company 3

CHAPTER IITransportation PARAGRAPH

Animals 23Aparejo 40Assignment of wagons 12 and 19Blank forms 38Combat wagons 18 and 20Corral 17Escort wagon 21 and 22Express shipments 37Field train 13Forage 24 and 27Kitchen car equipment 35Loading wagons 14 and 19Motor trucks 28-32Pack train 40Private mounts 25, 26 and 36Railroad equipment 39Railroad transportation 33-36Ration section 15 and 16


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CHAPTER IIISupplies

PARAGRAPHAccountability for Cl. Al supplies 50-53Bakery Company 56-59Bread, fresh and field 55Equipment of Bakery Company 58Fresh beef, inspection of 60Rations .' 49Ration return 45 and 54Ration tables 49

CHAPTER IVProperty PARAGRAPH

Fuel allowance for camp ; 80Property accountability . .64-66 and 70Property with militia mustered into service 86Straw for bedding 78Unit equipment 61-63Unserviceable property, disposition of 81 and 82Woolen blankets, turn into depot 77

CHAPTER VFinance

PARAGRAPHBlank forms for money accounts 109Bonds required of officers 88Bonds required with contracts 99Eight-hour day for employees 103Engagement of services 91, 92, 94Extra duty pay, when not allowed 105Guaranty, when required 98Computing time, monthly salaries 104Payment of troops, by whom 90Purchase of supplies 95-97Reward for deserter or escaped prisoner 107Transportation home for discharged soldiers 106Traveling expense, civilian employees 101 and 102


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CHAPTER VIMiscellaneous Data

PARAGRAPHBuilding plans and lists of material:For kitchens 134

For latrines 135For latrine buildings 136For picket line 137

Commissary chest equipment 120Dimensions and weight of:

Hospital tent and fly 122Hospital ward tent 123Pyramidal tent 124Storage tent and fly 125Wall tent and fly (small) 127Wall tent and fly (large) 126

Farrier's pocket case (instruments) 117Field desks (contents) 110Flags 133Horseshoer's equipment 118Housewife (contents) 119Poles, pins, etc., required for each tent 121APlan of camp for:

Regiment of Infantry 128Regiment of Cavalry 129Regiment of Artillery 130Road space required for Division 131

Set tools, carpenter and wheelwright 113Set tools, farrier's and blacksmith's IllSet tools, saddler's 112.Stencil plate set 1 10ATentage allowance for field 121Veterinarian's field equipment (list of) 114Veterinarian's saddle-bags (contents) 115Veterinary medicines (month's supply) 116Water, daily requirements 132


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INTRODUCTIONThe object of this manual is to assist officers detailed

as Quartermasters with troops in camp or in the field.The data contained herein are carefully prepared fromexisting orders, regulations and laws.To insure the prompt supply of the articles of equip-ment necessary for an organization, the Quartermastershould, first of all, know (not guess) the quantity and kindof supplies required, then submit requisition for samestating on the face of the requisition the necessity for thearticles enumerated thereon.

The requisition approved by the Commanding Officershould then be taken in person to the Division authority(usually the Quartermaster) for approval. Should a ques-tion come up at Division Headquarters as to the necessityfor supplying any article, the Quartermaster of the organi-zation will be there to explain.

This method will always result in expediting the sup-plies for an organization.The policy which some Quartermasters pursue of askingfor more than is required, expecting that the quantityasked for will be reduced, is entirely wrong, a relic of theold army and seldom if ever results satisfactorily.Alexander E. Williams,

Captain, Q. M. C.


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CHAPTER IPersonnel

1. Formerly regimental quartermasters and commis-saries assisted by second lieutenants handled all suppliesfor troops in the field beyond the rail head or advancedepot.

2. The recent law increasing the army did away withthe regimental quartermasters and commissaries and thebattalion quartermasters and commissaries, and providedinstead a supply company for each regiment, assigning tothat organization sufficient commissioned officers to lookafter the supply of the regiment.

3. Each Infantry Supply Company shall consist of onecaptain and one second lieutenant mounted; each supplytroop of Cavalry shall consist of one captain and two sec-ond lieutenants; each supply company of a regiment ofArtillery shall consist of one captain and one first lieu-tenant.

4. Existing laws permit the detail of regimental supplyofficers as assistants to post quartermasters' when in gar-rison, but prohibit their being given accountability forpost funds or property.

5. The object of this provision is to leave the regi-mental supply officers, to whom we will refer in thismanual as regimental quartermasters, always free andready to take the field with their commands. While ingarrison the regimental quartermasters are to assist insupervising the procurement, issue and use of supplies andthe engagement of services necessary for the commandsto which they belong.

6. The quartermaster is a member of the staff of theregimental commander and as such is responsible thateach organization of his regiment obtain its authorizedquota of rations and equipment and that the latter is


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8 .VAXJAL FOR QUARTERMASTERSrenewed whenever necessary to keep it always ready forfield service. He may also be required to pay the organiza-tions of his regiment when no officer of the Q. M. C. isavailable.

7. When a regiment takes the field alone the dutiesof the quartermaster are to rent camp sites, purchasenecessary fuel and forage and to provide rations andother supplies. When the regiment is a part of a largerunit, the quartermaster must obtain information as tocamping ground and procure fuel, forage, rations, etc.,from the quartermaster in charge of the advance supplydepot or line of communications.

8. On the march the senior regimental quartermasterassumes charge of all field trains in the Brigade, underdirection of the Brigade commander.

9. When troops are transported by rail it is the duty ofthe quartermaster of an organization to arrange with therailroad agent for the necessary accommodations, inspectsame, supervise the loading of supplies and animals, makeassignment of organizations, marking on outside of eachcoach the number of men and their organization assignedseats in that coach.

10. During the trip the quartermaster should keep intouch with the representative of the railroad and arrangefor the stops necessary for watering and exercising allanimals. The feeding can usually be done without specialstops.


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 9CHAPTER IITransportationWagon Transportation

12. The wagons assigned to a regiment are organizedinto field and combat trains. In the wagons of the combattrain are carried the ammunition and entrenching tools,while the field train is composed of the wagons in whichare carried the rations and baggage.

13. The field train is divided into two sections, thebaggage section and the ratign section. Each wagonshould be plainly marked to show to which section itbelongs.

14. When preparing for a march the wagons are placedand loading done under supervision of the quartermaster.After being loaded, the wagons of the ration and baggagesections are assembled and moved under his direction,while the combat wagons are assigned to battalions orother subdivisions and each follows immediately in rearof the organization to which assigned.

15. Under the present system when a command arrivesat camp, after a day's march, the men have no rations intheir haversacks except the two days' reserve which is tobe used only in an emergency. So it is of utmost impor-tance that the ration section be brought up and one day'srations issue as soon as possible after arrival of troopsin camp.

16. The ration wagons which are unloaded must besent back immediately to the rail head or distributing pointto be refilled. The baggage wagons after being unloadedshould be utilized for hauling wood and water needed incamp for preparation of meals.

17. A place should be designated as the corral, wherethe picket line will be stretched and all wagons required


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10 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERSto proceed there-as soon as released from hauling aroundcamp. No team should be unhitched before reporting atthe corral, where the wagons are parked for the night allfacing in direction to be taken when they move out nextmorning.

18. The combat wagons should report at the corral assoon as ammunition is unloaded and remain under direc-tion of the quartermaster until sent by him to report totheir respective organizations when the march is to beresumed.

19. The following table shows the allowance of wagonsfor each organization as given in the tables of organiza-tion:

Field train Ration section


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 11


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12 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERSPublic Animals

23. Following shows allowance of animals for eachregiment, including attached sanitary troops:

Infantry.Cavalry


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 13necessitates temporaiy separation from his mounts. Thecost of grooming is not a proper charge against publicfunds.

27. Forage is furnished to the following number ofhorses:Lieutenant General 4; Major General 3; Brigadier

General 3; all other mounted officers 2.Motor Truck Transportation

28. Motor trucks of one and one-half ton capacity havenow been adopted for use on the line of communications.Eventually trucks will replace the mules and wagons inour field and combat trains, then take the place of drafthorses in our field artillery.

29. The first organization of trucks ever used in ourarmy, was on the line of communications when our troopsentered Mexico in March, 1916.

30. The organization of Motor Truck Company:1 Truckmaster 1 Trumpeter messenger3 Assistant Truckmasters 28 Chauffeurs1 Machinist 27 Motor trucks1 Machinist helper 1 Repair truck1 Cook 5 Motor-cycles1 Watchman

31. A ton and half truck should make an average of5 miles to the gallon of gasoline, and 125 miles to thegallon of oil used. This is for all kinds of field service.

32. In a property book will be kept a descriptive listof all vehicles in a motor truck company, giving thequartermaster's number and the manufacturer's serialnumber of all machines and full particulars as to theequipment of each.In this book will also be recorded the personnel ofthe motor company, giving the name, assignment andlength of service, of each person in the company, whenand where first enlisted.


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14 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERSRailroad Transportation

33. For the transportation of troops by rail the fol-lowing equipment is authorized when available:For commissioned officers, standard sleeper, 3 to each

section.For enlisted men, standard tourist sleepers, 3 to each

section.For animals, Palace Arms Horse Cars, 18 animals to

each car.For freight, standard box cars.For artillery guns and caissons and wagons, set up,

flat cars.When standard equipment is not available troops willbe transported in any kind of cars available.

34. For preparing meals for troops on trains, baggage-cars are provided, in which is placed a kitchen-car equip-ment. If this equipment is not available, two field ranges,set up in boxes of dirt, in one baggage-car will be suffi-cient to prepare meals for four companies.The baggage-car thus equipped should be so placedin the train as to have two companies ahead and two inrear of the mess car. Meals should be served to the menin the various cars by mess attendants, thereby avoidingthe congestion which would result if the men should go tothe mess car for their meals.

35. There are a limited number of kitchen car equip-ments owned by the Q. M. C., part of which are kept atSt. Louis and part at San Francisco. The Pullman CarCo. also have a number of kitchen cars, but it is well toprepare for using field ranges for the regular kitchen carequipments are seldom obtainable.

36. The authorized private mounts will be transportedby the Q. M. C. for the officers changing station and forgraduates of the U. S. Military Academy, reporting for


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 17Pack Transportation

40. Pack trains are used for transporting supplies whereit is not practicable to use vehicles. . The following ispersonnel and equipment for one pack train company:1 Packmaster 14 Riding mules1 Cargadore 50 Pack mules1 Horseshoer 1 Bell horse1 Cook 50 *Aparejos10 Packers 14 Saddles

*The Aparejo complete with accessories consists of:1 Aparejo body 1 Sobrejama1 Aparejo cincha 1 Crupper1 Corona or saddle pad 1 Pack blanket

2 Pack covers or mantas.1 Last rope ( l/2 inch, fifty feet long) with cincha and

hook.1 Sling rope (^ inch rope, 30 feet long).2 Lair ropes (each y% inch by 30 feet long, with loop

at one end).


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18 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERSCHAPTER III

SuppliesSupplies for Troops in the Field

41. The chief quartermaster of a field army, or otherseparate organized unit, will be responsible, under thedirection of his commander, for the prompt and efficientsupply of subsistence, clothing, fuel and other suppliesfor troops, and forage for animals, pertaining to thecommand.

42. Method of Supply: All supplies including subsis-tence will, so far as practicable, be furnished from stockor by purchase, or both, by the designated base or otherdepot upon properly approved requisitions, requests, rationreturns, etc., or purchase locally, by chief or other quarter-masters, or by requisitions or levies in the theatre of opera-tions, and in such manner as may be directed by the com-mander of the field army or other separate organized unit.

43. Supply of troops from base depot and advanceddepots. Requisitions for supplies required by units of adivision should, unless otherwise directed by competentauthority, be submitted periodically through proper chan-nels to the division quartermaster, and by him consolidatedor not, as may be deemed the most expedient, and sentdirect to the base depot for supply; supply" being madedirect to the division, or to its units from the base depotor from the advance depot.

44. Rations are called class Al supplies, when they areobtained from the post quartermaster in garrison and inthe field from the quartermaster at the rail head or dis-tributing point. In either case the regimental quarter-master draws rations in bulk for the organizations or de-tachments of his regiment, daily or at such times andplaces as the division commander may designate, andimmediately distribute them to the various organizations.


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 1945. The rations are obtained as follows. Each organi-

zation submits ration return for stated periods. These areconsolidated by the regimental quartermaster, approvedby the commanding officer, and submitted to the issuingquartermaster who makes the issue and uses the rationreturn as voucher for dropping the supplies.

46. Officers may be included on the ration return byname, but they are required to pay for rations drawn.

47. In garrison and permanent camp, each organiza-tion is credited with money value of the rations, on itsreturn for a certain period. At the end of this rationperiod, the organization is charged with the value of ra-tions drawn from the quartermaster during that periodand paid balance, if any, in cash.When troops take the field or are ordered to concentra-tion camp, this system is suspended and rations are issuedin kind. No money is paid for rations not drawn.48. The commander of field forces has wide latitudein prescribing the ration to be issued. It should alwaysbe based on the reserve ration using that in whole or inpart, supplemented by such other articles as are procurablelocally.

In no case should the field ration be augmented toexceed in value the authorized garrison ration.

49. The following table gives components of the vari-ous rations:


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i jUH l JJS- 4"* 4"* 14' corner posts7 2"x 4"*I4' Studs2 " 2"x4"x/o' studs in gab/es12 2"x 4"*/6' plates & s///4 H /"x 4"x/2' barge boardII " /"* 4"*io' bracesII " Z"> 4"* /2' rafters & braces28 " /"* /2."x/8' roofing/2 i''*8"*l& ship/ap, sides/2 " /"*8"*/4' " ends9 " /"*8"*/8' " gablesJ * /"x4"*/8' rafter ends &2 2'6" x 6'6" screen doors, complete2 PCS. I"* 10"*16" frieze board2O yds screening , 36"4- pkgs. TacAs/o * 6 ^ nails/5 " 8d.20 " IBd.


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135. Plans and bill of material for one five-hole latrine:r

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88 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS136. Plans for latrine building:


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137.

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90 MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS137. Continued:


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MANUAL FOR QUARTERMASTERS 91137. Continued:

B/l/ ofmaterialfor P/cet Line sAe/ter(/9-9"x 96- o")Board roof.9 PCS. 4* 4-" * IB' Exter/or Posts

Cert ter/6 " 4"*4"*/2' Plates/2 " 2" x 4"* /4' Purlins at ends3 " ,2'' x4"x/2' Interior pur/ins34 " a^x^'^/o' Rafters/8 " I"x4"xlo' Braces9 " / //x6 // xZO/ T/e beams2oo " / // x/2 //X/2 / Roofing4 " /"x 6"x/4' Ridge board at ends/2 " /*x6"x/2' " ;/ inter/or sections2O Ibs /64 Wire nails50 " 84


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THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATESTAMPED BELOWAN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTSWILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURNTHIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTYWILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOURTHDAY AND TO $1.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAYOVERDUE.

MAR 17 1933


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Documents

Manual for the Quartermasters Department 1916