Ammunition is supplied to troops in cam paign in the following manner: It is shipped from arsenals to ammunition depots at the base of operations; it is then carried by the line of communications to the advance supply depot and there delivered to the ammunition trains. The combat trains are replenished from the ammunition trains, though in exceptional cases issues from a supply depot may be made direct to combat trains. From the latter am munition is delivered to the troops. At the beginning of a general engagement two wagon companies for each division engaged (includ ing the cavalry division) are loaded— one with small arms and the other with artillery am munition —and held in readiness at the advance supply depot.
Ammunition Trains.— The ammunition train of a full division is normally loaded as follows: (a) For small arms (three wagon companies, 81 wagons), 77 wagons, each with 25 boxes (1,200 rounds per box) of rifle and 1 box (2,000 rounds) of revolver ammunition, and 1 wagon with 300 boxes of revolver am munition. (b) For artillery (2 wagon com panies, 54 wagons), 51 wagons, each with 25 boxes (4 pounds per box), and 1 wagon with artillery stores. If available, caissons instead of wagons may be used for carrying artillery ammunition. F.ach caisson carries 106 rounds, or 48 caissons would carry about the same as 51 wagons. During combat the ammunition train takes station as ordered. It is generally in a protected position, near good roads if possible, where the empty battalion ammunition wagons or caissons can be replenished. It may be advisable to divide the train and assign the parts to different positions in rear of the line. A brigade commander may select a rendezvous station for the empty battalion ammunition wagons of his command and request that wagons from the ammunition train be sent to that place to refill battalion wagons. The po sition of an ammunition train, or detached part thereof, is marked by a red flag during the day, and by a red lantern at night.
Combat Trains.— The small-arms ammuni tion wagon (2 for each infantry battalion and 1 for each squadron) in addition to intrenching tools, etc., is usually loaded as follows: In fantry, 22 boxes of rifle ammunition; cavalry, 20 boxes of rifle and 4 revolver ammunition. Ammunition in the artillery combat trains is carried in caissons. Battalion commanders are charged with keeping their ammunition wagons properly filled and equipped.
As as rule, combat trams march immediately in rear of the battalion unit to which assigned, though when combat is not probable they may be assembled in rear of their respective regi ments, or sent to join the trains.
Infantry.— The distribution' of small-arms ammunition allows 330 rounds per rifle, with a reserve for machine guns, etc. Engineers or signal troops requiring ammunition draw from the nearest ammunition wagons. Cavalry and other men armed with both rifle and re volver carry in the belt 90 rounds of rifle and 20 rounds of revolver ammunition.
In campaign all officers and non-commis sioned officers endeavor to keep the belts of their men filled with ammunition. Not only
must advantage be taken of every opportunity to replenish the supply, but prospective expend itures must be anticipated by issuing ammuni tion in advance. As troops go into combat two bandoliers from the combat train are issued to each man, unless otherwise ordered. If addi tional ammunition is needed the combat, the lead mules of battalion ammunition wagons may be converted into pack mules and ammuni tion delivered to the firing line in that manner. If this is impracticable, small squads of men under non-commissioned officers may be de tailed to carry ammunition to special parts of the firing line, or reinforcements may be given extra ammunition for that purpose. If available the division pack train is used to carry ammunition to ground impracticable wagons, or wherever it may be urgently needed.
Every lull in the fight must be utilized to renew the supply, and to equalize the same in 'f each company. ile contents of the belts of the dead and wounded are distributed whenever practicable, though the latter must not be left wholly without means of self-defense. In no case are men sent to the rear for ammunition, if it can be obtained in any other manner. When ammunition is running low, officers caution the men to reserve a few rounds each for emer gencies. The morning following an engage ent should find the firing line and all ammuni tion wagons replenished.
Cavalry.—Ammunition Train.—The ammu nition train of a cavalry division is normally loaded as follows: (a) For small-arms (2 wagon companies, 54 wagons)— 52 wagons, each with 20 boxes of rifle and 4 boxes of revolver ammunition. (b) For artillery (1 wagon company, 27 wagons)-25 wagons, each with 25 boxes, and 1 wagon with 12 boxes and artillery stores. Rations, forage and the neces sary intreuching tools are also carried, but the loads are kept as light as possible. The ammu nition for a cavalry division is carried, distrib uted and replaced substantially as in the case of infantry, the cavalryman carrying 90 rounds of rifle and 20 rounds of revolver ammunition in the belt, and, when combat is imminent 60 rounds of rifle and 20 of revolver ammunition in the saddle bags. Combat trains of cavalry acting independently generally march with the horse artillery, if any; otherwise in rear of their squadrons or regiments or with the ammu nition train. As cavalry in campaign is liable to be separated from its combat and ammuni tion trains, it is authorized, in such emergencies, to draw from the most available ammunition wagons or source of supply. The use of pack animals is often necessary.
Ammunition Supply for a Field Army.— To replace ammunition used in combat an amount not less than that carried by the mobile forces should be kept at or near the advance supply depot, and an additional amount approxi mately equal to all ammunition in advance of the base should be available at the base of operations or other depots. This distribution, in rounds, is shown in the foregoing table. See