The writer of this manual, Henry W. Daly, was, at the time of its original publication in 1917, Chief Packmaster, Quartermaster's Department, U.S. Army. At the time of publication it was said that he "is the last of the old-time packers, the last of those who grew up with the pack service under Gen. George Crook, some of whom have followed ?the bell? from the British line far down into old Mexico, and later in Alaska, Cuba, China, and the Philippines. Of them all he stands foremost as the most observant, the one who has added most to the efficiency of the pack service, and one who has placed the mounted service under lasting obligations to him."The book is designed to give a general history of pack transportation, its employment in European and Asiatic countries, and its introduction into and development in the army of the United States, including a description of the various pack saddles, their comparative usefulness, and the latest improvements. The book also covers proper ways to transport materiel, supplies, weapons, wounded, etc via horse, donkey, and mule.In the school system of packing the detailed instruction of an individual packer is first considered; then the more general instructions applicable to the service of a pack train is provided for. A brief discussion of marches and loads is included, with carefully prepared tables, showing practicable marches, loads, and rates of travel, etc., for a well-organized pack train. A few notes on feeding, watering, traveling, etc., are included, as also a glossary of terms.Of both historical interest and great value to modern organizers of wilderness expeditions.