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Shelter and Combination Tents.

An Improved Form Of The "Tente D'Abris" with Combinations for
Open Tents, Half Tents and Close Tents.

By Chas. Whittlesey (Charles Whittlesey),
of Cleveland, Ohio,
Formerly Lieutenant of the 5th Regiment U. S. Infantry, and late Colonel of the 20th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Having been engaged for many years in explorations upon the waters of Lake Superior and the Upper Missis-
sippi, with reference to minerals, I found it necessary to use very light, open or half-tents, because everything was
to be carried upon the backs of men or in bark canoes.

My recent experience, has shown that armies in the field are impeded, and often distressed, for want of trans-
portation; and unless the soldier can carry his own shelter, he is by no means sure of having one.

I have therefore made an effort to adjust the light open tent more perfectly to military purposes. In regions
where wood can be had for fires, I'm satisfied that the half-tent, set up with its back to the wind and the front
close to the fire, is more cheerful and more healthy than close tents.

My improvement consists in giving the "tente d'abris" a triangular form, and so constructing it that many pieces
can be united, constituting half-tents, open tents and close tents, of various capacities - thus:

[illustration]

The size is not essential, but I have adopted an isoceles triangle of nine (9) foot base
and nine (9) foot hight [height]; which weighs, when made of drilling or sheeting, two and 56/100
pounds. For some uses, a base of 7 feet is better.

At the base is a flap or "swab" and loops for pickets to fasten it to the ground, hav-
ing strings like the flaps at the sides. On each side is a flap of four (4) inches width, with
strings at the edge, to attach it to other pieces; also a double set of strings, or loops, one
row on each side of the cloth, four inches within the edge. Within each corner is a hole
to receive a pole, and at each corner a picket loop. A cord is worked in around the
edge of each piece to give it strength. [illustration]

But one pattern is used throghout, which may be of canvass, duck, drilling or sheet-
ing, as may be required by the country, the service, and the means of command for transportation. It is intended,
however, to be as light as possible, and to be carried by the men, or parked upon animals.

The pieces may be attached direct or inverted, and may be joined by their bases as well as by their edges. A
single triangle may be set up straight, the point or either corner fastened to a tree, post or both; or it may be stretched
over a horizontal pole or rail; as a "tente d'abris" - thus: [illustration]

If the pole is 8 feet from the ground, the sheltered space, cross-wise, is seven
feet; at one end 9 feet wide, at the middle 5 feet; coming to a point at the oppo-
site side. A musket can be used in the place of the horizontal pole.

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