Friday, February 19, 2010

Late 19th Century US Army Wheeled Vehicles

These illustrations are from a book with the daunting title of:

SPECIFICATIONS

FOR

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION,

PAULINS, STOVES AND RANGES,

AND

LANPS AND FIXTURES

FOR

USE IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY


Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1882

Six-Mule Army Wagon:
Pulled by six mules with the driver on the near wheeler controlling the team with voice commands and a jerk line. The wagon weighed 1,950 pounds and could carry about two tons.
Some forms of this wagon were used until the 1930's by Engineer pontoon bridge companies to carry the pontoons, trusses and chess.




Two-Horse, or Four-Horse or Four-Mule Wagon:
Similar to the later Escort Wagon, this vehicle carried about a ton. The driver controlled his undetermined number of animals from the driver's seat with reins. Wagon weight was 1,555 pounds and it carried about one ton.



Sectionalized view of the Two-Horse, or Four-Horse or Four-Mule Wagon.
Note how the internal seats are sprung.


Dougherty Spring Wagon:
A form of stage coach utilized by the US Army, pulled by two to four animals.

Ambulance
Sectionalized view of the Ambulance.