Not sure if you are still compiling information, but a while ago I came across another period manual that does give some extra details. It's too bad no single period manual answers all the questions, but it is always nice to find more. The manual I came across was "The School of the Guides" and you can currently view it on google books http://books.google.com/books?id=CWwDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=school+of+the+guides&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false I hope this may be a new source that someone might find interesting.