I would like to see the reference on the authorization of a clerk within an infantry regiment. Keep in mind there is a difference in an authorization and a soldier being detailed to do the job. These men were extra-duty and was paid as such. This is from Regulations of the Armies of the Confederate States, 1863, p. 138. "Regimental and Brigade Commissaries are not allowed to hire citizens as clerks except when they have charge of permanent depots. Extra duty men can be employed for the service, whose pay will be twenty-five cents per day in addition to their regular pay."

Authorizations for the number of wagons per X number of men varied between Federals and Confederates, varied during various time periods during the war, varied between the armies within the themselves (i.e. Army of Northern Virginia versus Army of Tennessee), and what was authorized vice what they had on hand in reality was different too. Cumming's Brigade, Stevenson's Division had ten total wagons in October 1863 and they used those wagons solely for ordnance, no forage, no food, no "castings" (cookware and utensils), nothing else. I cover this in my journal article with the AoT and you can find authorizations in the The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Washington, D. C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880-1901.

You are correct, the terrain dictated what in reality a wagon can carry. In the terrain in the Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama triangle, wagons could carry about 1,200 lbs. of cargo. What did 1,200 lbs of cargo look like? Try twelve boxes of .577 Enfield ammunition. As far as carrying forage, they would cube out way before they would weight out.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
M.A. Military History-Civil War Studies
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment