Measuring Distance (Mileage) Marched

[tn737]

I'm wondering how troops measured the number of miles they marched. I'm reading a lot of diary and letters that mention the distance marched for the day and I'm wondering how this was calculated. I am also wondering, when they mention "we marched (miles) from (any city)" if they were referring to city center or the edge of town. I'm hoping to find camp locations and am wondering how accurate these measures were. Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

 

[Saphroneth]

My understanding is that it'd be a fairly approximate thing, so if you see "12 miles" it's probably to within a mile or so. When marching properly the distance is actually a specified number of inches (different armies had different numbers of inches) so it'd be easy enough to calculate out if you count the steps; you could also check milestones on a road major enough to have them.

In a lot of cases the camp would be quite big, as well - if a corps camped in line of march the camp could be several miles long - and remember that if the Army of the Potomac (as of November 1862) was all in one place it would be the ninth largest city in the United States (or the eighth in the Union).

 

[tn737]

My understanding is that it'd be a fairly approximate thing, so if you see "12 miles" it's probably to within a mile or so. When marching properly the distance is actually a specified number of inches (different armies had different numbers of inches) so it'd be easy enough to calculate out if you count the steps; you could also check milestones on a road major enough to have them.

In a lot of cases the camp would be quite big, as well - if a corps camped in line of march the camp could be several miles long - and remember that if the Army of the Potomac (as of November 1862) was all in one place it would be the ninth largest city in the United States (or the eighth in the Union).

Great information. I hadn't thought or even read about milestones. Were these marked along major pikes and toll roads? I'll do a bit more reading up on that.
I would also guess that they could estimate their distance fairly accurately based on how long they marched and the average distance per hour they could normally travel. I understand road conditions and weather could affect it but I'm sure after years of marching you could get pretty good at it.
Thanks!

 

[Saphroneth]

I would also guess that they could estimate their distance fairly accurately based on how long they marched and the average distance per hour they could normally travel. I understand road conditions and weather could affect it but I'm sure after years of marching you could get pretty good at it.

The best way to check that is probably going to be to look at a campaign where the camp grounds are fairly well known - for example the Loudoun Valley Campaign has the camp sites known - and see whether the march distances in the diaries accord with the march distances actually moved.

Functionally I think if someone wanted to know how far they moved they'd probably just ask around, and eventually reach someone with a map...

Great information. I hadn't thought or even read about milestones. Were these marked along major pikes and toll roads? I'll do a bit more reading up on that.

I'd expect them to be there on pikes and tolls, but that's without any actual information. On checking though I see that (for example) the Old National Pike has them.

 

[DaveBrt]

The newspapers ran articles detailing the various points, and their distances apart, each time a new area of operations was opened. Railroad guides posted distances by railroad, too, though it is unlikely a soldier would bother to carry such.

 

[Saphroneth]

The newspapers ran articles detailing the various points, and their distances apart, each time a new area of operations was opened. Railroad guides posted distances by railroad, too, though it is unlikely a soldier would bother to carry such.

That wouldn't really accord with march distances directly, though, because of the principle of parallel road columns. It'd work for locations along a pike, but for e.g. the Maryland Campaign (where you had Sumner's wing and Burnside's wing moving on parallel routes through Maryland only to converge at Frederick) the direct Washington-Frederick distance understates how far most of them actually moved.

 

[DaveBrt]

That wouldn't really accord with march distances directly, though, because of the principle of parallel road columns. It'd work for locations along a pike, but for e.g. the Maryland Campaign (where you had Sumner's wing and Burnside's wing moving on parallel routes through Maryland only to converge at Frederick) the direct Washington-Frederick distance understates how far most of them actually moved.

Of course, but if you knew two towns were 10 miles apart and you started at one and almost got to the next, you would not say you marched 15 miles -- you had reason to guess it was about 9 miles.

 

[Saphroneth]

Of course, but if you knew two towns were 10 miles apart and you started at one and almost got to the next, you would not say you marched 15 miles -- you had reason to guess it was about 9 miles.

I have to admit I'd be impressed if they included some of the waypoints involved in the Loudoun Valley campaign. Wheatland VA barely shows up on a map of Wheatland VA.

 

[Waterloo50]

I'm wondering how troops measured the number of miles they marched. I'm reading a lot of diary and letters that mention the distance marched for the day and I'm wondering how this was calculated. I am also wondering, when they mention "we marched (miles) from (any city)" if they were referring to city center or the edge of town. I'm hoping to find camp locations and am wondering how accurate these measures were. Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

How are you going to identify a possible campsite, do you intend to use a metal detector or are you going to be looking for evidence of earthworks etc. When you have worked out the rough location for a camp then I think that your going to have to study some period maps, look at the topography of the potential site. The questions that I'd be asking are, is it on route, Is it close to a water source, is it in a location that would provide a good view of the surrounding area and how easily could the particular location be defended, in other words you will need to think tactically. I think you've got a good chance to find camp locations providing that you utilise all of your resources and of course you're going to need to be persistent. I wish you very good luck.

 

[tn737]

How are you going to identify a possible campsite, do you intend to use a metal detector or are you going to be looking for evidence of earthworks etc. When you have worked out the rough location for a camp then I think that your going to have to study some period maps, look at the topography of the potential site. The questions that I'd be asking are, is it on route, Is it close to a water source, is it in a location that would provide a good view of the surrounding area and how easily could the particular location be defended, in other words you will need to think tactically. I think you've got a good chance to find camp locations providing that you utilise all of your resources and of course you're going to need to be persistent. I wish you very good luck.

I plan on using a metal detector. I am trying to learn as much as I can about how they chose a campsite location. I understand the idea of being near water but tactically, I'm a bit at a loss for how they thought. I guess if the water crossed the road, they would want their line of retreat to be behind them with the creek in front. I understand they would try to camp on the south side of hill in winter but I can see a lot of advantages to choosing a different position on the hill if it provided better access to water or if they needed to somewhat stay hidden. I guess their is lots to think about and each location can be chosen for different reasons (tactically and practically). I read the book about find campsites in rural areas but that left me with more questions than answers. I guess I'm just gonna have to get my "boots on the ground" and learn by experience. I do appreciate all the advice from those of you who have been successful. I will take any advice anyone is willing to offer.

 

[Saphroneth]

I don't think tactical concerns dictated the siting of a campsite in most cases, at least not in the East, because in most cases they were either quite a long way away from the enemy or the cavalry screens were in contact. It might be something they did just as a matter of course, though. (Certainly during the Maryland campaign some columns bivouacked in line of march, which doesn't sound like defense was a consideration to me; in the Napoleonic wars sometimes armies would bivouac in line of battle instead.)

 

[tn737]

I don't think tactical concerns dictated the siting of a campsite in most cases, at least not in the East, because in most cases they were either quite a long way away from the enemy or the cavalry screens were in contact. It might be something they did just as a matter of course, though. (Certainly during the Maryland campaign some columns bivouacked in line of march, which doesn't sound like defense was a consideration to me; in the Napoleonic wars sometimes armies would bivouac in line of battle instead.)

I guess the pickets served as their eyes and ears.

 

[Waterloo50]

I plan on using a metal detector. I am trying to learn as much as I can about how they chose a campsite location. I understand the idea of being near water but tactically, I'm a bit at a loss for how they thought. I guess if the water crossed the road, they would want their line of retreat to be behind them with the creek in front. I understand they would try to camp on the south side of hill in winter but I can see a lot of advantages to choosing a different position on the hill if it provided better access to water or if they needed to somewhat stay hidden. I guess their is lots to think about and each location can be chosen for different reasons (tactically and practically). I read the book about find campsites in rural areas but that left me with more questions than answers. I guess I'm just gonna have to get my "boots on the ground" and learn by experience. I do appreciate all the advice from those of you who have been successful. I will take any advice anyone is willing to offer.

Trust me, look at the route chosen by the troops, were they being harassed whilst marching or were they able to proceed without fear of being attacked. If you have historical evidence that the troops were able to march from A to B without issue then its likely that a more favourable camp site would be chosen, it makes sense doesn't it to set camp which has access to water, timber and grazing. I think the average marching distance would be around 15 to 30 miles per day and so, if you roughly know the direction that the troops were taking then a historical map will at least give you some idea of where you are likely to find the camps.

Think about it this way, it wouldn't it make sense to set camp four miles short of a fresh water source and thats really what I mean by thinking tactically. A few years ago I started to look for a Roman marching camp that I was sure was located in my local area, (okay its a different time period but the same rules apply for all military forces) despite my best efforts I couldn't find any likely location but then recently I looked at an area that met with all of the criteria that I have mentioned above and bingo...I have found broken shards of pottery that would have been used by the legions, Ive also found slingshot and slag from a number of furnaces and all of this in one location. I'm of course aware that the things that I have found are not definitive proof that Ive found a temporary Roman camp but I'm certain that I will find the evidence that I'm looking for. My point being that I wouldn't have found the area of the camp unless I had applied all of the things that I have mentioned above.

I should also mention that I'd be more than happy to show you some pictures of my finds, if you are interested then please feel free to send me a PM.
Best Wishes in your search.

 

[Saphroneth]

I think the average marching distance would be around 15 to 30 miles per day

This is enormously too far to be realistic. Typical marching distances were on the order of 8-12 miles per day average for extended periods, though individual forced marches could be further. (Usually a long forced march would be followed by a rest period.)

The reasons for this are many, but one of them is that armies are accompanied by horse transport (for the artillery, ammunition and food, plus medical supplies etc.) and those are the limiting factor - and if you push horses too hard they die. They can go faster over good roads and in dry conditions, and obviously slow down on bad roads or in the wet.



To illustrate what I mean, let's have a quick look at two examples which are usually highlighted as "fast marching" - Jackson in the Valley, and Sherman in Georgia.

Case 1: Jackson in the Valley.

An example of Jackson's fast marching was from Charles Town (marched out May 30) to Harrisonburg (June 6). This was along the good road of the Valley Pike, and was about 92 miles in eight marches (30,31,1,2,3,4,5,6). That's between 11-12 miles per day on average.

Case 2: Sherman's March.

Sherman's March was between 250 and 300 miles, and he marched out on November 15 and camped outside Savannah around December 10. Marching November 15 and camping on December 14 would be 30 marches, so it looks like Sherman's March was about 10 miles per day again.



I'm of course aware that armies in other periods marched further, such as Wellington's army in the Peninsula or for that matter the Romans. But they used different supply systems (bullock carts, mules and often the men themselves, who were long-service regulars rather than short-service volunteers as in America).

 

[tn737]

Trust me, look at the route chosen by the troops, were they being harassed whilst marching or were they able to proceed without fear of being attacked. If you have historical evidence that the troops were able to march from A to B without issue then its likely that a more favourable camp site would be chosen, it makes sense doesn't it to set camp which has access to water, timber and grazing. I think the average marching distance would be around 15 to 30 miles per day and so, if you roughly know the direction that the troops were taking then a historical map will at least give you some idea of where you are likely to find the camps.

Think about it this way, it wouldn't it make sense to set camp four miles short of a fresh water source and thats really what I mean by thinking tactically. A few years ago I started to look for a Roman marching camp that I was sure was located in my local area, (okay its a different time period but the same rules apply for all military forces) despite my best efforts I couldn't find any likely location but then recently I looked at an area that met with all of the criteria that I have mentioned above and bingo...I have found broken shards of pottery that would have been used by the legions, Ive also found slingshot and slag from a number of furnaces and all of this in one location. I'm of course aware that the things that I have found are not definitive proof that Ive found a temporary Roman camp but I'm certain that I will find the evidence that I'm looking for. My point being that I wouldn't have found the area of the camp unless I had applied all of the things that I have mentioned above.

I should also mention that I'd be more than happy to show you some pictures of my finds, if you are interested then please feel free to send me a PM.
Best Wishes in your search.

Waterloo,
Thank you for sharing a bit of your thought process. That is exactly what I am needing. Oh yeah, congrats on the Roman camp. I would love to find relics that old (someday perhaps on a really cool vacation). I actually nailed down a Civil War calvary camp and found my first Civil War bullet, a thimble, a saddle buckle and enough horseshoe halves to fill a small pouch. What a great feeling. That one was an easy one because the site was at a crossroads and easy to find. The ones that say "x" amount of miles from "y", seem to be a bit more of a mystery but after finding one site, now I wanna find em all. The bug has bit me!

 

[Waterloo50]

Waterloo,
Thank you for sharing a bit of your thought process. That is exactly what I am needing. Oh yeah, congrats on the Roman camp. I would love to find relics that old (someday perhaps on a really cool vacation). I actually nailed down a Civil War calvary camp and found my first Civil War bullet, a thimble, a saddle buckle and enough horseshoe halves to fill a small pouch. What a great feeling. That one was an easy one because the site was at a crossroads and easy to find. The ones that say "x" amount of miles from "y", seem to be a bit more of a mystery but after finding one site, now I wanna find em all. The bug has bit me!

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that has a number of tribal hill forts, a few of the hill forts were attacked by the 2nd Legion Augusta, my thinking was that the legion must have had a temporary marching camp within the area of the Hill Forts, I struck lucky but as of yet Ive no definitive proof but thats all part of the fun. You need to do your research but I also think you need to follow your intuition. The research is definitely the fun part, Ive been fortunate enough to have visited nearly every single 'known' roman fort in Britain, Ive also spent a lot of time in Rome and that has helped to fire my imagination and interest, immerse yourself in the history and the answers will definitely come to you.

 

[tn737]

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area that has a number of tribal hill forts, a few of the hill forts were attacked by the 2nd Legion Augusta, my thinking was that the legion must have had a temporary marching camp within the area of the Hill Forts, I struck lucky but as of yet Ive no definitive proof but thats all part of the fun. You need to do your research but I also think you need to follow your intuition. The research is definitely the fun part, Ive been fortunate enough to have visited nearly every single 'known' roman fort in Britain, Ive also spent a lot of time in Rome and that has helped to fire my imagination and interest, immerse yourself in the history and the answers will definitely come to you.

Very Cool!

 

[Rhea Cole]

George Thomas had very modern detailed maps made of Middle Tennessee. You can find them in The Official Military Atlas of The Civil War. Distances & road conditions are clearly marked. He used an atlas of local maps to write his orders. On one particularly vile stretch of road, an advance of five miles a day was recorded as an accomplishment. Artillery batteries made the 30 mile trek from Nashville to Murfreesboro on the McAdamized Pike a day.
Horses can only regularly travel 20 miles a day without breaking down. That was a limiting factor.
Turn pikes & state roads had stone mile markers. People paid taxes by maintaining the road between the marker stones.
Regulations state that men marching with a regulation step march for a given time will cover a given distance. Don't remember what that is.

 

[Saphroneth]

Horses can only regularly travel 20 miles a day without breaking down. That was a limiting factor.

I suspect that varies considerably based on the road conditions and how much you ask the horse to pull!

 

[tn737]

George Thomas had very modern detailed maps made of Middle Tennessee. You can find them in The Official Military Atlas of The Civil War. Distances & road conditions are clearly marked. He used an atlas of local maps to write his orders. On one particularly vile stretch of road, an advance of five miles a day was recorded as an accomplishment. Artillery batteries made the 30 mile trek from Nashville to Murfreesboro on the McAdamized Pike a day.
Horses can only regularly travel 20 miles a day without breaking down. That was a limiting factor.
Turn pikes & state roads had stone mile markers. People paid taxes by maintaining the road between the marker stones.
Regulations state that men marching with a regulation step march for a given time will cover a given distance. Don't remember what that is.

Rhea Cole,
Good information! I have the Atlas. I'll have to dig out the map and take a look. I see your from around Murfreesboro. I'm in Franklin. I have found several references to Bole Jack Road. Looks like it was a very bad wagon trail running North of Murfreesboro Rd. and possibly connecting to Wilkerson Pike. Do you know if any remnants remain of it today?