"Ten Years in the Ranks - U.S. Army" by Augustus Meyers

"As the soldiers’ clothing was made up in men’s sizes only, there were none to fit the boys. I believe there were about six different sizes in shoes and three or four in clothing. The smallest size in clothing, No. 1, was issued to me, and I was sent to the tailor. He took my measure and altered the great coat, jackets and trousers….. The cost of these alterations were deducted from my first pay due. It was moderate enough, for the tailor’s price as well as those of the laundress and the sutler were fixed by the Post Council of Administration. With the shirts and drawers I was obliged to get along without alterations, voluminous though they were. The shoes were too large for me also, but the thick woolen socks helped to fill them. No dress coats were furnished to the boys while they were on the island. We only got those after joining a regiment."