Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-25
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

American Inventions.-Wh lille writing Of
the folly Of those whose partnership in the
matter of the current war induces them to
growl over patronage Of any sort bestowed by
the belligerent governments upon Americans,
which may not involve a violation of the laws
of this land, our thoughts involuntarily turned
to the fact that the genius of our countrymen
had, of late years especially, accomplished
much, indeed, in the way Of facilitating war
Colts pistols are yet ahead of everything Of
the sort known to armies; while Pelry's and
Sharp's rifles are both regarded by practised
persons as being superior to the Minnie French
far-shooting) rife, which this war has render
cd famous. They have been thoroughly test
ed, side by side, on our frontier, and the con-
sequence is the order for the immense supply
of American patent rifles for the British, now
ferred day or two since.
Campbeli's American army saddle, too, q
new invention # great merit, might be adopt
ed IL service in the Crimea with wonderful re-
suits, far as a saving Of horse flesh is con-
cerled. In times past, we have done at least
d
Texas Ran ger, our companions in arms being,
Is q boiy, the finest hOrsemen the world held.
and rGre careful of the condition of their
animals than any other body Of mounted
troops could be; as while none of them received
pay, each man was the absolute owner of his
own horse, equipments, &c. Such soldiers may
reasonably be expected to attend more closely
to their animals than any others. Now, after
making spring and fall campaigns regularly
Tor some five years, we are able to say that at
least three-fOurths Of the knocking up of dra-
goOns or rangers horses occurring on a two
months tour Of duty, arises from CALLING the
horses back or lOins, or straining it by an i'm
proper disposition Of the load. The Texas
saddle is simply a rustic military saddle tree,
with blanket underneath and one above, to
form the cushioned seat Of the rider. 1t is
the easiest saddle heretofore extensively in
use; as the rider can dispose of the under
blanket so as greatly to relieve pressure at
any particular point on the animal, as we'll as
50 arrange his cushion as to be easiest where
he may want it easy. Yet the Texas saddle
Is by 10 means perfect one, though we have
frequently seen fine and expensive American
military and other saddles thrown On the prai-
Tie IL the course Of a long march or excursion
nd a rough Texas tree resorted to in its stead
:, save the horse from knocking up, of course u
But the latest Improvement Of the American
arLy saddle is just the thing that is wanted
81. campaigning-fUr dragon service. Up to
no in
have been so constructed as that they cannot
he nicely accommodated to the size, shape, or
coIdition Of the horse. They furnish seat,
hard and unyieldiDg to the rider; their under
blanket folds or paddings bear unequally
upon the back Of the horse, heat the skin, and
are liable 10 gall the flesh. Besides this, in
s1ddes 81 constructed. and heretofore IN ost in
Use, there are Disadvantages in the general
cIlfguratiOn and finish the pommel and
cantie being too high, and the fixtures too in
convenient for ready use. This is felt in
mounting and dismounting, in the CALLING of
the horses back by the bearing of the vaIise
behind, IN the position and use of the holsters
before, chafing both the rider and the horse,
and IL the general difficulty of adjusting the
saddle and accoutrements.
In deservedly popular and standard work
On Cavalry" by Capt. l.. Z. Nolan, fifteenth
hussars, an account is given # q cavalry sad.
die, proposed by himself as the result of ex-
tensive observation and long and thorough
experiment. The chief objects to be attained
by Capt Nolan's Improvement, are to ft the
saddie 70 every size, shape. and condition q
horse, and to accommodate the rider with a
better seat, giving him at the same time q
moro perfect control of the horse, and of his
arms and equipments. To do this he proposes
strips of Jelt, covered with serge, to be car
ried about, and increased or diminished in
number as necessity requires In other words
inc Iee Is sOiid, and must be adjusted to the