The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-26
Old SLAM BdNG.
The story Of an Army Muic told by one VIII o
Watched his Antics.

Wntcheo MS hhtNss
We called him Slam Bang for short, and
Old because he was old in iniquty. His right
name was Klimmonds.
lie was a sober, innocent looking tblne, about
twelve hands high, with black head and brindle
body. His tail was cut on short, which gave II
the appearance II brush broom on u stick. His
name was CIT short, and stood In row of
bristes along his neck Ills ears were nearly n
foot long. and were full OF black curly hair. lie
would always hold one ear forward while eating
at his hitchinR post, which hitching post was his
residence while at home. He bad a habit OF
sleeping while standing up, but always with one
eye open. The hair on his body was long and
stuck straight out. lilo could play 'possum on
sleep, and wake up the quickest. and kick man
higher than any other mule In the army.
He was a beautiful animal to ride In the sad
die. When mounted he would lie down and
travel on his side. II lac wouldn't do that he
would buck, and II he couldn't get you on by
bIcklng, no would bolt; and II that failed he
would rear up and fail over backward ON YOU,
and afterward Kick and bite you II YOU chanred
to he a little slow in making yourself scarce. lie
could squeal tho loudest and bite the biggest
piece out OF board Of any mule alive.
His principal amusement was to play sleep
until some dog came close to His heels aud then
the way the dogs hair would fly was eau
tlon. have known him to kick dog nifty rods
at one clip.
II you would 70 before him and lust point
your finger at him, no would lay back both ears,
part his lips enough to show his teeth, and with
a desperate lunge and squeal he would chase
you up a tree or into some other place OF safety.
His appetite was PECULIAR sometimes he re-
quircd a change of food In the way Of n soldiers
overcoat or piece Of tent. To this Kind OF food
he always helped himself. and he preferred an
overcoat taken fresh OF Of mans back In a
rainy day to any other way 1t might be served.
Nor would he ever eat a hole In atent unless the
weather chanced to be rainy. No halter, strap,
or rope would hold him; he would bite rope
In two the fret bite.
He was Of solitary disposition. never knew
him to take a shine to but one mule, and that
one had to either toe the mark or fight when
Slam was around. lie seemed to like horses on
one account-they were good mark to kick az.
The only thing you could easily approach him
with was an apple. One day a darkey gave him
an apple with rcd epper inside OF It. For tue
next half hour there was fun In that camp. Old
Kiln coughed, sneezed, and bfayed. lie was
slam enchoy for about a month, at the end Of
which time he kicked darkey about the Size
Of the one that gave him the spple) into the mid
die OF an adjoining lot. After that kim enjoyed
better health.
One day saell from the enemy whizzed over
| his head, making terrible screech. Slam low
cred his ears fiat on his neck, opened his mouth
| and made grab for II, but II wasn't there. The
| next one burst and wounded him in the shoul
| der The wound was severe, and our mule
groaned like a man, and made great fuss over
| It. He recovered; was given TO the cook OF tho
officers mess, and afterwsrd was a faithful and
| obedient animal.