The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-03-20
John PhUnix and JEFF. Davis.

"A New York correspondent of the In
dianapolis Journal gives the following
interesting "Reminiscences of the late John
Phenix-Lieutenant Derby, of the U. S.
Army:
When Frank Pierce was President,
JEFF. Davis, then secretary of war, issued
q general invitation to officers OF the
army who were skilled draughtsmen to
send in suggestions for the new uniform
which it had been decided to adopt. One
such invitation was sent to each officer.
Lieutenant Derby was very ready with
his pen-a really ingenious artist. Iu
reply he sent to the War Department q.
design for new uniform-or rather a
peculiar addition to the old uniform
the amendment consisting merely of a
ring attached to the seat of trousers Of
each private soldier. Each officer was
to carry, instead of sword, long pole
with hook in the end like a shepherds
crook. The pole and the ring enabled
officers to keep privates from running
away in battle. Fugitives could easily
be caught by it and brought back.
Stragglers could be kept in line. More
over, the ring would be very useful iu
the cavalry services to fasten soldiers to
the saddle to prevent them falling off;
and in the artillery service the rings
were to be used for draught purposes in
the absence ofmules.
The specifications were accompanied
by tho most grotesque pictures, reprcseu-
ting officers hauling back cowardly re-
cruits by the serviceable ring, cavalry Sc
curely fastened to the top of their steeds
by the same device, and artilleryman
harnessed to cannon, drawing them
through narrow defiles, or up an accliv-
iy inaccessible to mules, by cables at
tached to the posterior staples.
On another sheet of bristol-board was
an illustration in gaudy colors of "Der-
buys Rotary mnle Howitzer," accompa-
MED by the following description:
"Upon the back of young and vigi-
liant mule strap mountain howitzer,
the mu2zle pointing towards the tail.
A similar piece of ordinance is fastened
with iron bands under the animals alb
domen, the muzzle aimed between his
fore-legs to the front. There are four
gunners, two to, each piece, and per
suader,' as he is called, whose business it
is to persuade the mule to stand firm aud
not retreat, by stuf6ng him with oats,
after each discharge, with tin sausage
suffer. When Indians, or other legit-
innate game appear in view, the mule is,
by crank movement on tho tail, linn
bered to the front. 1t don't make any
difference which way the mule faces land
there is where my patent comes in) one
gums always pointing towards the front.
At the command Fire 7 the top howit-
zer is discharged. The recoil throws the
mule on his back, bringing the second
gun into position. This is discharged,
which suddenly throws the mule to his
feet again, when the gunners swab out
the mules throat with hay and reload"
The accompanying illustrations lin
brown, red, blue and gold, and still on
file in the War Department., represen-
ted the rotary mule in seven different
attitudes, looking contented and happy
all the time
This was felt to be outrageous audaci-
ty on the part of subaltern., The clerks
in the War Department laughed at the
funny letter immoderately, but their su
pericrs looked serious. Jefferson Davis,
the head of the department., was terribly
indignant, and resolved to defend his
wounded dignity. Charges and speci6-
cations were drawn up against Lieuten-
ant Derby, aud the officers were actually
named for his court. martial, when VIM.
L. Marcy, Secretary Of State, q man of
more sense and selfpoise, said to the
irate Secretary: snow, see here, Gene.
raj Davis (; don't do it. This Derby has
undoubtedly superfuous development
of, humor. But he is shrewd and inge-
nious, and really fine draughtsman.
He has valuable qualities. You can
organize court that will convict him,
but you will be butt of ridicule for it
all your life. Better file the suggestions
of the crook and ring and the lively rota-
ry mule, and say nothing" And he
did.