Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-18

a
The portals this piacard did show:
Heavens closed for the Summer vaca-
ton,
| All callers must 60 down below"
"The last time I vas in Washing
ton. said veteran army officer 10
an American correspondent. ''those
fellows up at the Naval Department
were in quite huff over an effort
looking TO a change in their uniforms
and there was Is great a commotion
as the one that existed during Presi-
dent Pierce's administration, when
they talked Of changing the styles Of
uniforms in the army. That event
was attended by some very amusing
incidents, but the most laughable
vas the part taken in it by the late
Caleb Derby. or John Phoenix. as be
was known In Journalistic and litera.
~ circles. He was a lieutenant at
the time and stationed in California.
JEFF Davis. who was Secretary of
War, Issued general invitation to
officers Of the army who were skillful
draughtsmen tn send in suggestions
for the new. uniform which It was de.
cided to adopt One such invitation
was sent to each officer.
Lieut.. Derby was ever ready with
his pen-a really ingenious artist In
reply he sent to the War Department,
not exactly q design for a new uni
form, but q peculiar addition to the
old uniform, the amendment consist
ing merely of ring attached to the
seat OF the trowsers of each private
soldier Each officer was to carry.
instead Of sword. long pole with
hook in the end like q shepherds
crook The pole and the ring enabl-
ing officers to keep privates from run
ming away in battle; fugitives could be
easily caught by it and brought back;
stragglers could be kept in line.
Moreover. the ring would be very
useful in the cavalry service to fasten
soldiers to the saddle to keep them
from falling Off, and in the artillery
service the rings were to be used for
draught purposes, in the absence Of
mules. These specifications we're &C
companied by the most grotesque pic.
lures, representing officers hauling
back cowardly recruits by the servic-
able ring, cavalry securely fastened
to the top of their steeds by the same
device and artillery men harnessed to
cannon, drawing them through mar
row files or up an activity inaccess-
ible. to mules. On another sheet of
Bristol board was an illustration In
gaudy colors of ''Derby's Rotary
Mule Howitzer," accompanied by q
written inscription to this effect.
Upon the back of young and vi
gilant mule strap q mountain howit-
ger. the muzzle pointing toward the
tail. A similar piece Of ordnance is
fatened with iron bands under the
animals abdomen, the muzzle aimed
between his forelegs to the front.
There are four gunners-two to each
q .persuader, % he is call
ed, whose business It IL to persuade
the mule to stand firm and not retreat
by stufiiing him'with oats. after each
discharge with tin sausage suffer.
When Indians or other legitimate
game appear in view, the mule is, by
a crank movement on the tail.
brouhgt to the front. 1t don't
make any difference in which way
the mule faces-and here is where
my patent comes in-one gun is al
ways pointing toward the front. At
The command "Fire!" the top howi,-
ger is discharged. The recoil throws
the mule on his back. bringing the
second into position. This is discharg.
ed, which suddenly brings the mule
to his feet again. when the gunners
swab out the mules throat with hay
and reload"
The illustrations which accompan
led these directions,-in brown, red,
blue and gold, aud still on file in the
War Department represented the
rotary mule in seven different att.
tudes, looking coptented and happy
all the time. This was felt to be out
rageous audacity on the part OF
subaltern. The clerks In the War
Department laughed at the funny let
ter lmmOuef0teiy, OUT tutit euPcsiois
looked serious. Jefferson Davis,
Secretary. was terribly Indignant and
he resolved to defend his wounded
dignity. Charges and specifications
were drawn up against Lieut.. Derby.
and the officers were actually drawn
up for his courtmartial. when VIM.
L. Murray, Secretary Of State man
OF considerable sense and self-poise--
said to the Secretary Of War: Nov,
see here, Gen. Davis. don't you do
Il This Derby has undoubtedly .
superfiuous development Of humor,
but he Is shrewd and ingenious and
really Q fine draughtsman. He has
valuable qualities. You can orga-
nize q court that will convict
him, but you will be the butt OF
ridicule on account Of it all your life.
Better file the suggestions OF the
crook and-riag and the lively rotary
mule and say nothing" Aud he did
it. Poor Derby subseQuently.became
an inmate Of an insane asylum and
later died bv suicide.