The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-26
The Revolving Mule.
JOHN PHGNIx's INVENTION STILL ON FILE
IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
JBaltimore Americana


baltimore Americana
"The last time l was in Washington"
said veteran army officer to the american
correspondent, ." those fellows up at the
Navy Department were in quite hun over
an effort looking TO change in their uni
forms, and there was as great commoti0n
as the one that existed during President
Pierce's administration when they talked
OF changing the styles OF uniforms III the
army. That event was attended by some
very amusing incidents, but the most
laughabe was the part taken in II by the
late Captain Derby, or John PheniX, as
he was known i'm journalistic and liter
airy circles. He was a lieutenant NJ the
time and stationed in California. Jeli. Davis,
who was Secretary OF War, issued gene
raj invitation to officers OF the army who
were skilful draughtsmen to send in sug-
gestons for the new. uniform which II had
been decided to adopt. One such invita-
ton was sent to each officer. Lieutenant
Derby was very ready with his pen-a
really ingenious artist. In reply he sent TO
the War Department, not exactly design
for a new uniform. but peculiar addition
to the old uniform, the amendment con-
sisting merely OF ring attached TO the seat
of the trousers Of each private soldier.
Each officer was to carry, instead OF
sword. long pole with hook IN the
end. like shepherds crook. The pole
and the ring enabled officers to keep prl-
Yates from running away IN battle.
Fucltives 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 prevent
them from falling OIL, and in the artillery
service the rings were TO be used Tor
draught purposes, in the absence OF mules.
These specifications were accompanied by
the most grotesque pictures, representing
officers hauling back cowardly recruits by
the serviceable ring, cavalry securely fas-
tened to the tops OF their stceds by the
same device, and artillerymen harnessed to
cannon. drawing them through narrow de-
files or up an ACTIVITY inaccessible 10
mules. On another sheet OF Bristol
board was an illustration in gaudy colors
OF 'Derby's Rotary Mule HowitZer,' ac-
companied by written inscription to this
effect: Upon the back OF young and
vigilant mule strap mountain now
itzer, the muZzlc pointing towards
the tail. A similar piece OF ordi-
nance Is fastened with iron bands
under the animals abdomen, the muZZle
aimed between his forelegs to the front.
There are four gunners-two to each
piece-and'a persuader," a he l. called,
whose business il is TO persuade the mule
to stand firm and not retreat by stuliing
him with oats, after each discharge, with a
tin sausage.stufler. When Indians or other
legitimate game appear in view the mule Is,
by a crank movement on the tail. brought
10 the front. IL don't make any difference
which way the mule faces-and here Is
where my patent comes in-0ne gun Is al
ways pointing towards The front. AT the
command Fire - the top bowitZer Is
discharged The recoil throws the mule
on his back, bringing the second gun INTO
position. This is discharged, which sud
denly throws the mule on his feet again,
when the glInners swab out the mules
throat with hay and reload
"The illustrations which accompanied
these directions-in brown, red. blue, and
gold, and still on file in the War Depart
ment-represeIted the rotary mule in seven
different attitudes, looking contentcd and
happy all the time. This was felt TO be
outrageous audaclty on the part OF sub
altern. The clerks in the War Department
laughed at the funny letter immoderately,
but their superIors looked serious. Jefler-
son Davis, the Secretary, was terribly in
denant and he resolved TO defend his
wounded dignity. This is an amendment.
We have always understood that Mr.. Da-
Wis enjoyed the joke as much as any one.l
Charges and specifications were drawn
up against Lieutenant Derby. and
the officers were actually named for
his court-martial, when William X.
Marcy, Secretary OF State-a man OF
considerable sense and sef-polse-Said TO
the Secretary of War: Now, see here,
General Davis, don't you do ii. This
Derby has undoubtedly superfluous de-
yeopment of humor, but he is shrewd and
ingenious and really fine craftsman. He
has valuable qualities. You can organize
a court that will convict him, but you will
be the butt of ridicule on account OF il all
your life. Better file the suggestions OF
the crook-and-ring and the lively rotary
mule and say nothing And he did ii.
Poor Derby subsequently became an in
mate OF an insane asylum. and later died
by suicidev