The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-15
TaE REVOLVING MULE.
baltimore american |

the Navy Department were in quite
huff over an effort looking into change |
in their uniforms, and there wa' q, great |
commotion "a tue one that existed dur |
ing President Pierce's administration,
when they talked Of changing the style
Of uniformsa@n the army. That event
was attended BY some very amusing in-
cidents, but the most laughable was the
part taken in it By the late Captain
Derby, or John Phonix, as he was known
in journalistic and literary circles. He
was a lieutenant at the time and stati med
in California. jeff. Davis, who was Sec
retary Of War, issued u general invitation
to officers of the army who were sklilful
draughtsmen TO send in suggestions for
the new uniform which it had been de-
cided to adopt. One such invitation was
sent TO each officer. Lieutenant Derby
was very ready with hi, pen-a really
Ingenious artist. In reply, he sent 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 sol
dier. Each officer was to carry, instead
Of sword, long pole with hook on
the end, like Shepherds crook. The
pole and ring was to enable officers t.
keep privstes from running away IN bat
tie. Fugit:yes could easily be caught
by it and brought back, and straggler'
could he kept in line Moreover, the rims
would be very useful in tue cavalry ser
vice to fasten soldiers in the saddle, Il
prevent them from falling off, and II
the artillery service the rings were to b
used for draught purposes, in the ab.enc
of mules. These specifications were ac
coinpanied by the most grotesque pict
ures, representing officers hauling bac
cowardly recruits by the serviceable rims
cavalry recureiy fastened to the tops I
their steeds by the same device, and a
; tillerymen harne sed to cannon, DRAWN
them through narrow deiles or up accli'
e tiles inaccessible to mules. On anOth'
, sheet of cardboard was an illustration
> gaudy colors of Derby's Rotary Mu
J Howitzer,' accompanied by written i
scription to this effect: Upon the bat
of young and vigilant Mule strap
: mountain howitzer, the muzzle pointi
u towards the tail. A similar piece
II ordinence is fastened with iron ban
'e under the animals abdomen. the muz
IN aimed between his forelegs to the frol
y There are four gunners--two to ca
IN piece and persuader, as he is calf
Ae whose business it is to persuade the M
10 to stand firm and not retreat, by stuf
Us him with oats, after each discharge. W
II; a tin sausage stuffer. When Indians
"a other legitimate game appear in VII
IT. the mule is, by crank movement on
tail, brought to the front. 1t don't m
any difference which way the mule ia
:, land here is where the point comes j
-, one gun is always pointing toward
80. front. At the command, Fire! the
:. howitzer is discharged. The re
throws the mule on its back, brin;
Iall the other gun into position. This b.
II discharged, the mule is suddenly thr
- on his feet again. when the eunners
A., out the mules throat with hay and
ans Load"
700 "The illustrations which accompa
these directions-in brown, red, blue
gold. and still on file in the War Del
~, ment represented the rotary null
- seven different attitudes, looking
a.. tente and happy all the time. This
49, felt to he outrageous audacity on
'r"' mart of a subaltern. The clerks IN
$ in War Department lau chad i'm no ter
und at the funny letter. but their supe
tt,
w., w. Secretary. was terribly indignant, al
o"' resolved to defend his wounded dug
ours Charge and specifications were dra'
mes, against Lieutenant Derby, and the
cers were actually nam ID fnr his
martial. when William L. Marcy.
rleoe tary Of State-s man OF c'n'id'
20 sense and self.poise-said to the
'Poh tary of War: NV. SEE here. G
the Davis, don't you do it. This Derh
IS to undoubtedly Il superiums devel'
rio. Of humor, but he is shrewd and ing
and really fine dranghtsman.
''ays valuable qualities. You can orga
r ed. court that will convict him, but yc
en-. he the butt Of ri licule on account
All your life. Better file the suggt
of the crnok.and.ring and the
'ost's rotary mule, and say nothing, Z
is to did It. Poor Derby subsequently
..oh. \ a., ;nmate of an insane ASYLUM an