Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-06-19

slung to their backs. cartridge
boxes and well defined duties. ="
However, not until 1885 were military
cyclists employed in England, and then
they made very successful experiment,
using them as scouts during the Eastern
manGuvres. This was in the Sussex
regimf Mt, who have ever since en-
ployed them with advantage wherever
field operations have been practiced.
A couple of years later commander
during some evolutions, finding himself
short of cavalry, conceived the bold idea
OF using cyclists as scouts on the TANKS
of his line Of march. This was scratch
cyclist corps made up Of volunteers and
civilians, some of whom had no military
knowledge whatever, but they soon fell
into what was required Of them. The
main body of the cyclists moved for
ward ia the center OF the road, while
the fankers on their bicycles secured
the country from eight to ten miles on
each side. During these same man9u-
vers two picked wheeimen were sent
out on a special mission aud rode nifty
miles in under FIVE hours, though puch
OF the road was in bad condition.
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION.
The success, detailed above, OF the
first employment of cyclists as cavalry
men led to the formation in England,
by authority, OF several bodies OF
military cyclists. Acyclist corps, known
as the Twenty-sx Middlesex, probably
the most thorough organized body Of
wheelmen In the world was created by
the direction OF the War Secretary,
composed OF 12O men Of all ranks.
There is also in England a well form
lated scheme for training the regular
soldiers as cyclists, at Adershot, under
the superintendence Of the gymnasium
inspector. Besides, volunteer battallons
have been granted permission TO organ
ize cyclist sections within their estab-
lishments, the strength TO be one OH
Ger, TWO non-commisioned officers,
twelve to twenty priyates and one ou-
gler.
In August Of 1887, a series OF instruc-
tions concerning the formation OF cycle
corps, their duties. drills, tactics, &c,
their arms, uniforms, training and the
like, were set forth. These instructions
also indicated clearly that it was the In
ton Of the authorities TO employ the cy-
clsts not merely as messengers, but as
a lightning force to perform such duties
as might fall to the lot OF mounted In
fantry.
So much has been given about Eng
lands cyclists because even IN the mi
tial organization Of her bodies Of MILL
tary cyclists the authorities enlarged
upon the greater function Of the riders,
who, as seen ABOVE, might be employed |
as infantry. In the armies OF the Con-
tIpent cyclists as rule are employed Ia |
performlng duties Of minor Importance. |
FOR MOUNTED INFANTRY DUTY.
To use bicyclists IS mounted infantry |
IS precisely one Of the points OF great
inheritance emphasized by General |
Miles. "In the case" he said, ''of two
commanders striving TO reach strate- |
qfc uOint. IL seems clear 10 me that the |
man whose army could travel fifty miles
a day on bicycies,or who could move an |
army even four or five miles day faster |
than his enemy, would have half won |
the battle. Why, he could arrive and |
be firmly entrenched before the other |
fellow could gei withln three days Of
him."
A word now as to the machine to be
used. Nearly every country has tried
the ordinary big wheel bicycle, the tri-
cyle and tandem wheels. The ordinary
bicycle, though an excellent touring
machine, is not yet well adapted 10
military purposes, compared with the
safety bicycle. The heights greater
and the rider more conspicuous; the
weight Is high up and almost over the
centre Of the front wheel, so that when
II strikes an obstacle there is danger Of
taking q header. Difficulties also arise
as regards carrying arms, ammunition
and kit. and finally the labor OF mount
ing and disnonntlng is greater.
ADVANTAGE THE SAFETY WHEEL
The safe cycle appears from ell
be the best all-rnnp