The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-25

tached to their organizations, but these
cannot devote the time that is requisite to
the thorough working out of the question
This can only be done by the general gov
eminent.
There is no method by which better maps
Tor handling troops can be made than by
the use of trained men on bicycles. Tho
trails and by-ways are mines of pleasant
research to the average rider. The entire
coast should be minutely mapped with
every stream, road. path and trail, to-
gether with contours, elevations and dis
tances; all of which could easily be ae-
complished By a bicycle corps, in this way
training q class Of expert riders, who,
from their knowledge of localities, would
be invaluable in time of war, and in time
of peace would be doing an invaluable
service that can only be done by patient
and sustained labor. 1t is doubtful If the
United States possesses reliable detailed
maps. such as the wheelmen's maps Of the
neighborhood of New York. of the terri
tory that would be the first attacked by an
enemy. All military students can recall
instances of the deplorabie results occur
ring to nations through not having aeon
rate knowle edge of their own territory.
The fatal error occurring through the in-
correctness of the map used by Gen. Lee
before Richmond is case in point, and
the recent Franco-Prussian war furnished
the astonishing fact that German maps
OF France were better than the maps Of the
French.
In detailed preparations for war lies half
the battle. Not again will we be called
upon to meet undisciplined masses, eacX
side laboring under the same disadvau-
tages and arriving at the same stage Of
perfection at the same time and learning
their tactics practically at the same mo-
mene Our next war will be with a force
trained in modern methods and the time
given US for preparation will be days only.
In this time neglects cannot be rectified
and we must meet the shock prepared as
we are at the moment.
One of the most important duties in
time of war that devolves on commander
is the obtaining of exact information. 1t
il easy to send men ont, but the difficulty
is to obtain men who combine sufficiently
extended military education with the
qualities to make y successful scout.
The use of the bicycle corps would be
Invaluable in this direction, and could b
advantageously combined with the serv-
ices of the signal corps. The rapidity
with which cyclists can unite, and wheR
united put every man into action, renders
them a most telling force on the advances
line IN accommodating. Machines, a. we'd
as men, can readily be concealed, and cav.
airy can be more easily ambushed by cy.
clists, who themselves are less easily per.
ceived.
As illustrating the rapid advance es
military cycling, and the uses that pow
efful nations have put this auxiliary TO,
<he following instance of its employment
at the Easter maneuvres In England.
March, 1891, Is interesting.
Orders were received by the commando
of force five miles from the bridge and
tunnel of Lydden that q force of the in.
vading army was approaching the bridge
tunnel; that the bridge was to be de-
Tended at all hazards. In this conjuncture
he was also notified that the enemy woul1
be at the bridge in less than IN hour after
he received the notice.
The commander in question was in -
serious position, for his cavalry was Is
sent covering his front and could not Be
were eighty-seven of his cycle corps with
him, these, together with the gatling gun
on its carriage, designed for and used with
cycles, were ordered to proceed with the
utmost despatch to the threatened point.
The cycle force left the main body ct II
O'Clock q. m.
For the first mile the rate of progress
lane, greatly retarding the gatling. The
remainder of the distance was over the
ordinary country roads, and the bridge
was reached before the attacking force
came in sight. Not only was the distance
overcome in time. but the gatiing was dis
mounted from its frame and carried up .
steep hill 400 feet high and placed in posi-
the attack and holding. the position until
reinforcements arrived. The time from
the departure of the cycle corps from the
main body until they were in position on
the hill commanding the bridge WAS just
forty minutes.
During these Easter maneuvers he
cyclists were extensively employed in ~.
connoitering, averaging to the individual
over twenty-five miles daily. The paftiss
SO employed were accompanied by : gst-
ing gun mounted on . transport frame.
This frame couples two safety machines
and on it the gatling gun, on its own car.
riage. is placed. The gun so placed Is
drawn BY riders on on TWO .t other TANDEM den
can be uncoupled and ready for single use
in i've minutes. The use of the eating
gun SO mounted has passed the exper-
mental stage and Is now recognized = an
integral part Of the military cyclists' arms
ment.
In the formation Of state associations d
military cyclists. in this country, the sEros
has been committed of aiming the men
with carblnes, SO CHASING them with -
cavalry as an arm; when the value q re
cyclist, to o military expert, would lie =
the fact that here We would have mobili9
combined with the rifieman. This infanr
try should be kept auxiliary where .
properly belongs and will then create
neither ill-feeling nor confusion. The uss
of the leather case or holster, placed uuda
the seat and at right angles to the =.
axle, enables the rife to be carried WITH !
out inconvenience.
The best type Of machine should p
used. and the pneumatic tire for the iatsa l
gives the greatest speed. and the chance l
of cutting il in use in the country are ~
than they are in the cities, where they 90
in universal employment among tnoe
who can afford them.
LIEUT.. +. P. Fremont. o. 8. A