Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-25
USE OF THE WHEEL
The State Militia Is Preparing
10 Organize
A SEPARATE CYCLE COMPANY
Possibilities in the Way Of the Wheels
Use IN Modem Warfare and the
Dfa~backs-Dun Manual

corps has come 10 for fair share OF
discussion and praise from the com
handing officers Of the rsgiment and
other military msn interested IN the
possibilities Of cycling 10 war.
The organization OF such a corps for
the purpose of transmitting messages,
doing scout duty and other work OF Ike
nature IN Ihe Second was one OF the pet
schemes Of Col. L. VI. IIIsh, VINO Is
wheelman and al ardent aduIrer of the
sport Like General Miles, commander
OF the Missouri dIvis ion OF the United
states army, he believes that the cycle
Is a useful animal and can be utilized
as an organ OF warfare. Had the gall
liant colonel retained MS command he
would have used MS influence 10 Sc
cure a place for the cycllst soldiers N
the brigade organization.
Colonel Irlsn did not, however, re-
man ~ the service long enough TO see
his fond nope realized, but Just before
the encampment AZ Island Lake, Lieu
tenant Colonel McGurrn detailed
Lieut. John II. Taylor 10 command the
cycle corps, which was 10 oe composed
OF special detail of TWO men from
each company Of the regiment, II pos
slDle.
Companies That Responded
Co. c, Kalamazoo; Co. f, Grand Ha-
ven: Co.'S + aud Il of Grand Rapids,
were the only companies 10 furnish
men for the squad and on their shout
ders Was placed the task OF proving To
the Michigan brigade what the cyclers
could do.
Al the encampment the corps wss the
eenter of attraction for visitors, and
even the long wnlskersd Old farmer who
had nitched up the team ard brought
Bess and l. IL down ter see the sogers,
by gosh" hunted up the "bisckle fell
lers" aud pointed out TO the wonder
ing children how much superior "them
things were TO hoses
The corps proved 70 be so successful
At camp, anu such a material aid TO
the regimentaI commanders that 1t Is
probable that the cycles will be adopted
by the brigade and u IS among the pos
slbllItles that the state will accept and
muster q company composed entirely
of cycles, who shall be mounted on
their wheels while on marches, and
shall DO treated as company OF
mounted infantry. The cycle IS to be
used simply a. the means of Transport
tatlon, and on reaching the point at
which the company IS TO be used, the
corps will dIsmount and form asa COM
pany OF infantry.
Ia the state militia company or cy-
cles would be OF great value, As the
chief work OF the state troops IS usually
IN cities where payements exist 10 q
certain extent.
Its Value in Riots.
As organized bodies. cycle companies
would be of InestImable value In the
defense of long lines of Notifications,
and, 10 case of riots IN cities, would be
very valuable, by reason OF the rapid
ity with which they could move to any
Threatened point. But on account OF
miserable roads EXISTING IN tins coun-
try it - improbable that Cycle-Infantry
will ever be used extensively IN field
movements. Drll regulations have
recently been issued for Cycle-In Infantry.
The regulations prescribe that the
instruction with arms shall be the
same az that OF the United states III
fautry, II the cyclists tie armed with
rifles and # they be armed with car
bines the same as the United States
cavalry drll regulations.
The mounts, dlsmounts, turns, hslts,
-
foot movements as done by infantry
are prescribed for with the exception
that they are executed while on the
cycle.
Company Inspection.
The company il grouped into squads
under the leadership and immediate
control of the nOn-commis.loned Off
fficers. who are held responsible for
f4r tr.Irr of IA IL mat
OF corporal and seven men.
For inspection the company IA drawn
UP in line AMI when the order Is gwen,
each man, as the Inspector approaches,
raises first the front and then the rear
wheel and turns them that the condi-
ton Of the tires and spOkes may be
aScertained. He then turns the pedals
and pedal cranks The Inspector may
also test the brake and inspect the
lamp. bell. tool tag and pack. Each
man. after ms cycle q inspected. re-
sunles the position of attention. The
captain then causes the cycles 20 be
stacked and the rifles are inspected ac-
corning 20 the cavalry regulations. At
the state encsmpmeut the squad was
- small that these regu atoms were
not complied WITH, "A they would nave
been bad full company been on duty.
Inspected ey ts-a~rsl Miles
General Miles. who inspected the en-
csnapment. took an active interest IN
the squad and on the day OF the bril-
sade review ordered them out of the
rsnksant bad them do y fast "mIis'
over a sandy field, from which a crop
OF wheat had lstsly been removed. At
the word 20" the silent -teeds sped
away. up hiil and down. much to the
delight e the old soldier aud disCom-
fort of the rlders, vino could fee the
drops Of sweat tTiCkie down their spinal
column aud aiso feel the only boflsd
shirt they had la camp and which they
had been carefully saving for the De
truis reception. gradually melt under
tHe heat The run vas completed
much to the delight Of General Miles,.
outstanding the praise the corps
received. 81 has not entirely proved q
sdsptshlltv for use In warfare. when
rosds would have 60 BE- abandoned
and rides vout have % be nsde
ever Gelds and through woods.
~her ohsgructons 81 every Snd would
b. met wta. roads could rot Be PICKED
4nd human endurance won Z 20 tsxeo 90
Ia utmost. one tang has beer proved.
however. and that - that fha present
cycle q entirely Inadequate "a the
hartships e campaign. Il would
require a complete mschine shop -
keep them in %rapsir. THIS can be
rn-f,at 81. however. ard TIE improve
rrlent 81 ths pneuniatlc tire frcm time
- nnae decreases tne chaucc 0E hreak-