The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-11-06
The Use OF Bicycles in War.


as plaything, or as part of the ma.
cbinery Of n circus, to be used only
by experts to amuse crowd, as the
trapeze, or the balloon, gradually
| worked its way aud from toy has
come at length to be as practical for
| everyday use as the old fashioned
horse and buggy. Possibly there are
now in actual use more bicycles than
pleasure carriages of every descrip-
tion, and the bicycle has come to be a
necessity of the civilization of our
day. Its almost universal use in this
country ls matter of general remark,
and while at first the demand for it
was regarded as ''craze" or "fad,"
which would shortly die out, when
some new "fad' was started, the de-
mand continues to grow, not only
here, but throughout the civilized
world, and presently, it would seem,
tho one of either Sex who does
not ride the wheel will be the ex-
ception, like the one in these days
who never rides tho trolley or
travels by railroads. It's use
has also extended to tho army, as was
noticed more than year ago, when
some OF. our commanders tested it's
availability for the transmission of
dispatches from one army post to an
other. In France it was adopted for
this purpose some years ago, and now
we learn that it is being tested for use
by combatnuts. 70 do away with the
objection that the bicycle can only be
used whore there are roads, and good
roads ut that, folding bicycle has
been invented, which in a few seconds
the rider can fold up and pack upon
his back when he comes to u bad piece
OF road or has field to cross, and
with his rifle III hand may fight rs u
foot soldier very moderately bur-
dcned. Regulations nave also been
adopted providing for the drill of
A''S'o III us scouts or
rapid marching partisnns," and thus
1.-THE fighting whcelmun" is expressly
recognized. a folding cycle similar
to that of the French one has also
been under trial for the Austrian army.
1t Is described as small rcar.driving
snfety machine weighing little under
thirty-one pounds, with pneumatic tires
and an ordinary saddle, so constructed
that one wheel closes upon the other,
and so folded that tho rider can sling
1t upon his back and carry it without
Inconvenience, leaving both his hands
free to handle his rifle. When riding
there is n contrivance near the axle of
the front wheel for holding the rifle in
verticle position. In tho German
army there is regular system of
training the men for the use of the BIZ
cycle, and the practice with it is kept
up throughout the winter. In connec-
ton with the wheel practice there is
also system of training in the build
ing and repair of the machines, the
disposition of weights, the carrying of
the rifle and revolver, the precautions
to be taken with regard to heat and
cold, and to the care and cleaning of
the machine. So, also, during the re-
cent military manoeuvres in England
bicycle carrying telegraph instru-
ment which can run a typewriter and
reel of five miles of fine, flexible
wire, with relays Of reels extending
the service, SO that one wheel carries
thirty miles of telegraph wire and the
operating machine, the wire unwind
ing by the rotation Of the rear wheel
of the bicycle.
From this it will be learned that
the wheel has already become a prac-
tical thing for army operations as we'll
as for pleasure aud business, and that
instead of disappearing from use upon
the introduction of some new clad" or
"craze," it has in all probability be
come,a permanent adjunct to our civil
liEation. Possibly in short time we
shall see our troops mounted on
wheels-or at least corps of wheel.
men trained for special duty, as scouts
or fankers. performing their evolu-
tions on our streets, and quito as
much at home on their wheels as the
cavalry on their horses, and capable
| of rendering service quito as effective.