The record-union., 1897-07-26
ARMY BICYCLE CORPS.
THE TWENTY-FIFTHI INFANTRY
COMPLETES ITS RIDE.
Made the Two Thousand Miles Be-
tween Missoula, Montana, and
St. Louis in Forty Days.

L.
fifth Infantry bicycle corps, which
reached this city last night, completing
the 1900 mile ride from Missoula, Mont,
in 40 days, 80 of which We're actually
spent on the road, are encamped at For
est Park. During the day thousands of
people visited the troopers. While here
the officers, Lieutenant j. nj. Moss and
Surgeon J. NJ. Kennedy, will be enter
tanned by prominent citizens, while the
troopers, who are colored men, are the
guests of local bicycle clubs. Later they
will be transferred to Jefferson Bar
racks.
The Twenty fifth Infantry bicycle
corps left Fort Missoula, Mont, on June
18th, twenty-three in number, Lieuten-
ant Moss, Surgeon Kennedy and Ed
ward H. Boss, official reporter and
twenty soldiers selected from the four
companies stationed at Fort Missoula.
During the trip one of the men was re-
turned to Fort Missoula on account of
not being able to keep up. The first
twelve days were rainy and disagree
able, but good time was made. 1t was
during these days that the main divide
OF the Rocky Mountains was crossed, as
we'll as the greater part of Montana.
There were a few pleasant days While
the corps was in Montana, and excel
lent runs were made.
In crossing the Crow Indian reserva-
ton heavy rains fell, and the corps was
stuck in the gumbo mud much OF the
time. All the way across Wyoming the
rain hampered the progress of the COM
pany and many hardships arose from
lack of good water.
The southwestern corner of South
Dakota was crossed, fifteen days being
occupied in this State. The sandy roads
were awful, and the prairie beside the
road was a field of prickly pears, max
ing travel on wheels very careful and
tiresome work. A stretch of good but
lilly road was struck after leaving
Edgemont and the run from there to the
Nebraska line was made in short order.
AS soon as Nebraska was reached,
new troubles confronted the corps in the
shape of sand hills and heat After AL
lance was reached, and for distance of
nearly 200 miles, the sand in the roads
was 8 to 10 inches deep. The road was
given up and the trail was used, the
men riding as much as possible, but
walking the greater part OF the time,
while in this deSolate country there was
no good water to drink, and number of
the men were taken sick After four
days of suffering the sand hills were
passed.
The corps passed through Grand Is
land and Lincoln, in Nebraska, and out
of that State into Missouri in July. AS
a whole the roads through Nebraska
were good, but far from being Level,
short steep hills being continually en-
countered. The roads across Missouri
were bad and hilly, and with the excep-
ton of a few gravel roads, were the
worst on the entire trip. When away
from the railroad the people We're lnhos-
pitable. and in one instance suftclent
water for cooking was refused, ana no
reliable information regarding the roads
could be gained. The heat of the last
three days of the trip was severe, and
the men suffered considerably.
The average per day was o2 2-3 miles
After leaving the Nebraska sand hills
the average was over 60 miles per day.
The bicycles stood the trip remarkably
well, but few accidents of serious ma
ture having occurred, those that did oc-
cur DelDS through Cal CiCoSii070'
In an interview Lieutenant Moss said:
"The trip proved beyond peradventure
my contention that the bicycle has
place in modern warfare. In every KIND
OF weather, over all sorts of roads, we
averaged 80 miles day. AT the end or
the tourney we are all in good phySlcal
condition. Seventeen tires and half
dozen broken frames is the sum OF our
damage The practical result OF the trip
shows that an army bicycle corps can
travel under any conditions twice as fast
as cavalry or infantry, and at one-third
the cost and effort. I am not sure
whether We will return on our wheels or
not. but will know as soon as orders are
received from Washington.