The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-21
THE BIoYc1B IN THE ARMY.
Lieut.. Moss Says II HAS Advantages over the
lIorac rnr scontinE Duty, sc.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2o.-The War Depart
ment has received from Second Lieut.. James A.
Moss, Twcnty.lfth Infantry. u. s. a., an inter-
osting detailed report on tho military bicycle
expedition from Fort Missoula, Mont. to st.
Louis, last juno. y distance of 1900 miles.
Lieut.. Moss commanded tho cycling force, which
consisted OF Assistant Surgeon J. NJ. Kennedy
and twonty enlisted men. His preliminary report
has been published in THE Sun, but there nro
several interesting incidents OF the journey
and some comments OF present interest in tho
detailed report. He says:
Tho bicycle will, l think. do moro to solve
the good roads question In this country than all
other factors combined. Indeed. tho l.. A. W.
colors that flew from my handlebar were tho
messenger OF dclivcrnnce from bad roads.
"Thc carrying OF the sick would have been a
very serious question but for the railroads.
Several times soldiers who were too sick 10 con.
tinue were put on the train and sent as far rs
100 miles ahead. In times OF actual warfare,
this question. however, would be of minor i'm
portanCc, when IL Is considered:
Il. The probability OF sickness could b9
greatly diminished by, selecting men Of fnc
physique and excellent health.
80. The use of the bicycle would be confined
to courier work, rapid reconnaissance s%cou,ini:
duty, &c., and movements whcra speed rather
than numbers is rcGuirod; and IL bicycle corps
would hardly ever get more than two or three
r rn"n' only % three , or four r" day m' ride e""'' over '"''
$1,000
In conclusion, Lieut.. Moss 8 VS.:
Military cycling in our army 10 in Its very
infancy, and no one but u person who has had
actual experience in this line can fully appreci-
ate the possibilities Of the wheel as a machine
for military work. The bicycle has a number of
advantages over the horse-it does not require
as much care. 1t neeis no forage. 1t moves much
fastor over fair roads, it Is not az conspicuous
and can be hidden from view more easily. II is
no!seless and raises but little dust, and 1t is I'M
possible to determine direction from Its track.
Furthermore, the fighting strength of 9 bicycle
corps Is not diminished by horse holders.
Under favorable conditions the bicycle is inyalu-
able for courier work, scouting duty, road pa
trolling. rapid reconnaissance sc.
"A bicycle CORDS. as an adjunct to infantry or
cavalry. could ronder excellent service where
speed rather than numbers is required. such as
taking possession Of passes, bridges. and strong
places ahead OF the command, and holding them
until reinforcemcnts could be gotten from the
main road. On the other hand, in rainy weather
over bad roads, &C.. the horse is superior. Til
very thought of the bicycle doing away. with
the cavalry altogether is ludicrous., Each has
peculiar functions of it's own-a particular fl Id
in which, under certain conditions, the one Ia
superior to the other. The question, therefore
which confronts us is: Should not a modern. up
to-date army have both. that it might ayai
itself of the advantages Of the one or the other
as the proper conditions present themselves T.