New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-26
SOLDIERS ON THE WHEEL.
LONG RIDE OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH
INFANTRY BICYCLE CORPS
THE 1900 MILES FROM FORT MIssoULA TO ST.
LOUIS COVERED IN FORTY DAYs-THE
TRIP SUCCESS. THOUGH MANY
HARDSHIPs WE'RE EN-
COCNTERED.


ST. Louis July ,5-I ne 18th United States In
fantry Bicycle Corps. which reached this city last
night completing their l.scO-me ride from Fort
Missoula Mont In forty days, thlrty-fve OF which
were actually spent on the road, are encamped AT
Forest Park. Despite the rain that fell last night
and this afternoon. thousands OF people visited the
soldiers the park. During their stay here the
officers. Lieutenant J. A. Moss and Surgeon j. NJ.
Kennedy will be entertained by prominent citizens.
while the soldiers. who colored men. are the
guests OF local bicycle clubs. and later VIII be trans
ferred to the Jefferson Barracks.
The 25th United States Infantry Bicycle Corps
left Fort Mssoula Mont. on June IA. twenty
three in number. Lieutenant J. A. Moss, Surgeon
]. NJ. Kennedy and Edward H. Boos. the official
reporter, and twenty soldiers selected from the
four companies stationed at Fort Mssoula made
up the corps. During the trip one OF the men
sent back TO Fort Missoula on account OF not
being able TO keep up
The first twelve days Of the trip were rainy and
dlsagreeable. but good time was made. neverthe-
less 1t during these days that the main
divide of the mountains was crossed. as well as
the greater part of Montana. There were few
pleasant days while the troops were in Montana.
While crossing the Crow Indian Reservation heavy
rains prevailed, and the corps was stuck In the
mud much Of the time. All the way across Wyo-
ming rain hampered the progress OF the company.
and many hardships from lack OF good water.
The southwestern corner Of South Dakota was
crossed. two days being occupied In that State
The sandy roads awful and the prairie beside
the road was field Of prckly pears. making travel
on the wheels careful and tiresome work. A
stretch of good but hilly road was struck after
leaving Edgemont and the run from there 10 the
Nebraska line made In short order. As soon as
Nebraska was reached new troubles confronted
the corps in the shape of sand hills and heat
From the State line to Alliance the roads were
fair being sandy only In patches but after Al
lance was reached and for nearly two hundred
miles the sand in the road was eight and ten inches
deep The road given up and the railroad was
used the men riding much as possible out Walk
ing the greater part OF the time. While In this
desoate country there was no good water 10 drlhk
and number Of the men taken ILL., After
four days OF suffering the sand hills were passed
The CORPS passed through Grand Island. Lincoln
and Table Rock. in Nebraska. and out OF that
State into Missouri on July II. at Rulo AS
whole the roads through Nebraska are good, but
far from being level short. steep hills being con-
tinually encountered.
The first camp made at Napier ST joseph.
Hamilton, Macon. Louisiana and St Peters peihe
camping places for the other nights. The roads
across Missouri were bad and hilly, and, with the
execution of a few gravel roads. were the worst on
the entire trip. When away from the railroad 'he
people were inhosptable and no Trustworthy IN
formation regarding the roads could be gained
The heat for the last three days Of the trip was
severe and hard on the men
The distance covered the trip was 1900 miles
the daily average run being 30 2-3 miles After
leaving the Nebraska sandhills the average was
over sixty miles a day. The men stood the trip re-
markably well. Few accidents OF serious nature
occurred those that did being through care
Iessness According Lieutenant Moss. the TRIP
was a success from n military point Of view.
In an interview to-day Lieutenant Moss said:
"The trip has proved beyond peradventure my
contention that the bicycle has place In modern
warfare In every kind Of weather, over all SORTS
NJ roads we averaged fifty miles day. AT the
end Of the tourney we all in good physical
condition Seventeen tires and half dozen
fra,nes js the sum OF our damage. The practical
| result OF the trip shows that an army bicycIe
| corps can travel twice as fast as cavalry or IN
fsntrv under any conditions. and at one-thlrd the
| cost and effort. / am not sure whether we VIII
ro,,,rn on our wheels not but Will know as soon
ar orders are received from Washington.