The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-09
THE ARMY MULE.
He Is a Most Patient and Necessary
Factor in All Operations.
From, tho Kapsas C;4,, g..


From the Kansas City Star.
An element of strength in war between
the United States and Spain would be the
superiority of the United States In the
matter Of mules. The United States is the
greatest mule nation in the world, and
state in the Union.
It is a remarkable fact that in this
contest Spain is also a mule country. The
ceremonial team of the royal family of
Spain is composed of white mules. But.
in this point of comparison, as in every
other the superiority of the United States
is manifest. AS the United States has
more men and more guns, so it has more
mules. Spain has, during the three years
contest with the insurgents, been forced
to draw her mule supply from the United
States, principally from Kansas City.
With war this supply will be cut off, and
the American mule, no longer being sub
ject TO draft in a cause he must despise,
win be used in the services of his own
country.
The mule became prominent in history
at the time of our civil war The long
cared champion seemed to spring from the
earth. Many volunteers from certain sec
tons of the country who had never before
seen pair of mules harnessed lived to see
thousands of them hauling army wagons.
Teamsters, also seemed to be created for
the occasion. While the art of driving
mules is a separate and distinct science,
thousands of fully qualified drivers APP
peared, ready to climb into the saddles,
armed with the resonant "blacksnake"
and a full, free, rich and rolling vocabu-
larry.
The mule, it Is needless to say, has de-
veloped in war the highest military quail
remembrance, patience and courage.
The war horse, euloglzed by Job and many
writer's since, has never displayed the
practical traits of the army mule, which
have never been preserved in blank verse
or flowing rhyme. The mule is ever act
i've, alert and watchful, and his clarion
voice, "rouses the soldier e'er the morning
star" Usually the mule does not 20
where glory waits him (thouhh Gen. Fight
ing Phil Kearney habitually rode mule),
hut is compelled to do the heavy labor of
the quartermaster's and commissarys de-
partments. But in whatsoever lot-feed lot
or any other--in which he is placed he
does his duty. He has been accused Of a
quick and even vindctive temper but in
trying times IL was never allowed to in
terfere with the performance Of his public
duties. And it was in the darkest days
and nights of the war, as his soldier as
sociates win now remember, that the bright
qualities Of the mule appeared In the
darkness and Storm with mud to the huos
he leaned to the collar and "snaked" tie
heavy .wain calm ard lmperturbable, all
though his director wrapped himself with
curses as with a garment, and rode along
enveloped in a light blue halo Of profan-
ity. And when the muddy march was
over the mule. who for days together had
dined and supped on end gates, released
from harness, and his long-vacant inte-
rior decorated with few quarts of corn
ran and raced, and squealed and kicked
and played with his fellows as il he saw
already spanning the horizon the rainbow
Of peace.
In warm and southern regions the serv-
ices of the mule are Indispensable. While
he can live anywhere, he seems a sort
ample ears first unfolded in the sun Of
the equator, and that palm leaves and
similar vegetation stirred 70 his first high
and vibrant note. In Cuba he was found
in peace and win find in war a wide field
Of exertion."
A great general has said that ian army
moves on its belly" The army with the
best sustained cracker line" must even
tually wear out It's opponent, and 1t is
the mule that sustains the Cracker lire .
TO slightly change the saying Of Gen. "
p Forrest, It is the party that gets there
the fastest with the mostest mules" on
whose banners win be twined the Iaurels
Of victory.