New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
THE ARMY MULE.
HE IS MOST PATIENT AND NECESSARY
FACTOR IN ALL OPERATIONS


From The Kansas city Star.
An element OF strength In war between the
United States and Spain would be the supe-
riority OF the United states in the matter or
mules The United States Is the greatest mule
nation IN the world and Missouri is the bright
particular mule State In the Union.
It Is remarkable fact that in this contest
Spain Is also mule country. The ceremonial
team OF the royal family OF Spain is composed
of white mules. But I'm this point OF COMPARE
son. as in every other the super GRITTY OF the
United states is manifest As the United States
has more men and more guns. 20 II has more
mules Spain has. during the three years con-
test with the Insurgents. been forced 10 draw
ncr mule supply from the United States. prin-
clpally from Kansas city. with war this sup
ply vi. be cut IN. and the American mule. no
longer being subject 10 draft in "a cause he must
dcspsc viii be- used In the service Of his own
country
The mule became prominent in history AT the
tine u our Ciyil War. The long AIRED cham
pion seemed 10 spring from the earth Many
volunteers from certain sections - tho country
who had never before seen pair II mules har-
messed lived to thousands II them hauling
army wagons Transfers. also med 10 be-
created ~ the occasion. Will" the art OF
driving mules Is separate and distinct science.
thou ands u fully qualified drivers appeared.
ready 20 climb into the saddle. armed with the
resonant black make" and u full. free rich
and rolling vocabulary
The mule II * needless 70 say. has Developed
in the highest military qualities endur-
ance. patience. courage. The war horse eulo-
gized by job and many writer's since. has never
displayed the practical traits " the army mule.
which have never been preserved in blank verse
or flowing rhyme. Tn" mul" IL eyer active. alert
and watrhful and his clarion voice. "rouscs the
soldier Ger the morning star" Usually the
mule does not go where glory waits him Though
General Fighting Philip Kedrny hahitually rode
a mulc) but Is compelled to DO the heavy labor
OF the quart"rmlStcr's and commissary's de-
partmcnts But IN Whatsoever lot feed lot or
any other in which h" Is placed. h. does his
duty. He has been accused Of "A quick and even
yindictivc temper. but in trying times it was
never allowed to interfere with the performance
OF his public duties And il was In the darkest
days and nights ~ the war "a his soldier as
socia,cs VIII now remember. that the bright
qualities OF tho mule appeared. In the darkness
and Storm with mud to the hubs. he leaned to
the collar and "snaked" the heavy vain calm
and impcrturhablc. although his director
wrapped himself with curses As with garment
and rode along cnyclopcd in Il light blue halo
OF profanity And when the muddy march was
over the mule. who for days together had Lined
and supped on end gates released from harness
and his long vacant interior decorated with n
few quarts OF corn. ran and raced and squcaled
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 services Of
the mule are Indispensable. While he can live.
rnywhcre. he seems sort Of tropical beast
1t is believed that his ample ears first unfolded
in the sun of the equator, and that palm leaves
and similar vegetation stirred to his first high
and vibrant note. In cuba he WAS found I'm
peace and will find in war a wide field Of cxer-
ton.
a great general has said that IAN army moves
on its belly" The army with the best sustained
'craCkcr line must eventually wear out it's OBJ
ponent and it is the mule that sustains the
cracker line" To slightly change the saving
Of General ~ B. Forrest. it IL the party that
gets there the fastest with the mostest mulcs''
on whose banners will be twned the laurels Of
victory.