The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-26

for his paper burns the wire in his haste,
only. in many cases to be obliged TO
order his news killed an hour later
Staff officers here, with 50 many Head
Quarters. are thick as flies, and unless the
General issues an order against throwing
clubs some Quartermaster viii furnish
material for a first-class funeral, and give
the new Chaplain a case 10 practice on with
the burial service.
Medical officers lead in point Of numbers,
for every regiment has two attached to 1T,
and there are two or three medical direct
ors. one or two yellow fever experts, and
then come 'the vets" with the cavalry.
In a corral near the railroad, not far from
the shore OF the bay, are about 500 mules,
which had been bought in St. Louis for
the Spanish Government, and had reached
New Orleans, en- route TO Cuba, when war
was declared. They were to be paid Tor IN
Cuba so our Government bought the lot
and saved the owners from actual loss.
But, did they deserve to be saved from
loss? They knew that war was imminent,
and that if il came on the stock would be
used in service against this country. Put
"a pins point on their patriotism, and see
how much will be left uncovered.
GAYETY AT TAMPA.
"There was a sound of reyelry by night,
And Tampa's hosiery had gathered there
Her beauty and her chiNalry. =, Byron, re-
yised for MAY 1898
With a Lard for each regiment here, and
INV number Of young officers and young
ladies TO enjoy il, ii chase OF the glowing
hours by flying feet is a natural conse-
uuenee and the piazzas and corridors of
this immense hotel echo Joyous strains
nightly The large rotunda Is filed with
people promenadinc, gathered in groups for
conversation the buzz Of which fills the
pauses Of the music, or, in cases OF younger
individuals, seats in some OF the many
cozy corners are occupied by pairs tired Of
the dance or enjoying, for the time, little
quiet Irritation At y O'Clock the call "All
aboard for Port Tampa takes away the
officers Of the cavalry and artillery, whose
camps are near that place, on the shores
of the bay and in few minutes lights in
the grounds are extinguished, ard quiet
Keigns.
Generally two bands are present-one on
each porch and play alternately, but one
evening those 81 the 18th and 22d Inf. were
united under ore header They numbered
about 20 pieces, and the effect WAS grand
Into one medley, representing an army day,
all the service calls were introduced, and the
rendition called for round after rCuEd Of
applause.
National airs are played every evening
and at each practice Of the bands in camp,
and il does a veterans soul good 10 see
every one rise and uncover" as the first
notes tell what il is. Old ConfedeTates do
not forget 10 yell over Dixie" bat what OF
Lniony
THE SCIENCE OF PACKING.
Packers are engaged in sorting out mules
for their use, fitting the pack furniture, etc
Most of them will be fitted with the Mexi-
can aparejo pronounced apaTahol, which
Is 10 be preferred 10 the saddle with a
tree and sawbuck."
Ii consists, first of two or more thick felt
blankets folded large enough to nearly
cover the mule ifon shoulders TO rump
Over this Is placed a hugo pair OF leather
bags united by a broad hard Of the same
material, the cavities stuffed with soft
hay
This is girthed 10 the mule by a 'cineh'
nearly foot in width, which is drawn as
tightly as is possible to Go by a strong
man, pulling with both hands and with
q foot against the animal 5 ribs TO give him
greater purchase
On each side OF the spine the articles 10
be carried are placed, and dashed" by a
rope about so feet in length which has al
one end a broad webbing belt, to pass un-
der the belly, as was done with the others
Another squeezing is given and the
rope N crossed in different directions over
the load, frightened al every crossing, and
finally fastened ia knot which can be
loosed 10y one pull
Packing is a science, and as such
commands good wages. | have known a
"Chief Packer" to he paid a salary of Sf50
per month on the frontier, and his services
were worth the money paid The duty is
taught To cayalrymen, as part Of their drill.
and many Of the soldiers become very ex.
pert in il
AT a pack drill Of the 9th Cav. a few DAYS
before It feit Montana, one company de
TAN packed its mule in one minute and 81
seconds, and Others were but little slower.
Thirty mules generally constitute a
train, and are managed by three men.
!hcy are trained to follow a bell worn by a
horse, white preferred, as being more readily
seen. They are not confined in any way.
except when first put into the train: then
any straying from it is punished very
severely, and Mr.. Mule soon learns his
place, and that it is best 30 keep it.
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