The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-07-19
ELEPHANTS IN THE ARMY
Some Points as to Their Employment
By the British in India.


By the British in India.
One OF the most interesting features
OF the English army life presented to
the layman in India 10 furnished by
The remarkable efficiency Of the ele-
plant brigade, most highly developed
Through the skill OF the Burmese In
handling the giant animals. Their
usefulness in India can scarcely be
Imagined by one not familiar with the
amount and variety of work which
they accomplish, but 1t would be
serious mistake to imagine that this
degree of usefulness Is attained
through any aptitude of the unwieldy
animals or natural tendency toward
It. 1t Is due solely and entirely to the
wonderful ability of the natives in
training the huge animals and over
coming their natural inclinations.
This cannot be too highly praised
Neither must 1t be imagined that the
use Of elephants in army life la not at
tended by great disadvantages, not the
least OF which Is the difficulty with
which they are transported.
Naturally the elephant is not an in
telligent animal. He can be taught re-
markable things, in which his strength
and endurance play an important part.
1ie can never however, perform these
feats without contir lal attendance and
direction. Austria fly, his power OF
work is unspprecieble; when directed
by skillful hands however, 1t Is re-
markable.
The transportation facilities which
are provided for tba sole use of the
elephants are quite as remarkable. l
witnessed recently he loading and de-
training OF a lot Of elephants on the
Madras Railway Both were remark
able processes Tn loading a rope is
fastened to his foI 9-leg, and lot OF
natives harl and rull at 1t to induce
the animal 90 axe the first steps into
the car. 'lhis is only accomplished,
however, b. admonishing him in the
haunch by u.rans Of tusk. The first
step taken is 'apldly followed by the
others until h, stands safely on the
car.
This portion Of the task is accom-
plshed Comparatively easily however,
when compared WIZ ,ha next. At first
he is timid ara ghtly frightened,
dsrful to behold w. Oh he may ride
a hundred times ~ never overcomes
this fear though tits much more pro-
nounced when he 4kes his initial ride
after, say two months acquaintance
with civilization kHe rends the air
with wild trumpeti1gs, endeavors fruit
lessly to escape, ard only ceases his
efforts when The Oar has again come
TO a standstill.
OF course, wonderfully strong cars
are necessary to mold him. They are
made completely 81 iron, with huge
iron bars rising II height of ten or
twelve feet above the platform. Often
these cars are rendered useless by the
twisting of the bars, due TO the applica-
ton Of the occupants remarkable
strength.
In transporting the elephant by sea
the difficulties are almost as great.
They are raised by means of a canvas
sling from the wharf to the ship,
struggling TO escape and rending the
air with the cries. once aboard ship
they are easily managed, the motion
not affecting them, because they do not
see the moving pa Drama before them.
Unloading them is easy They are
lowered to a raft beside the ship and
allowed to swim ashore. They take
to the water easily and are excellent
swimmers, being able to swim eight or
ten miles at a stretch without firing.
The size of the Indian elephant Is
usually about eight feet in height and
ten feet in length. The male is little
larger, perhaps. eleven feet, and
weighing about 5000 pounds.