The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-22
springing on and then lying fat on their

sprsnging or and then lying fat on their
faces in the usual manner.
These cyciist soldiers carry rtne OF
the regulation size. also a blanket, KNAPP
sack and ammunition. Altogether. their
load when on the wheel averages nearly
forty pounds, vet they have no diirculy
in mounting and dismounting, and can
travel at the rate of sixty 10 seventy-iivs
miles daily on Il fair road without IA
tigue while during their marches across
the country they have frequently covered
a distance of thirty to forty miles daily.
one OF their most remarkable eyolutione
Is the scaling OF a wall or high fence with
the wheels. The order is given to dis
mount. The bicycles are placed on the
ground and the front row Of men climb
upon the shoulders Of the second row.
Pulling themselves 20 the top OF the wall,
their own wheels are handed to them ana
then those OF the second row. A part OF
the men on top OF the wall jump down TO
the other side and the wheels are handed
10 them All of tho bicycles are passed
over in this manner and then the various
files 80 over the wall as already stated.
The last file are pulled over by grasping
the hands OF their comrades, or. some
times. II the distance is too great. one
set Of men hang from the wall by their
hands. Each is supported by others on
the ton and the last ones 10 come over
catch those hanging by the feet. and are
pulled up In this way.
one Of the special features of thd work
OF Mai, pavidson's command. however.
Is artillery practice with a gun which Is
mounted on an automobile carriage. IL
can travel AT the rate of thirty-five miles
an hour on a fairly good road, while on
cross country trips when the artillery
squad goes with the infantry. the gun
holds its own with the other branch OF
the service as far as speed Is concerned.
n Colt utltn-
matte rapid-ire gun shooting 40 shots
minute, and having range OF 40 degrees
right and left. The weight of the gun II
about forty pounds, that of the tripod
and mount fifty-four pounds, making the
total weight ninety-four pounds. II uses
smokeless ammunition only. and has an
effective range Of e,oa yards. The car
rage has a s,x-horSepower gasoline mo-
tor. with q huliet-proof gasoline tank sur
ficient 10 carry fuel for $40 miles. There
Is a windlass attachment to the engine.
to which a rope may be fastened. and the
engine practically lifts tia own weight
clear. enabling IL TO pub Itself up the
steepest bank md up TO elevated posi-
tfons where's horses would be unable to
ind foothold. The carriage Is also
equipped with two large solar acetyIene
lamps which make Il az easy to run at
night as I'm abe daytime. The carriage
will carry four persons. with tents. blen-
kets and from 2.s0 to 5000 rounds OF am
munition. II desired. The facilities for
carrying the ammunition can be Increased
~ desired. A detachable steel shield is
used to protect the Eunners.
This field battery has been operated
along a sandy road over logs. brush and
other distractions, and although the
squad was badly jolted. the carriage has
never been upset. In drills X will run at
the rate of thirty miles an hour. dis
charging bullets at the rate OF 40 n min
ute. Plans have been prepared for tho
entire command 10 make n march from
Chicago 20 New York and thence to
Washington. taking the gun along. A
series OF drills will he given before tho
president, secretary of war and other
officials al Washington 10 demonstrate
the efficiency of the force.