greatest interest in the United States. Troops were rushed into these places on special trains

lating particles, which filtered through every conceivable crevice and made the effort to breathe a suffocating nightmare. Over all the tumultuous scene a torrid sun beat down from a cloudless sky, while its scorching rays, reflected from the fier

: Skirmish Dr

ly malaria began to insidiously prepare the way for a hospital cot; the patient lost flesh, relish of food became a reminiscence, and an hour's exertion in the sun was enough to put a man on his back for the rest of the day. Exposure to the direct action of the sun's rays was frequently followed by nausea, a slight chill, and then a high fever. Th

" did not materialize. Some regiments drew the brown canvas fatigue uniform, but the only use made of it was to put the white bla

er for a change. Nobody wanted to listen to any new schemes. The highest ambition seemed to be to get out of it to somewhere with just as little delay an

the United States. Not to enter into a technical description, but merely to

gun is mounted on a wye-shaped trunnion; the lower end of the wye passes down into a socket in the axle. The gun is pointed by a lever just as one points a garden hose or sprinkler, with the advantage that the gun can be clamped at any instant, and will then continue to sprinkle its drops of death over the same row of plants until the clamps are released. The axle is hollow and will hold about a thousand cartridges. It is horizontal, and on its ends are heavy Archibald wheels. There is also a heavy hollow trail, in which tools and additio

med to have thought anything about the subject, and Tampa was not a good place nor climate in which to indulge in that form of ex

: Skirmish Dr

military superiors knew, heard the whistle of a hostile bullet. He had made no brilliant record at the Academy, had never distinguished himself in the service, and was not anybody's "pet." H

bs of wisdom that fell from the friends of the friends of somebody. They shone only by a reflected light, it is true; but nobody there at Tampa had a lamp of his own, except the few who had won renown in the Civil War, and reflected light was better than none at all. A very young and gree

et acquainted with the new authority, and were just beginning to find out who was who, when the telegraph flashed the news that the deposed potentate had been made a major-general, and, of course, was now in command. The thing was becoming interesting. Bets began to be made as to which would come in ahead under the

he one who has the necessary authority to order what is wanted; if access to him can be had, and he can be brought to recognize the merits of

n to see there at

at Tampa. Perhaps it was the deadly climate; for the reply to a request for a few minutes' audience on the subject of machine guns was very gruff and curt: "I don't want to hear anything about it. I don't believe in it, and I don't feel like hearing it. If you want to see me abou

ished services on the battle-field, listened with interest and were convinced. Their advice was: "Get your plan in tangible shape, typewritten, showing just what you propose; then go

lowed and the follo

tion of Division Ga

ter

saddles; 6 sets double harness, wheel, and 6 lead; 1 esc

rso

5 enlisted men selected for their intelligence, activity, and daring; v

uip

, saber, or machet

en: Revolve

ed on person for revolver

Equi

all-tents, and the ordinary cooki

aniz

bject to approval of division commander; probably

etachment to be composed of 1 gunner and

nistr

r exercises over it the same authority as a company commander, and keeps the same records. Returns, reports, and other business are transacted as in company, except that the detachment commander repor

truc

who have made no special study of the tactical use or instruction for machine guns, and who may not have faith in the experiment. It will be useless to expect efficiency of the proposed organization unless this liberty be accorded its organizer. The field is a n

al Empl

tion is expect

e-action of

mobility

ust be rapidity and accuracy

every opportune occasion will be pushed into action on the firing line. The moral effect of its presence will be very great; it will be able to render valuable assistance by its fire (over the charging line) in many cases. Last, but very important, the occupation of a captured line by this organization at once will supply a powerful, concentrated, and controlled fire

s one of the most important functions, and one wh

the proposed organization; viz., it

difficult to perfect after the forward movement has begun. Horses and harness can be easily procured at Tampa; there will

t useless impedimenta into a fourth arm, and realizing the dangerous nature of the

er, "2d Lieut

s favor all thought out, Col. Arthur McArthur, assistant adjutant-gen

tion: Fie

d manifested both interest and approval. But nothing could be done at that time. "Come again a week from to-day," said he, "and I will try to obtain you a hearing before one who can do what you wish by a single word. I b

ble obstacle in the way of himself carrying out a plan which he, also, had conceived, and he was keen to see the idea, which he fully believed in, demonstrated on the battle-field. He had, moreover, as ordnance officer, just received an invoice of fifteen Gatling guns, complete, of the latest model, and he had access to the commanding general by vi

terly without notice, the regimental commander received orders per letter,

13th Infantry,

la., May

l Order

ons contained in lette

ps, May

n H. Parker,

is Weischaar

lliam Eyder

is Kastner,

oe Seman,

am Greenber

seph Hoft,

nnor L. Jone

uis Misiak

ge C. Murray

hn Bremer,

d H. Chase,

rtin Pyne,

, ordnance officer, for duty in conn

ption of rifle, bayonet, scabbard, and blanket-b

of Colon

1st Lieut. 13th

private mess, and was intensely disgusted when he found that the detail was to be permanent or semi-permanent. The men were sent fully armed and equipped; carrying rifles, knapsacks, etc., and marched down to the Ordnance Depot for instructions. These instructions were to return to ca

ed, and the Gatling Gun De

: Awaiting Tu