Instructions for Packing.
Saddles.—Fold saddle-blanket in four folds and place it on the animal; place saddle on blanket and cinch tightly with saddle-cincha.
No. 3 saddles the carriage-mule and acts as driver.
No. 4 saddles the gun-mule and acts as driver.
No. 5 saddles the first ammunition-mule and acts as driver.
No. 6 saddles the second ammunition-mule and acts as driver.
FIRST ANIMAL.
(See [Fig. 10].)
Gun and Wheels.—The gunner removes the tangent-sight, placing it in the haversack, and puts on the breech-cover.
No. 1 throws back the right cap-square and puts on the muzzle-cover and grasps gun by manœuvring-handle.
No. 2 throws back the left cap-square and grasps end of breech-block.
Fig. 10.
No. 4 leads the gun-mule to the gun and places him three yards to the rear of the trail, facing to the rear.
The gunner, grasping the muzzle, commands "Lift," and all lift the gun from the carriage and place it in its bearings, breech in front, sight down.
The gunner, assisted by Nos. 1 and 2, puts cargo-cincha over gun, trunnions passing through slots, edge of cincha nearest to slots in front; cinches to belly-cincha; and then puts gun-pad on breech of gun.
Nos. 1 and 2 on their respective sides then lift the axle while the gunner removes the wheels and replaces linch-pins and washers; Nos. 1 and 2 fasten them together with wheel-strap, dish of wheels inside, and place them astride of gun, hubs between wheel-pads on cargo-cincha, lower them to their proper position, and suspend them with the hub-strap which passes around the hubs and over top of gun. On most animals the best position for wheels is to have the distance from bottom of hub, measured over top of saddle, 36 inches.
Nos. 1 and 2 then buckle around the rim of wheel, on their respective sides, the two wheel-straps, which are attached to the belly-cincha chape, two spokes apart on each side, and tighten these straps until the wheels are in the best position and bear firmly on the cargo-cincha wheel-pads, and on the gun-pad. The wheel-pack is then secure and can be easily adjusted from time to time to aid the animal on the march. If further security is required, lash the wheels with the lashing-rope; fasten one end of rope to one hub, pass it around wheels, under corners of saddle-pads and over and under the animal, and draw tight. (The most expert packer of the detachment should be required to perform the duties pertaining to that work when necessary, as it is very important that the work should be done properly.)
SECOND ANIMAL.
(See [Fig. 11].)
Carriage and Harness.—No. 3 leads the carriage-mule up and places him three yards in front of muzzle, facing to the front.
No. 1 places harness (in its sack) on left side with pole-yoke under flap of harness-sack, and secures them in position with the two straps which are attached to the saddle.
No. 2 places pole (butt end in front) and splinter-bar on right side and secures them in position with the two straps which are attached to the saddle, passing the straps twice around the pole and bar. The front strap passes once in front and once in rear of the pintle-pin.
The gunner at the trail and Nos. 1 and 2 at the axle lift the carriage and place it in position on top of saddle, bottom down, trail to the rear, so that special shapes of saddle arch-irons will engage in the carriage. The front arch-iron enters the slot just in rear of carriage-axle.
Fig. 11.
The gunner passes the cargo-cincha over the carriage, the wooden block down, and in between side flanges of trail, elevating-screw passing through hole in cincha and wooden block; then receives from No. 1 the ammunition-pack and places it in position; cinches securely, fastens the primer-pouch and haversack containing accessories around gun-carriage cheek, and this pack is complete.
Note.—The harness, pole-yoke, and splinter-bar are not necessary to this pack, and the carriage packs equally well without them. If on the saddle, they are to be left on it in coming into action; that is, the carriage can be unpacked and repacked without disturbing them.
THIRD OR FOURTH ANIMAL.
(See [Fig. 12.])
Ammunition.—Each animal carries four ammunition boxes, each containing 18 rounds of ammunition: total rounds 72. Nine cartridges and ten primers are packed in each end of each box. The gunner and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 put the ammunition-boxes in position, the two top ones first, simultaneously, and then the two bottom ones in the same way. No. 3 then returns to his mule, which he had turned over to No. 4; and Nos. 1 and 2 secure the boxes in position by the straps fastened to the clips, and the gunner cinches them securely with the cargo-cincha. He then passes a lashing-rope around the iron handles on the ends of the boxes and over the pack, and the whole is securely fastened in place.
Fig. 12.
TO HARNESS FOR DRAUGHT.
Nos. 3 and 4 place harness on their mules, and lead them into position for hitching, and when the pole has been adjusted complete hitching in front of mules.
Nos. 1 and 2 lift trail and the gunner attaches the pole.
Nos. 1 and 2 hitch traces.
WEIGHTS TO BE CARRIED BY EACH MULE.
| First Animal. | Second Animal. | Third Animal. | |||
| lbs. | lbs. | lbs. | |||
| Gun | 121 | Carriage | 131 | 72 rounds amm. | 189 |
| Wheels | 104½ | Sponge and rod | 1½ | 4 boxes | 46 |
| Outfit | 65½ | 2 primer-pouches and contents | 7½ | Outfit | 57½ |
| Harness in sack | 17½ | ||||
| Pole-yoke | 3 | ||||
| Splinter-bar | 5¾ | ||||
| Amm.-pack and 6 rounds | 18¼ | ||||
| Outfit | 62 | ||||
| Total | 291 | Total | 259½ | Total | 292½ |