The Packing Outfit for 1.65-inch Gun.
This consists of:
One pack-saddle, for carrying the gun and wheels of the carriage.
One pack-saddle, for carrying the gun-carriage, the pole, the splinter-bar, the harness-sack (containing the harness and the pole-yoke), and the ammunition-pack.
One pack-saddle, for carrying the four ammunition-boxes.
One set of double harness.
One pole and neck-yoke (the pole is hinged so that it can be folded for packing).
One splinter-bar.
Four ammunition-boxes holding 18 rounds each.
One ammunition-pack holding 6 rounds, for use in an emergency.
Blinds, for use when packing.
The Pack-saddles are identical, with the exception of the yokes for carrying the different parts and a few minor changes in the pads.
The Harness is for two mules and consists of bridles, breast-collars, martingales, breeching, traces and pole-straps, and harness-sack (duck). The pole, neck-yoke, and splinter-bar are made of hickory.
Ammunition-boxes are made of pine and are 24" × 8" × 8". They have sliding covers, which are connected to the box by a lifting hinge. Each box holds 18 rounds of ammunition, and friction-primers. Weight of box empty 11 lbs. 8 oz.; weight of box filled 59 lbs., about.
PARTS OF OUTFIT PER GUN.
| 1 pack-saddle for gun. | 1 pack-saddle for carriage. | 1 pack-saddle for ammunition. |
| 1 crupper. | 1 crupper. | 1 crupper. |
| 1 belly-cincha. | 1 belly-cincha. | 1 belly-cincha. |
| 1 saddle-cincha. | 1 saddle-cincha. | 1 saddle-cincha. |
| 2 wheel-straps. | 1 cargo-cincha. | 1 cargo-cincha. |
| 2 hub-straps. | 1 trail-strap. | 1 lashing-rope. |
| 1 gun-pad. | 1 lashing-rope. | |
| 1 lashing-rope | ||
| 2 bridles. | 1 harness-sack. | 1 pole. |
| 2 breast-collars. | 1 neck-yoke. | 1 splinter-bar. |
| 2 martingales. | 1 neck-yoke brace. | Trail-hooks for attachment of splinter-bar. |
| 2 breechings. | 1 neck-yoke brace-billet, and chapes. | 4 ammunition-boxes. |
| 2 pairs traces. | 1 cartridge-pack. | |
| 2 pole-straps. | ||
| 1 blind. | 1 blind. | 1 blind. |
METHOD OF PACKING.
1. On long marches with a wagon train the whole packing outfit will be carried in the wagon train when practicable.
2. On packing the outfit to make expeditions, if it is known that there will be no occasion for hauling the gun and carriage, the hauling appliances, viz., harness, pole, yoke, and splinter-bar, can be left behind in the wagon train, at a camp or post, as the case may be; but as the hauling appliances add little to the pack, and unexpected occasions for their use are probable, they should be carried as a rule.
3. The gun and carriage are to be hauled whenever practicable country for hauling occurs, on a long march, to ease the animals, and especially if their backs get sore, and also in action if the ground will admit of it.
4. If the draught animals are led, the pack-saddles can be left on the animals loosely cinched.
5. If a driver rides one draught animal, its pack-saddle can be placed on the other animal, or both saddles can be placed on gun and carriage.
6. Pressure should fall on back, not on spine and not on sides.
Mules differ in shape; the same mule is not always symmetrical, and the condition varies; therefore, when saddles fit do not change them without good reason.
Fold saddle-blanket in four folds and place it carefully on the animal; then place the saddle on the blanket and in the middle of the animal's back, so as to interfere as little as possible with his free action, and cinch tightly with saddle-cincha. They should be drawn tighter than with riding-saddles, but only tight enough to keep the saddle securely in its place. With a young mule tighten gradually and gently.
Ammunition-mules scarcely need such tight girthing as saddle-mules.
The dock of the crupper must be kept soft, smooth, and pliable.
7. See that everything fits properly before loading. Place the hand under the blanket to make sure that pressure does not fall on the withers. On the least sign of a rub on the ribs take measures to relieve the pressure from that point, changing the load if possible. In cases of this sort, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
A slightly galled mule can generally carry its saddle, and sometimes be worked, if proper measures are taken. After cleansing and drying the wound dust it with sulphur 3 parts, iodoform 1 part, and then put a piece of old-fashioned court-plaster over it if the animal is to be worked.