Boys' Life/Volume 1/Number 1/Major Knowall's Mountain Battery
MAJOR KNOWALL'S MOUNTAIN BATTERY
A junior lieutenant presumed to say he had seen a similar gun
THE acquisition of California by the United States compelled the government to open overland routes to the Pacific territory, and to protect them with troops from the hordes of surrounding Indians, who at that time were a source of constant terror in the west.
In this connection an amusing story is told—the hero of which was Major Knowall, a martinet of a peculiarly severe pattern.
In July, 1856, the first section of the annual supply-wagon train arrived at a certain fort and delivered a light mountain howitzer field-gun, sent out by the ordnance department for trial. All were anxious, of course, to see the new implement which promised to increase their resources in mountain warfare against the Indians.
Imbued with a sense of his responsibility in the premises, Major Knowall had the gun and equipment unpacked in his back yard, and spent the rest of the day personally inspecting it.
First the Major extolled the advantage the new gun would give troops in active service against their savage foes, because, unlike ordinary artillery, it could be transported over rough ground, and always be ready for action. He mildly arraigned the issuing officer for neglect, because he had failed to send working instructions with the gun, which had forced him to take the responsibility of compiling them on short notice. Of first importance, he remarked, was the training of the motive-power of the new battery, in this case the ever-trustworthy army mule. Only his perfect steadiness in action would enable the gunner to point the piece and deliver the projectile in the right direction. The Major now had harness and pack outfit placed upon the mule's back, and the gun raised into the saddle, parallel with Jack's back-bone, muzzle to the rear. Lash ropes were thrown across, and all firmly secured. Next an empty service shell was put into the piece. In accordance with the infallible decision of the Major, the "Jackass Battery" was now ready for action.
Regular proceedings, however, were interrupted at this point. A junior lieutenant, about a year out from West Point, the famous Military Cadet Academy, presumed to say to the Major that while at school he had seen a model of a similar gun, and if he had observed rightly it was not the intent of the inventor that it should be fired while on a mule's back, but that it must be transferred first to a light carriage, brought up on another animal. This objection having been overruled, the drill proceeded.
Two troopers, one at each side, held Jack by the bridle, the third, the cannoneer, stood on the left near the centre of the battery. Receiving a lighted portfire from the hand of the Major, who acted as chief of piece, he approached the mule to discharge the gun. The sizzling of the portfire and the smell of sulphur were not agreeable to Jack, and he objected to the gunner's approach. The Major, perceiving his error in not providing for such a contingency, ordered a rest. There was a subdued smile on the faces of the spectators. The Major now despatched an orderly to the quartermaster to procure a piece of slow match. When this was brought, he personally inserted it into the vent of the gun, and with a caution, "All ready, steady now!" ignited the fuse.
Before the gallant Major could complete the lesson by the final command, "Fire!" the mule's aversion to sulphur fumes proved fatal. Up went his tail, down came his head, and with his heels he made a desperate attempt to kick holes into the surrounding atmosphere. The bridle broke, and he was free, and with a loud defiant blast and head erect, was a picture worthy to be immortalized by a famous artist. A moment more and there was a loud report. The fuse had burned down to the powder, the shell went in one direction and poor Jack in another, clear out of sight.
The sudden motions of the mule had electrified the audience. Discipline was relaxed, and without waiting for orders the officers had followed the Major, who at top speed made for shelter behind an adjacent haystack. The troopers prostrated themselves, and so escaped injury.
When the Major recovered his dignity, he announced that as soon as he was able to complete the preliminary education of a suitable mule, the lessons with the mountain gun would be duly resumed.
Some troopers went out and found Jack, his tail feathers slightly scorched, but otherwise unhurt.
The shell went in one direction and poor Jack in another
There is no official record of further gun-drill at Fort D. To add to the perplexities of the Major, a pair of shafts and some wheels were brought by the next supply-train; but he had them carefully stored to await his pleasure. And shortly thereafter he obtained leave and went East, to recuperate his sadly shattered nervous system. He was never again seen at Fort D.
MAXIMS FOR SCOUTS
Scouting comes in very useful in any kind of life you like to take up. whether it is soldiering or business life in the city.
You need not wait for war in order to be useful as a scout. As a peace scout there is a lot for you to do any day, wherever you may be.
The history of the United States has been made by American adventurers and explorers, the scouts of the nation, for hundreds of years past up to the present time.
Scoutcraft comes in useful in any line of life that you like to take up. Cricket is a good game to play, and it comes in useful to a certain extent in training your eye, nerve and temper, but as we Americans say, "it isn't circumstance" to scouting, which teaches a boy to be a man.