 
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.A mountain-battery should be self-reliant, and, as far as possible, independent of assistance beyond that of the usual escort furnished for its protection, and in the highest state of efficiency to take the field at a moment's notice. It should be taken at least once a week for a march of ten or fifteen miles over the most difficult ground in its vicinity. Platoons completely equipped should be sent out separately once a week. Every opportunity must be taken for instruction of officers and men in the many devices and methods of obtaining cover, protection from the weather, construction of huts, kitchens, ovens, latrines, etc., and the tactical use and care of the battery. Mountain-batteries are organized by platoons; each being complete in itself and capable of being detached from the battery at a moment's notice. Therefore the whole of the equipment, stores, camp-equipage, and baggage belonging to each platoon should remain at all times under immediate charge of the chief of platoon. In like manner chiefs of section should have charge of their respective sections, receiving their orders from their chiefs of platoon. The baggage-mules form part of the section, and should A set of heliographs and signal apparatus should be carried and used. A mountain-battery must be able to climb and keep with infantry. As the number of guns engaged is always small, concentration of fire is especially desirable, even when the ground does not admit of concentration of guns. Mountain warfare involves frequent exposure to sudden attacks. Guns should therefore always have a strong infantry escort; but the fact of having an escort should not prevent the commander from having a lookout posted on his exposed flank. Choice of positions and taking advantage of ground are exceptionally difficult, and need special training, quickness, and constant practice. It is not always easy to secure a ready supply of ammunition. Firing should therefore be confined, as a rule, to the most effective ranges. It is a waste of ammunition to fire at long ranges. Only as many ammunition-mules as are immediately required should be brought up to the battery; the remainder, with relief-mules, etc., should be kept under cover in rear. Care must be taken to equalize the loads of ammunition-mules. The position of the battery in the column, when there is a probability of being attacked, should never be too far to the front, but sufficiently so to come into action as soon as the advanced guard is engaged. It should march after the second company of the main body if the advanced guard consists of only one company, or after the first company if only two companies are in the advanced guard. The battery ought never to be broken up unless under This breaking up of the battery does not refer to small isolated columns to which platoons only may be attached. Placed in position sufficiently far to the front to support the troops with which it is co-operating, without endangering the guns, any further change of position, excepting at the critical moment of pursuit or retreat, should not be made without some very strong reason. If a second position becomes necessary, the battery commander should first assure himself that he can reach it in time to carry out his idea, and without the liability of experiencing heavy loss. Before coming into action the battery is divided into two lines, viz., the first line, consisting of the six guns and the twelve ammunition-mules, and the second line, consisting of the remaining ammunition-mules and spare material-mules of the battery. The Supply of Ammunition is kept up as follows: In action the boxes of the first ammunition-mules are unloaded and placed in rear of the guns, or, if the ground permits, in rear of the flanks of the battery. The unloaded mules are placed under cover near the remaining ammunition-mules of the first line, fifty or sixty yards in rear of the line. The second line, under the first sergeant, is three or four hundred yards in rear of the first line and under cover. The first ammunition-boxes unloaded have their contents distributed, by the non-commissioned officer in charge, to the proper cannoneers of each gun detachment; and as soon as the contents of half the boxes have been fired three of the second ammunition-mules are sent to the To Supply the First Line from the Second Line.—The first sergeant tells off six ammunition-mules to be in readiness to move to the front, under a non-commissioned officer, when required. As soon as the battery opens fire these mules are sent forward to the first line and remain there under cover. As soon as the first six ammunition-mules laden with empty boxes are assembled under cover they are sent back, under a non-commissioned officer, to the second line. CARE AND PRESERVATION OF HARNESS.All harness should be periodically taken to pieces and thoroughly examined. It should be oiled with neat's-foot oil two or three times a year, and kept soft and pliable. Good castile soap and water should be used for washing harness, and the dressing furnished by the Ordnance Department. This dressing is applied with a woollen cloth, left on until the next day, and then thoroughly wiped off with a woollen cloth. It is made as follows (ingredients for two gallons): 1 gal. neat's-foot oil, 2 lbs. bayberry tallow, 2 lbs. beeswax, 2 lbs. beef tallow. Place in a pan over a moderate fire and let the above ingredients remain one hour, until thoroughly dissolved; then add 2 quarts of castor oil and stir well until the mass comes to a boil, so that the ingredients may become thoroughly mixed; after which add 1 oz. lamp-black and stir well for ten minutes; then strain the liquid while hot through a cotton cloth to remove sediment of beeswax, tallow, and lamp-black, and put aside to cool. Colgate's black harness-soap and Frank Miller's harness-soap, No. 2½, are excellent for cleaning harness and keeping it soft. Blacking for Harness and Bridle Leather.—A decoction of iron-rust and vinegar, applied to the grain side of the leather after it has been stained. In staining, apply with a hair brush, a solution of logwood, sal-soda, and soft water. Iron parts when rusted should be cleaned with kerosene, wiped dry, and then have applied a light coating of asphaltum paint; allow it to dry and then apply a second coat. In the field there will not usually be much time or many materials for cleaning harness. Rust should be cleaned off ironwork with sand and then it should be oiled. Leather work should be kept soft and pliable. First remove the mud and dried sweat with as little water as possible and then work in a little oil or soft soap. INSTRUCTIONS FOR DRIVERS, ETC.The carriage-mule is always the leader when packing, or on the near side in draught. This mule should therefore be the most tractable and intelligent. The mule-driver is at the left of and near the head of his mule. If the leader is well trained and intelligent it is better to let him have his head, the driver taking place abreast the saddle. In saddling, the driver should make sure that the hair lies fair on the mule's back under the blanket; that the blanket is properly folded; that the saddle is securely girthed, and the load evenly balanced and firmly lashed. When on a march, as soon as it is time to feed in the morning, rub off the animal's back until the hair lies smooth; place the blanket well forward on the withers and draw it back until in proper position. Saddle, drawing the cincha half tight, and feed. After feeding, and when ready to pack, draw up the cincha. During packing and unpacking the driver should never leave the mule's head. The pads should cover the mule from donkey-mark on wither nearly to hip-joint. Large pads cause less rocking of the load than small and give larger bearing surfaces; by distributing the load over a large surface of the back, the animal is enabled to carry it easier and with less chance of galls. Pads properly stuffed show no creases in the lining, feel smooth, firm, elastic, and not too hard, and have no hard knots. Stuffing should be of wool, well cleaned, and unravelled before use. Avoid giving hard work on new stuffed pads, if possible; otherwise do not stuff pads too tight, but add daily as stuffing settles down. Pads must be quilted for about one and a half inches along the upper edge to keep the spine clear of pressure; also where girths cause friction. They should be beaten and brushed, but the stuffing should be seldom interfered with when once settled down. When hard it must be pricked up with an awl. Injuries to mules from bad saddlery arise from uneven pressure in stuffing; stuffing working to front or rear, or getting hard or knotted; pads not properly quilted; badly made repairs; or extraneous substances getting between the pad and the mule's skin. Surcingles should lie flat over and should not be tighter than the cincha. Breast-pieces and breeching should hang from their bearing-straps at such a height as not to impede the free action of the limbs or the breathing. The breast-piece should not hang on the point of the shoulder, but its top edge should reach to where the neck joins the body. In going up or down hill the saddle and load should be kept in place by adjusting the breast-and breech-straps without halting. The breast-strap should be tightened in ascents, slackened on the level and in descents. Breeching should always be tightened in going down hill, when it and not the crupper should take the strain. Hip-straps should bring it about in line with its point of attachment to the saddle. If too high it may slip up under the tail when the strain comes on it. The crupper should not be tighter than is necessary to keep the saddle from shifting forward. The dock of the crupper must at all times be kept soft, smooth, and pliable. Breast-straps and crupper should be removed when the animal is fed and watered. The leading-bit is to touch the corners of the mouth, but should be low enough not to wrinkle them; leading rein buckled to near side of the bit. MARCHES.In warm climates march early to avoid the heat. Mules travel well at night. Men and animals should have food before marching. Officers and non-commissioned officers superintend loading; at which all should be expert. When the battery is loaded and formed, always inspect carefully to see that the work has been properly done. A habit of prompt loading is most important. One hour should be ample time between reveille and starting on the road. In moving off, drivers must move promptly, and use the leading-rein with a very light hand. Mules move best with loose reins. If avoidable, do not carry sick men on bareback or blanketed mules, as the animals get galled. The distance between mules on good roads is one yard. In passing obstacles or difficult ground, distances must be increased as needed. Every mule should have his head. Cannoneers should keep near their respective mules and not straggle; and must assist the drivers in watching and adjusting loads. The driver must constantly watch his mule and load, and at once call attention to signs of uneasiness or anything requiring adjustment, if he cannot adjust it himself. When a load becomes disarranged the mule must be fallen out and the load put to rights; the driver regains his place at the first opportunity. Distances must be regained gradually, not by rushing: at an amble if absolutely necessary. The pace should be regular and constant, smart, not hurried, about four miles an hour unless with other troops; in no case so fast as to cause trotting in rear. Forcing the pace or dragging it, many halts and checks without unloading or giving time for feeding and watering, are ruinous. When a laden mule falls, keep his head down; cast off the straps and remove the load; unsaddle if necessary. Always form battery advanced and rear guards of properly armed men. It is sometimes convenient to have pioneer-tools with the advanced guard. The sick transport marches with the rear-guard, whose special duty it is to keep every fraction of the battery ahead of it. March on as broad a front as possible; but frequent changes are harassing. When feasible, considerable distance between platoons makes marching easier. Officers should constantly move along their commands, checking irregularities, regulating the pace, and supervising every detail as regards men, mules, and loads, while An officer should be in charge of the baggage if possible. In crossing fords some men should see to the loads, as the high action of the mules in passing through water is liable to unsteady them. Occasions may occur when the mule may be obliged to swim, and in such cases the saddle must be removed, and any attempt to guide the mule should be made by the slightest touch possible; pulling at the head is to be avoided. A mule swimming can be most easily turned by splashing the water against the side of the face opposite the direction required. Keep to the spurs of hills in going up and generally in going down hill. Sometimes a short cut may be found down a ravine. At the beginning of a march check the pace a little; make an early halt, so that men can fall out and adjust anything requiring it. Occasional halts should be made afterwards. Short halts are best for pack-animals. At every halt non-commissioned officers and drivers inspect their animals and attend to any signs of galling or uneasiness. The rear closes up to its proper distance before halting. On hill roads mules should be stood level across the road, heads outward from the hillside. If the path be too narrow for this, drivers must stand at their mules' heads to prevent the risk of a tumble down the hillside in attempts to graze. Mules are apt to roll when halted. In marches with other troops, on halting always find out how long the halt is to be, and if time permits remove loads if practicable. Advantage may be taken of long halts to water, and feed if advisable and means are at hand. A feed of grain should always be carried in the nose-bags if possible. On long marches opportunities to feed and water should be sought for. When halted allow the men to stray from their mules as little as possible. Disarrangement of loads and possible accidents are thereby avoided. As pack-mules require very tight girthing, they should remain girthed as short a time as possible. Gun-and carriage-mules are the tightest girthed. Their loads may be shifted to the relief-mules at the half-way halt, these mules not being tightly girthed until on the point of loading. Girths of the relieved mules should be slackened gradually, as sudden loosing of the girths causes swellings. CAMPS.On reaching camp halt the battery, in line, in rear of the ground to be occupied, facing to the front. Indicate the positions for material, etc. The battery is then marched to the site of the gun-park and the guns formed action front, the stores and boxes being piled in rear of each gun. If possible make a foundation of stones, etc., for the piles of boxes to rest on, dig a trench around it, and cover the pile with a paulin firmly secured. The men's tents are on either flank, the mules being picketed between the lines of tents. The officers' tents are on a line perpendicular to the men's tents, and about twenty-five yards from the end ones, and face inward. The guard-tents are near the flank guns. After unloading, girths are loosened a little, and are allowed to remain so for fifteen minutes. If the animals are warm they should be walked around until cool, and may then be watered. As a rule all watering should be superintended by an officer, and no man should be allowed to take more than two mules to water at the same time. When the mules are put on the picket-line, remove bridles and wipe bits, loosen cincha a little, and place The saddles are placed on end behind the line, pads facing sun or wind to dry. When dry they should be carefully brushed, beaten if necessary, and all hair removed. At afternoon stables mules are groomed, watered if necessary, and fed, and the grain for the next morning served out and the outfit arranged for use. In grooming never use a currycomb on the animal's back. Saddles, back up, are on one paulin spread out between every two mules, with bridles, etc. The other paulin is then placed over the saddles and over the ends of the first paulin, which are turned up, and a strap is passed around it and buckled about two feet above the ground. In wet weather the ground on which the saddles are placed should be raised. Grooming is the same as with horses; but mules hardly need the elaborate grooming usually bestowed on horses. The mule's blanket is used for his covering at night, and in hot weather is folded up square on his back and secured there as a protection against the sun. Gunners will require their detachments of cannoneers to clean up guns, etc., after a march. All men for mountain-batteries should be picked men. Troop "B," Fourth Cavalry, while in Arizona kept on hand ready to start on a scouting expedition with its pack-train: flour 500 lbs., hard bread 50 lbs., bacon 350 lbs., sugar 75 lbs., coffee 60 lbs., beans 50 lbs., salt 25 lbs., baking-powder 20 lbs.; 6 camp-kettles, 40 lbs.; 2 mess-boxes, 150 lbs.; 20 mess-pans, 10 lbs.; 1 axe, 1 spade, small The Rule for Making Bread was as follows: Dig a trench a little over a foot wide, a foot deep, and 12 feet long. Build a fire near it. Then mix 40 quart-cups of flour with salt, baking-powder and water in a mess-box; divide dough in ten equal parts and place each in a small mess-pan. Cover bottom of trench with a layer of coals 3 inches; then place on layer the pans of dough and cover same with larger pans so as to protect from dirt, etc. Fill trench and cover tops and sides of pans with coals. Leave for 1¼ hours. Each loaf will make four rations. TABLE OF MOUNTAIN-ARTILLERY.
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