PREFACE. 



The writer of this manual, Mr. Henry W. Daly, chief packmaster. 

 Quartermaster's Department, U. S. Army, is the last of the old-time 

 packers, the last of those who grew up with the pack service under 

 Gen. George Crook, some of whom have followed "the bell" from the 

 British line far down into old Mexico, and later in Alaska, Cuba, 

 China, and the Philippines. Of them all he stands foremost as the 

 most observant, the one who has added most to the efficiency of the 

 pack service, and one who has placed the mounted service under last- 

 ing obligations to him — 



First. By discovering the causes of the various "bunches" that 

 arise on the mule's body. 



Second. In discovering a simple remedy which reduces these 

 "bunches" before they break down and suppurate. 



Third. By his various inventions described in these pages. 



Fourth. Finally, by placing the results of his experience in written 

 form, so as to be preserved for the use of others. 



From time to time, on account of the expense and difficulty of ap- 

 plication, efforts have been made without success to substitute some 

 other system of packing for the aparejo and the diamond hitch. In 

 testing these systems there is always one fundamental and vital ques- 

 tion to be asked, viz, does the substitute permit the rapid and easy 

 alteration of the bearing surface promptly to reduce the "bunches" 

 which arise from many causes and which, if not promptly reduced, 

 speedily render the animal unserviceable. If the substitute does not 

 adequately meet this test (which so far has only been met by the 

 aparejo) it must be rejected. There are many other important ad- 

 vantages possessed by the aparejo over other systems, as will appear 

 in the study of this book. 



The value of the pack train has not lessened since the days of the 

 Indian campaigns. Rapid and prolonged marches (impossible for 

 wagons) are not yet out of date. It is just as necessary now to arrive 

 on the field with food, ammunition, and medical supplies as it ever 

 was. The usefulness of the pack train in carrying ammunition to 

 supply the firing line where wagons can not go is not disputed by 

 anyone. It behooves, therefore, all officers of the mobile force to 

 understand the management of the pack train in all its branches, 

 remembering that the "throwing of the diamond" is but a small part 

 of the art, and one that is easily and quickly learned ; that in the ad- 

 justment of the interior of the^ aparejo lies success or failure in the 

 conservation of the back of the animal ; that the train must be kept 

 hard, lean, muscular, and docile by constant exercise carrying loads, 

 and that by so doing mounted officers will be able to keep the accom- 



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