EASTERN AND WESTERN VIEWS OF MOUNTAIN ARTILLERY. 443 
become so foot-weary, and so are naturally less fatigued. 
This is one of the strong reasons in favour of draught in 
Mountain Artillery. In tropical climates this relief must be 
carried out by additional pack-mules; but in a temperate 
climate the relief in the plains can be carried out as hinted 
above by some simple arrangement of draught, varying 
according to the nature of the equipment, a sine qua non 
being, that there must be no increase of consequence in the 
pack-loads and none of mules. 
(b) For compact side-loads, such as boxes of ammunition, an ordnance 
mulecancarrya pack (including its harness) 20 per cent. greater 
than that of a top-loaded mule and requires no regular 
seelaiaitn 
The above weights are a maximum, and require mules of the best 
type of the breed, and their height varies with the breed. In hot 
climates the mules do not run so high as in a temperate climate, other 
conditions remain the same. 
But, says Captain Schneck, if we are to march with Cavalry without 
becoming an encumbrance upon its movements, it becomes necessary to 
study the loads common to that arm of the service, both for its troop 
horses and the mules of its pack-trains, and govern our pack-load for a 
Mountain Battery accordingly. He then enters into details on the 
weight carried by a cavalry troop-horse, and arrives at the result that 
the heaviest nominal load for the latter is 272 lbs. in the United States, 
of which 2 of it is “ live” weight. Now the pack-mules of the United 
States cavalry-train carry 225 lbs. including pack-saddlery, and with 
care can keep up on the march with the Cavalry. But the Artillery 
pack-mule will be a more powerful and more carefully selected animal 
than the ordinary pack-mule, better fed and receive more care and 
attention, and is more likely to be relieved when sick or over-worked. 
But when all the conditions of such service have been carefully con- 
sidered, it would appear safe for us to conclude that no pack-load in a 
Mountain Battery for American service should exceed the maximum 
load carrried by their cavalry horse—272 lbs.—when for service with 
Cavalry. Naturally if it can work with Cavalry, it will be able to 
manceuvre over any ground with Infantry. 
Having decided on his pack, it is obvious that the pack-saddle 
should be reduced to a minimum weight consistent with efficiency. 
In the Mountain Artillery it always must constitute a large percentage 
of the weight which an animal can carry on account of the necessity of 
adding special features to the cradles in order to secure the gun, carri- 
age, etc. The Moore pack-saddle used in the United States transport 
weighs complete 40 lbs. Generally speaking, however, a set of artillery 
pack-harness varies from 45 to 71 lbs. in weight. The pack-saddle, 
harness, and lashing of the old United States 12-pounder mountain 
howitzer weighed 50 ibs. and served its purpose well. In the British 
service a set of pack-harness for the 2°5” R.M.L. gun varies in weight 
from 72 to 87 lbs. according to the nature of the load transported. 
The United States artillery pack-saddle weighs from 58 to 65 lbs., but 
Side-loaded 
mules. 
