Mules in War
Waupaca
THE MULE IN THE WAR
In these days of limousines and flivvers little attention is given to their noble predecessor, the horse, nor his more humble half-brother, the mule. But it is gradually becoming evident that both the horse and the mule played a most important part in the great war; without them much profiteering and profligacy of expenditures would have been impossible.
The figures tell the story.
There were, all told, in and for the army, 580,182 horses and mules. For that number of equinine and muline aids, the far-sighted, win-the-war-quick authorities bought:
2,850,853 halter about 5 for each deserving animal.
1,637,199 brushes nearly 3 for 1.
2,033,204 nose bags giving every spirited steed one for each meal with fresh ones for occasional luncheons.
1,148,364 horse covers one for week days and one for the Sabbath.
585,615 saddle bags one for each, assuming that all were riding academy stock, which is doubtful because of the next items.
500,326 sets of double harness and 110,828 single ones.
945,000 saddles raising another doubt as to the character of the steeds.
8,780,516 horse shoes each horse having four feet, some of the mules more.
195,000 branding irons making it unnecessary to use the same marker more than 2-1/2 times.
Ninety-six thousand horses and mules died, for which no blame can attach to the authorities, for the reason that no ordinary beast could be expected long to survive the burden of carrying the halters, harness, saddles, etc., that were bought for them
Only 67,948 horses and mules were shipped overseas, for which there may have been disappointment or much slacker joy, according to the patriotism of those involved.
The nation, through its military rulers, was just as liberal with the humans whose title or equipment suggest cavalry association. For the swiveleer and field ordnance officers there were purchased. 712,510 complete sets of spur straps about 36 sets for each officer. The Searchlight.