The weekly ledger., 1857-04-25
[ NUMBER 27.
King of Slams Female Guards

A French newspaper, principally devoted
to army and navy matters, publishes the fol-
lowing very curious details relative to the
army of the King of Siam:
One corps particularly attracts the atten-
ton of strangers which is battalion of the
Kings Guard, composed of women. This
battalion consists of 400 women, chosen
among the handsomest and most robust girls
in the country. They receive excellent pay,
and their discipline is perfect. They are adj
mitted to serve at the age of thirteen, and
are placed in the army of reserve at twenty
i've From that period they no longer serve
about the Kings person, but are employed
to guard the Royal palaces and Crown lands
On entering the army they make VOW of
chastity, from which there is no exemption
unless any of them should attract the Kings
attention and be admitted among his lgiti-
mate wives. The Kings choice seldom falls
on the most beautiful but on the most skilled
in military exercises. The hope of such re-
ward animates them with extraordinary zeal
for military instruction, and Europeans are
astonished at the martial appearance of that
battalion, as well as its skill in maneuvering,
and its excellent discipline. The costume
these women wear is very rich. Their full
dress is composed Of white wooden robe,
embroidered with gold The cloth is ex-
extremely fine, and descends as far as the
knee; it is covered with light coat of mail
and gilt cuirass. The arms are free, and
the head is covered with gilt casque-
When wearing this dress on State occasions,
their only weapon is a lance, which they
handle with wonderful dexterity With their
undress they are armed with musket.
The battalion is composed of four COM
panies, and each company of one hundred
women, commanded by Captain Of their
sex. Should the Captain die, the company
is drilled for three days by the King, who APP
points the most competent to succeed to the
command. The battalion has been command
ed for the last five years by womanl who
saved the Kings life at tiger hunt by her
courage and skill. She possesses great infu-
ence at Conrt and is much respected by those
under her command She has the same es-
tablishment as member of the Royal family,
and ten elephants are placed at her service
The King never undertakes any expedition
without being accompanied by his female
guard, nor does he ever hunt or even ride
out, without an escort of the same guard,
who are devotedly attached to his person.
Each individual of the battalion has FIVE
negresses attached to her service, and, hav-
ing thus no domestic occupation, she can de
vote herself exclusively to the duties of her
profession. There is parade-ground near
the city, where one company is stationed for
two days every week to exercise themselves
in the use of the lance, the pistol, the musket,
and the rifle.
The King attends once a month at those
exercises, accompanied by his brother, who
shares in some degree the sovereign power,
aud distributes prizes to those most deserv-
ing. These rewards consists of bracelets or
other valuable jewelry, to which the girls and
their families attach great Importance
Those so honored fill the Offices of sergeant
and corporal Punishment is very rare in
this corps, and when it is inflicted, it consists
of suspension from service not exceeding
three months But duels are much more fire.
quent. They must be sanctioned, however,
by the female captain, and be fought with
swords in presence of the entire company
When the death of one Of the parties ensues,
the deceased receives magnificent funeral,
and the high priest pronounces a panegyric
declaring that the deceased by her valor has
merited eternal rest in the abode of the
blessed. The survivor receives the congratu-
lations of her companions; but, as a measure
of discipline, she is sentenced to pass two
months away from her company in fasting
and prayer. The military organization of
this battalion is so perfect that the entire
army endeavors to initiate it.
I'm. Nou foI