Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-03-26
NO. %
'5(tstellantous.
A King Guarded BY Females.

| =" t5lfai 81, -
The" Moniteur del Armee," publishes
some curious details relative to the army,
/ of the King of Siam. One corps particu-
larly attracts the attention 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 per.
feet They are admitted to serve at the
age of 10, and are placed in the army of
reserve at IS. From that period they no
longer. serve about the Kings person, but
are employed to guard the Royal palaces
and Grown lands. On entering the ar
mysthey make, vow of chastity, from
which there is no exemption unless any
of them should attract the Kings atten-
ton and be admitted among his legiti-
mate wives. The Kings choice seldom
falls on the most beautiful. but on the
most skilled in military exercises. The
hope of such a reward animates them
with extraordinary zeal for military in
Struction, and Europeans are astonished
at the martial appearance of that battal.
lion as we'll as its skill in maneuyering
and its excellent discipline
d. The costume these women wear IS very
rich. Their full dress is composed of q
white wooden robe embroidered withgold.
The cloth is EXTREMITY fine, and descends
as far as the knee; it is covered with a
light coat of mail and guilt euirass.-
The arms are free and the head is cove.
ed with guilt casque. When wearing
this dress on State occasions, their only
weapons is a lance, which they handle
with great dexterity. With their undress
they are armed with musket.. The bat
tallion is composed of four companies. and
J, each company Of 100 men, commanded by
a captain Of their sex. ShouldsfBe cap
tain die, the company is drilled for. three
days by the King, who appoints the most
competent to succeed in command. The
battalion has been commanded for the
last five years by a woman, who saved the
Kings life at tiger hunt, by her cour-
age and skill, She possesses great irfIu-
ence at Court, and is much respected by
those under her command. She has the
same establishment as a member of the
Royal family, and 20 elephants are placed
at her service.
The King never undertakes any expe-
dition without being accompanied by his
body guard; nor does he 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 having thus no domestic occupation,
she can devote herself exclusively to the
duties of her profession, There is a pa.
rade ground near the city, where one COM
pany is stationed for two days every week
to exercise themselves with the lance the
pistol, the musket and the rife. The
King attends once a month at these exer-
cises, accompanied by his brother who
shares in some degree in the sovereign
power and distributes prizes to the most,
deserving. These rewards consist of
bracelets and other valuable iewelry, 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 for period not
exceeding three months. But duels are
much more frequent. They must be sane
toned, however, by the female captain,
and be fought with swords in the presence
Of the company. When the death OF one
of the parties ensues, the deceased re.
ceives magnificent funeral, and the high
priest pronounces a panegyric declaring
that the deceased. by her valour has mer-
tied eternal rest IN the abode of the bless.
ed. The survivor receives the congratu-
lations OF her companions; but as q meas
ure Of discipline, she is seatel I'd to pass
two months away from her company in
fasting and prayer. The military organ
lization of'this battalion is SO perfect that
the entire army end aavor- to initiate it.