The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-03-13
THE DAILY GAZETTE.
MlseFLEnIEODS.

~ /. " - v ~~s1 =
TiAHtSE FEMALE SOLDIERS.
The following description Of the
King Of Slams female military body
udard. though not entirely new, is in
isgastipg from it, minuteness. It ap-
pess1ain the Nsntieur de rArmee:
A1sbattslion Of The Kings Guard
consists Of 400 women, chosen among
the hsndsomsst and most robust girls
in tue country. They receive excel.
lent psy, and their discipline is per-
iSa.sfhsy are admitted to serve at
the age Of 13, and are placed in the
army Of reserve as Is. From that
period they no longer serve about the
Kings psrson, but are employed to
4niafd the royal palace and the crown
lands. On entsring the army they
,naks vow Of chastity, from which
there is no exemption unless any Of
them should attract the Kings atten-
tion aud BE- admitted amongths legit-
imate wives. Tie Kings choice sell
lom tails on the most beautiful, but
ii, the most skilled in military exer-
ciscs. 81.
The hope of such q reward animates
them with extraordinary zeal for mill.
tary instruction, and Europeans are
,stonislled At the martial appearance
ofthAlattalion, rs we'll as its skill in
,naneuvring and ito excellent disci-
plne. The costume these women
weafis very rich. Their full dress is
composed OF a white woolen robe, EN-
l,roiaered with gold. The - -. rs ex.
trernely fine and decends as far as the
knee; it is covered with light coat Of
nail and a gilt cuirass. The arms
are free, and the head is covered with
. gilt 'caeque. When wearing this
itch dress on state occasions their gu
ly weauo- IS q lance, which they han
lie with wonderful dexterity. With
their undress they are armed with a
,nuskes. The battalion is composed
ofiour companies, and each company
If 100 women commanded by a capi
tain 6ftheir sex. Should the captain
lie, the company is drilled for three
days ~ the King, who appoints the
,notE Competent to sncceed to tho DOM
lnapd, ,ssa -
The battalion has been commanded
/ or the Last five years by woman who
saved the Kings life at tiger hunt
by her courage and skill. She pos
se0sos great influence at court. and is
much respected by those under her
,.ommand. She has the same estab-
lisksaent as member ofthe royal faui-
w, And ten elephants are placed at
hor service. The King never takes
All expedition without being accom-
ranied by his female guard, nor does
be ever hunt, or even ride out, with
cut N escort Of the same guard, who
arc dsyotedly attached to his person.
Each Individual Of the batta.ioa has
6vs negresses attached to her service,
and, having tbns no domestic occupa
ton, she can devote herself exclusive
ly to the duties Of her protession.-
Thero il 3 parade ground near the
city,whefe one company is stationed
for two days every week to exercise
theiuselyas in the use OF the lance,
the pistol, the nausket and the rifle.
The King attends once q month at
thSBs exercises, accompanied by his
brother, who ahares in some degree
the sovereign power, and distributes
prizes to the most deserving. These
rewards consist OF lbracelets and 9th
sr Yalnabls jswslry, to which the girls
and their families attach great impor
tance. >. Those 90 honored I'll the Off
cessof sergeant and corporal. Pun
ishment is very rare inthis corps, and
when it 10 inflicted 1T consists OF a
suspension from service for a period
not exceeding three months. But
duels are more frequent They must
lie sanctioned, however, by the female
captain, and be fought with swordsin
the presence Of the entire company
When the death Of one Of the. parties
eusues the deceased receives magt
uiflcent tuperal, and1the high priest
pronounces panegyric declaring tha-
the deceased BY her salor has merit
ed eternal rest in the abode OF the
blessed. The survivor receives the
congratulations Of her companions;
but as a measure Of discipline, sne is
sentenced to pass two months sway
from her company in fasting and pray
er. The military organization oftaiS
battalion is so perfect that the entire
army endeavors to intimate it.
TgReIpLE o0LLIERy EXPLOSION ONE
HUNDRED AND FoRTY PERSONS BURN