Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-08-12
THE FRENCH ARMY.
"a. Discipline Described by New York
I've Traveller.
From the New York Evening Postl /,

-;n:s the sons of honest families, 1t draws its
,,reTpotb from the best blood of the nation. For
EN- wears they are kept circulating through
lance except when each regiment takes It's
min Algiers. Thus the entire country Is
t+1ru 10 the entire army, from the thronged
snital to the most quiet provincial town. The
idsas OF the most ignorant arc enlarged, their
ids expanded, rs they are drawn away from
t5e contracted circles of their little eonmunes;
and the sons Of the poorest villagers enjoy the
n'sasures and resp the profits o: travel.
Each individual of this mass is taught to
r,,Ik. 10 stand, to run, to jump, to SWIM to
I;,ob TO handle the small sword and the broad
sEord TO manage the musket and the bayonet,
with such skill as not only to shay his enemy
Ssr of or near at hand, but to protect himself
against more numerous bayOnets, or against the
lag sword of the trooper, or even the far-reach-
,rr and more formidable lance.
Paris i the centre Of this system, and having
.De day obtained the necessary permit had
an opportunity Of seeing how sedulously this
training is attended to. There were not more
than half dezen soldiers exercised at this
time but ii must be remembered that those
who show most fitness for the task are chosen
and drilled most thoroughly, so that in their
turn they may become teachers in their several
regiments.
After some Of the more ordinary gymnastic
fsats three men were placed in front of an end
wall against which were three platforms rising
al
upper platforms was smaller than the one be-
low il BY about eighteen inches, enough to
make comfortable standing room for a man.
Each platform had three equal faces forming
half hexsgOn. and just under the edge of each
face of each ofthe platforms firmly fastened
rCund iron bar, so that if a man were not tall
enough to Jump and catch the edge of the plat
form he might catch the bar below 1 forgot
to mention that each platform was about seven
feet high. and. besides being fastened to the
wall was supported by woodwork below, but
- far from the edge as not to interfere with
the men
Three soldiers were placed in front of these
Platforms, standing on the ground, and each
opposite one OF the faces. The moment the
word Of command was given each man jumped
st the edge of the first PLATFORM; caught it;
TsEel himself up so as to turn up one elbow
and 80 get on the top; jumped in like manner
Al the second platform. and got on it, and then
upon the third All this was done so quickly.
in fact with such startling rapidity. that can
readily understand the confusion of the Aus
tIians at the startling movements Of the French
ssldieTs. 1t seemed-bu but an instant before the
same three soldiers who had been standing
mOtiORless upon the ground in front of the plat
form, we're standing just as motionless upon the
highest platform, waiting for the next com
mand At the word they descended in the
same way ami stood once more upon the ground.
IL
noticed jumping ditch, some two feet deep
aEd about four feet wide at the end, spreading
out to about nine feet at the other 1t was
about ten feet long, so that the widening was
sufficiently gradual.
Here was also a strong plank fence, with a
rOet On top, forming a sort of shed, with the
back toward you, and about fifteen feet high
The roof did not lap over the fence, but scarce
~ fastened to II. as was also a strong iron rod
running along the fence at its junction with
the roof Stats of inch plank were nailed on
thus fence, about three inches apart, and the
whole fence slOped out from the bottom to the
TOP, 50 that when man caught hold of the
s.lts With his fingers his feet would swing clear.
snd he could thus get no assistance from them
IL climbing
The same three soldiers who had sealed the
platforms were placed in front Of this fence
Al the word of command each jumped at it
VIII his fingers hooked like claws. and. having
no hold but what the Stats gave them. they
clawed their way up quickly to the top There
catching hold of the bar, they doubled them
selves up Ill most curious way, turning back
somerset and lying at full lengt tn ON their backs
upon the roof, with their arms against their
mes AT the next command they stretched
oHt their arms, caught hold of the bar, threw
up theIr legs so as to turn a reverse somerset
and so clawed their way down again.
Besides this they are taught 10 perform all
,heT evoiutlons on a run; a style which has
been adopted at West Point. They are taught
70 swim holding the musket and the cartridge
Vo1 ABOVE the water; to jump from a height
upon ledge where there is barely standing
room with their muskets in their hands and
ah thelr aecOutrements upon their backs: to
walk IN The same way along beams, both square
auu round, or along the irregularly shaped
"uhks of trees across bitches or rayines: each
man Is taught to use his musket aud bsyonet
a yaultng pole; and to clim b up his comrades
sHoelaers 81 as to scale wall twenty five feet
IN height
In the recent accounts of the Zouares we arc
''id that they also employ in battle la Sqrrfe
.s the art Of kicking. Having often heard of
TINS one day asked our teacher in the gym
hASi1m Mt Paris if be knew it,
Oh yes -
Well give US specimen Of IT, ,
very we'll place yourself in position as
dId 50 and he advanced towards me with
hlS hands little out from his sides, like a
wrestler ready to take hold in any way.
NO" 1 can kick you on your forward leg
"Ld ereak the bone or hurt you. While you
Slr disturbed by that, or, III case you draw it
your chin - ~
Well, suppose you should kick at my chin.
would catch your foot. Then what would you
Well; try it,
- hca anu caught his loot, but while
heid u hrmiy he turned; threw both hands on
me ground to support his body. and instan-
tsneousiy brought his other fco: SO near nv nose
That let 90 of his foot in a moment.
That Is very clever. Is there any parry 70
that1'' P"i' y"
Oh yes. 1t is very simple You do what
did and I'll show you"
kicked he caught my foot; turned, threw
myself Oh my hands, and thought of course TO
Kick him with my other foot; bat he simply
PIT one foot firmly against the thigh of no
Hther leg and | was pOwerless. There was in
sls movements also this startling rapidity. The
hIcks were like flashes OF lightning and the
rNnds constantly resdy for grapple or blow.
r rom what i saw / have q most respectful dis
IKE TO Ia S0rats, or, as We would say in
LnSlIsh, the Old Shoe.
IL Is impossible to cultivate the body to any
great extent without also thereby cultiyating
the mind Quick and intelligent action or the
Ily brings quick and intelligent action of the
oEaIn. 4 manly seif-respect grows with the
Consciousness Of individual power and this feel
ins Is tostered by the general regulations Of the
army, no French soldier is ever struck;- his
person Is sacred from all blows An amusing
>Tfy about this was once told me by an ex-
soldier: ... I. - = =