Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-10
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 10, 1859.


THE DRILL OF THE FRENCH SOLDIER.
MIR. John MacNullen relates in the New
saw IN Paris. in relation to the drill of the
French soldier:
Each individual of this mass (,he conScrip-
tom is taught to walk, to stand, to run, to
jump, to swim. tn climb to handle the small
sword and the broadsword. to nanage the mus
ket and the bayonet, with such skill as not only
toslay his enemy far of or near at hand, but u
protect himself against more numerous bayo-
nets. or against the long sword Of the trooper,
or even the far-reaching and more formidable
lance.
Paris is the centre Of this system. and hav-
ing one day obtained the necessary permit,
had an opportunity of seeing how sedulous-
ly this training is attended to. There were
not more than half dozen soldiers exercised
at this time, but il must be remembered that
those who show most fitness for the task are
chosen and drilled most thoroughly, 50 that
in their turn they may become teachers in
their several regiments.
After some Of the more ordinary gymnastic
feats, three men were placed in front OF an
end wall. against which were three plat
forms, rising one above the other tn the roof.
Each Of the upper platforms was smaller
than the one below it 10y about eighteen
inches. enough to make comfortable stand
ing room for man. Each platform had
three equal faces. forming Il hall hexagon,
and just under the edge Of each face OF each
of the platforms was firmly fastened round
iron bar, no that If n man were not tall enough
TO Jump and catch the edge of the platform
he might catch the bar below. | forgot to
mention that each platform was about seven
feet high, and, besides being fastened to the
but 50 far from the edge rs not to interfere
with the men.
Three soldiers were placed in front ofthesc
platforms standingon the ground, and each
opposite one Of the faces. The moment the
word of command was given each man Jump
ed at the edge of the first platform; caught
it; raised himself up 81 as to turn one elbow.
and 50 get on the top; Jumped in like man-
ner at the second platform. and got on 1t,
and then upon the third. All this was done
soquickly. in fact with such startling rapid
ity, that can readily understand the contu-
sion Of the Anstrians Mt the startling move
ments of the French soldiers. 1t seemed but
an instant before the same three soldiers
who had been standing motionlesS upon the
ground in front of the platform were stand
ing just as motionless upon the highest plat
form, waiting for the next command
At the word they descended in the same
way, and stood once more upon the ground.
In a yard attached to the gymnasium l
noticed ajumping ditch. some two feet deep
and about four feet wide ut one end, spread
ing out tc about nine feet at the other. Ii
was about ten feet long, so that the widening
was sufficiently gradual.
Here was also strong plank fence, with
roof on top, forming II sort OF She'd with the
back toward you, and about fifteen feet high.
The roof did not lap over the fence, but Was
securely fastened to it, rs was also Il strong
iron rod running along the fence at its june
ton with the roof. Stats of inch plank were
nailed on this fence. about three inches apart,
and the whole fence sloped out from the bot
tom to the top, 40 that when man caught
hold of the stats with his fingers his feet would
swing clear. and he could thus get no assis-
lance from them in climbing.
The same three soldiers who had scaled the
platforms were placed in front Of this fence.
At the word of command each Jumped ut it
with fingers hooked like claws. and. having
no mold but what the stats gave them they
clawed their way up quickly to the top
There, catching hold Of the bars, they doub-
led themselves up in most curious way.
turning back somerset and lying at length
on their backs upon the roof, with their arms
against their sides. At the next command
they stretched out their arms, caught hold Of
the bar, threw up their legs 50 as to turn
IL, tIaI.
down again.
Besides this they are taught to perform
all their evOlutions on Il run; style which
has been adopted at West Point. They are
taught to swim holding the musket and the
cartridge-box above the water; To jump from
height upon ledge where there is barely
standing room, with their muskets in their
hands and all their accoutrements upon their
backs to walk in the same way along beams
both square and round, or along the irreS-
ularly shaped trunks Of trees across bitches
or ravines; each man is taugh t to use his
musket and bayonet as vaulting pole; and
to climb upon his comrades shoulders So as
to scale wall twenty-five feet in height.
In the recent accounts of the Iouares we
are told that they also employ in battle, la
Savate, or the art of kicking. Having often
heard of this, | one day asked our teacher
in the gymnasium at Paris, ifhe knew it.
ooh! yes"
"Well, give US a specimen Of it"
Very WE'LL place yourself in position ~
a boxer"
did so, and he advanced towards me with
his hands little out from his sides. like II
wrestler ready to take hold in any way
Now l can kick you on your forward
leg, and break the bone or hurt you. While
YOU are disturbed by that, or in case you draw
it back. can raise my foot to your stomach
or chin" >.
"Well, suppose you should kick at my chin,
l would catch your foot. Then what would
you do?"
well, try it." -,
He kicked and caught his foot, but while
held it firmly he turned, threw both hands
on the ground to support his body, anu
instantaneously brought his other foot ~
near my nose that let goof his foot in mo
ment
THAT is very clever. Is there any parry
to that?"
ooh, yes. 1t is very simple. ion dowhat
did, and III show you
kicked; he caught my foot; l turned,
threw myself on my hands. and thought OF
course to kick him with my other foot; but
II. III -