The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-06
THE FRENCH ARMY.

M N''.I
The French army is certainly one of the best de-
veloped bodies of that the world has ever seen
Formed almost entirely of conscripts, the of
honest families, 1T draws its strength from the best
blood of the nation. For seven years they are kept
circulating through France, except when each regi-
ment takes its turn in Algiers. Thus the entire
country IS known to the entire army, from the
thronged capital to the most quiet provincial town.
The ideas OF the most ignorant are enlarged their
minds expanded, as they are drawn away from the
contracted circles of their little communes; and the
sons Oh the poorest villagers enjoy the pleasures
and reap the profits of travel.
Each individual of this mass is taught to walk, to
stand to run, to jump to swim, to climb to handle
the small sword and the broadsword, to manage the
musEet and the bayonet with such skill as not only
to slay his enemy far off near at hand, but to
protect himself against more Numerous bayonets
or against the long sword of the trooper or even
the tar-reaching and more formidable lance.
Paris is the centre of this system, and having one
day obtained the necessary permit, had an oppor-
unty OF seeing how sedulousy this training is at
tended to. There were not more than half a dozen
soldiers exercised at this time, but it must be re-
membered 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 sew
eral regiments.
After some of the more ordinary gymnastic feats
three men were placed in front of an end wall,
against which were three platforms rising one
above the other to the roof. Each of the upper
platforms smaller than the one below it by
about eighteen inches, enough to make comforta-
three equal faces, forming half hexagon. and lust
under the edge OF each face of eaca of the platforms
was firmly fastened round iron bar, so that if a
man were not tall enough to jump and catch the
edge Of the platform, be might catch the bar below
forgot to mention that each platform was about
seven feet high, and besides being fastened to the
wall, was supported by wood work below but 80
far from the edge as not to interfere with the
Three soldiers placed in front of these plat
forms, standing on the ground, and each opposite
one of the faces. The moment the word of com
mand was given each man jumped at the edge of
the first platforms canpht il; raised himsef up so
as to turn up one elbow, and so get on the top;
jumped in like manner at the second platform, and
got on it, and then upon the third. All this was
done so quickly, in fact with such startling rapid
ty, that can readily understand the confusion of
the Austrians at the startling movements of the
French soldiers 1t seemed but an instant before
the same three soldiers who had been standing mo-
tionless upon the ground in front of the platforms
were standing just as motionless upon the highest
PLATFORM waiting for the next command At the
word they descended in the same way and stood
once more upon the ground
In yard attached to the gymnasium noticed a
jumping ditch, some two feet deep and about four
feet wide at one end spreading out to about nine
feet at the other. 1t was about ten feet long, so
that the widening sufficiently gradual
Here was also a strong plank fence, with roof
on top, forming sort of shed, with the back to-
ward you, and about fifteen feet high. The roof
did not lap over the fence, but securely asten-
ed to it, also strong iron rod running along
inch plank were nailed on this fence, about three
inches apart, and the whole fence sloped out from
the bottom to the top, so that when man caught
hold of the Stats with his fingers his feet would
SWING clear, and he could thus get no assistance
from them in climbing.
The same three soldiers who had scaled the plat
forms placed in front of this fence At the
word of command each jumped at it with fingers
hooked like claws, and, having no hold but what
the Stats gave them, they clawed their wav up
quickly to the top. There, catching hold Of the
bar, they doubled themselves up in a most curious
way, turning back somerset and living at full
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 to turn a reverse
somerset, and so clawed their way down again.
Besides this they are taught to perform all their
evolutions a run; style which has been adopt
| ed at West Point. They taught to swim hold
ing the musket and the cartridge box above the wa
| ter; to jump from height upon ledge where
there is barely standing room with their muske cts
! 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 irregularly
shaped trunks OF trees across bitches or ravines;
| each man is taught to use his musket and bayo-
net as vaulting pole; and to climb up his com
rade's shoulder so as to scale wall twenty five feet
in height.
In the recent accounts of the Zouaves we are
told that they also employ in battle la SaUute, or
! the art of kicking. Having often heard of this
one day asked our teacher in the gymnasium at
Paris if he knew it.
"0h yes"
| "Wel give a specimen of it,"
every well, place yourself in position as
boxer"
| did so, and he advanced towards me with his
hands little out from his sides, like wrestler
ready to take hold in any way.
"Now | can kick you on your forward leg,
and break the bone or hurt you. While you are
disturbed by that, or, in you draw it back
can raise my foot to your stomach or your
Ell, suppose co IL "a. .y-e,.,,.,
would catch your foot. Then what would you
| do2"
''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, and instantaneously brought
foot in moment.
THAT is very clever Is there any parry to
that 2"
J., "oh yes, 1t is very simple. You do what l
L kicked; he caught my foot, | turned threw
myself on my hands, and thought of course to kick
him with my other foot; but he simply put one foot
firmly against the thigh of my other leg and was
powerless. There was in his movements also this
same startling rapidity. The kicks were like flashes
of lightning, and the hands constantly ready for
grappe or a blow. From what | saw have most
respectful dislike to Ia Sa0ate or, as we would say
in English, the Old Shoe.
1t is impossible to cultivate the body to any great
extent without also thereby cultivating the mind
Quick and intelligent action of the body brings
quick and intelligent action to the brain. manly
selfrespect grows with the consciousness of indi-
vidual power and this feeling is fostered by the
general regulations of the army no French soldier
is ever struck: his person is sacred from all blows
an amusing story about this was once told me by
an eX-soldier.
81 was with Soult in the retreat from Spain. We
had just crossed the Adour and were forming on its
bank, when an officer, provoked at the stupidity of
a soldier, struck him with the fat of his sword.
soldier his haI tbo
charge, and the officer ram pursued by the enraged
soldier all along the line, until some officers stopped
him and sent him to his place.
'lt he had killed the officer, what would have
been done ?''
che would have been court-martialled and i'm
prisoned no doubt, for some time but nothing more
The officer had no right to strike him.
Imprisonment is the chief punishment, and there
Is singular provision to the comparative quan-
tity of punishment. Taking up a paper one day in
Paris, read of two ladies at Versailles who, per
secuted by the attentions of intoxicated officer
sought protection from a common sentry standing
guard in the chief street of the place. The sentry
with that poiteness which, in France, is not con
fined to the educated, Immediately gave the ladies
his protection, and requested the officer to desist
He, unfortunately for himself turned upon the GEN
try and commenced abusing him. The sentry raised
his voice and called the guard The officer was ar
rested, tried and condemned to a years imprison-
ment for abusing sentry on his post. The account
stated that in the case of officers all punishments
were doubled On inquiring about this | was told
that such was the regulation. If recollect rightly
was told at the time, that the punishment
for striking sentry on his post was DEATH
most amusing illustration of the dignity of a
sentry, well as of the pecuarities of the French
language, fell under my own observation. A valet
named Joseph -, quick-witted and industri-
GUS fellow, who laid by his earnings and invested
them in railroad stock, went to the Tuileries one
evening to see the guests out of their carriages
and enter the Palace to attend one of Louis Phil
lippe's court balls. Pushing for good place. he
crowd within certain limits, and who in turning
quickly, came sticking his bayonet in Joseph's
face.
"Fdis attention DONE" said Joseph.
"What is that do you speak so to me?
Joseph was instantly SEIZED sent to the guard
house and obliged to pass the night there. In the
morning he sent word to a gentleman with whom
he had lived, and who managed to get him off with
out further punishment.
In French one has the right to Ithee and thou
only relative, an intimate friend or an inferior
10 speak thus to a stranger is therefore to treat
him as inferior, and is always looked upon as an
insult. Instead of saying ''Fdis attention" (pay
thou attention. he should have said "Faes affen-
ton" (pay yoa attention. heard the story from
Joseph, and it was corrOborated by the gentleman
who released him.
The social equality which is so wonderful in
France pervades also the army. The naughty dis
tance OF the English officer is unknown. Mingled
with implicit obedieCce to command is the constant
acknowledgment of a common brotherhood Each
man knows his place and keeps it, but not stifly-
In consequence of this the men better cared for
and their complaints meet with more attention.
The officer himself who listens to them NAV have
risen from the ranks; for the French army is far