Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-05-30
THE FRENCH ARMY /;

THE FRENCH ARMY;
Its Discipline Described by New York Trav-
eller.
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 broad
sword, to manage the musket and the bayonet,
with such skill as not only to slay his enemy
far off or near at hand but to protect himself
against more numerous bayonets, against the
long sword of the trooper, or evon the far
reaching and more formidable lance.
After some some of the more ordinary gym
nastic 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 was smaller than the one
below it by about eighteen inches, enough to
make comfortable standing room for man.
Each platform had three equal faces, forming
half hexagon and just under the edge OF each
face of each of the platforms was firmly fastened
a round iron rod so that if q man were not
tall enough to Jump and catch the edge of the
platform, he might catch the bar below. for
got to mention that each platform was about
seven feet high. and, besides being fastened to
the wall, was supported by wood work below,
but so 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
at the edge of the first platform, caught it,
raised himself up so as to turn upon one elbow
and so get on the top; jumped in like manner
at the second platform, and get on it, and then
upon the third. All this done so quickly in
fact with such sta Ting rapidity, that l can
readily understand the confusion of the Aus
trians at the startling movements OF the French
soldiers. 1t seemed but an instant before the
same three soldiers who had been standing
motioness upon the ground in front of the
platforms were standing just as motionless upon
the highest platform, waiting fIr the next COM
mand. At the word they descended in the
same way, and stood once more upon the
ground.
In yard attached to the gymnasium, no.
ticed 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 widening was sufficiently
gradual.
Here was also a long plank fence, with a
roof On top, forming sort of ehod with the
back toward you. and about fifteen feet high.
The roof did not lap over the fence, but was
securely fastened to it, as was also a strong iron
rod running along the fence at its junction with
the roof Stats of 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 a 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 sealed the
platforms were placed in front of this fence
AT the word of command each jumped at il
with fingers hooked liked 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 in a most curious way, turning back
summerset and lying at full length on theil
backs upon the roof, with their arms agains
their sides. At the next command they stretch
ed out their arms. caught hold of the bar
threw up their legs so as to turn a reverse sum
merset, and so clawed their way down again.
Besides this they are taught to swim, hold
ing the musket and the cartridge box above thu
water, to jump from height upon ledgt
where there is barely standing room, with thei
| muskets in their hands and all their accountre
ments upon their backs to walk in the sam
way along beams, both square and round, o
along the irregularly shaped trunks of tree
across bitches or ravines each man is taugh
to use his musket any bayonet as vaultin;
! pole; and to climb up his comrades shoulder
so as to scale a wall twenty-five feet in height.
In the recent account OF the Zouaves we ar
told that they also employ in battle Ia Sacatc
or the art of kicking. Having often heard q
this, one day asked our teacher in the gym,
nasium at Paris if he knew it.
"Oh, yes"
"Well, give us a specimen of it."
"Very well, place yourself in position as
boxer"
81 did so, and he advanced towards me wit
hands little out from his sides like a wrestle
ready to take hold in any way
snow | can kick you on your forward les
and break the bone or hurt you. While 70
are disturbed by that, or, in case you draw
back, can easily raise my foot to your stou
ach or your chin"
swell suppose you should kick at my chi
i wonld catch your foot. Then what woul
you do? ?"
"Well, try it,"
lie kicked, and / caught his foot, but while
held it firmly he turned, threw both hands O
the ground to support his body and Instant
brought his other foot so near my nose that
let go of his foot in a moment.
"Ihat is very clever. Is there any parry
thatP"
"Oh, yeas. 1t is very simple. You do VIII
did, and I'll show you"
| kicked, he caught my foot; turned, thre
myself on my hands, and thought OF course
kick him with my other foot; but he simply pl
one foot firmly against the thigh of my 9th
leg, and | was poweress. There was in h
, movements also this same startling rapid
The kicks were like flashes of lightning, al
the hands constantly ready far a grappe or
blow. From what saw, have a most r
spectilul dislike to Ia Sardte, or, as we wou
say in English, the Old Shoe.-N. Y. Ereni'
Post,