Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-10
QNOreester 4ailp Spp.


Its Discipline described by "a New York
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 musket and the
bayonet, with such skill as not only to STAY his
enemy far off Or near at band, but TO protect
himself against more numerous bayonets,
against the long sword of the trooper or even
the Tar reaching and more formidable lance
After some of the more ordinary gymnastic
feats, three men were placed in front of an end
wall against which were three platforms, ris.
ing one above the other 10 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 nan.
Each platform had three equal faces, forming
a half hexagon; and just under the edge OF
each face of each of the plsttorms was firmly
fastened a round iron rod, SO that if man
were not tall enough to jump and catch the
edge OF the platform, he might catch the bar
below. forget TO mention that each platform
was about seven feet high, and, besides being
fastened to the wall, was supported by wood
work below, but SD 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 jump.
ed at the edge of the first platform, caught il,
raised himself up so as to turn up one elbow
and so get on the top; jumped in like man.
ner at the second platform, and get on it, and
then upon the third. All this done SO quickly,
in fact with such startling rapidly, that
can readily understand the confusion of the
Austrians mt the startling movements of the
French soldiers. 1t seemed but an instant be
fore the same three soldiers who had been
standing moioness upon the ground in front
of the platforms were standing just as mo.
tonless upon The highest platform, waiting for
the next command. AT the word they de-
scended 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 the widening was suffi
ciently gradual
Here was also strong plank fence, with a
roof on top, forming sort of shed, with the
back toward you, and about fifteen feet high
The roof did not lap over the fence, but was
securely fastened 10 it, as was also strong
iron rod running along the fence at its juno
ton with the roof Stats of inch plank were
nailed on this fence, about three inches apart,
and the whole fence sl0ped out from the bot.
tom 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 assist
ance IRON 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 at it
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 a
back summerset and lying 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 so as to turn re-
verse summerSet and so clawed their way
down again.
Besides this they are taught TO swim, hold
ing the musket and the cartridge box above
the water. to jump from height upon a
ledge where there is barely Standing room.
with their muskets i'll their hands and all their
accOutramnn.e upon th4i" bn1ks walk in
the same way along beams, both square and
round, or along the rreguarly shaped trunks
of trees across bitches or ravines each man
is taught TO use his musket and bayonet as a
vaulting pole; and to climb up his comrades
shoulders 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 Sa.
vate, or the art oil kicking Having often heard
of this. one day asked our teacher in the
gymnasium at Paris if he knew it.
"Oh, yes"
"Wel, give US a specimen of it,"
Every well, place yourself in position as a
boxer"
81 did so, and he advanced towards me with
hands little out from his sides, like wrest-
Ter ready 10 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 case you draw it
back, can easily raise my foot to your stom-
ach or your chin"
"Well, suppose you should kick at my chin
Il would catch your foot. Then what would
you %"
"N ell, try it,"
He kicked, and l caught his foot, but Willie
held it firmly he turned, threw both hands
on the ground to support his body, and in
stantly brought his other foot so near my nose
that let go OF his foot in moment
" That is very clever. Is there any parry
TO that 2"
"Oh, yes. 1t is very simple You do what
did, and Ill 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
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 rapidly. The kicks were like flashes
OF lightning, and the hands constantly ready
Cor a grappIe or a blow. From what saw, l
have most respectful dislike to la Sauate or,
as we would say in English, the Old Shoe
N. Y. EUening Post.