New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-21
Uoyy TEE FRENCH AND TEE EN-
GKasn MAKE THEXEs sOXDEEES.
p.r, Ey.-,xi;isnry Gyiruassies.

Part E1.-MiIisnry Gymnastics.
In the previous number the English system of mus
kerry instruction WIS described as far as the limited
srv,ee would allow Conf ssedly French invention,
it has been naturalized in Engiand--and even the
Freach admit that the Eg'isn have made more OF II
than tley have themselves. They admit That the
English method is mach more prpetcal-nuea more
exacng aud precise than their own-ihe utmost at
tentou being aid individual training and instIuc-
ten. and more than this, the officers admitted to ne
thai tee English would always beat the French at
firing on account Of their sangiroid, "tbe ba! onet
being the Frenchmans weapon England Will
scarcely adult, this CONCESSION coupled with lie
acl,ipl" as 70 her time-hOnored bayOuet. However,
it will be well if she vigorously enforce bayonet eX-
ercise III her army since is certain that tie French
practice it most a.sduously. point blank rolley
and a IT soute charge Of bayonets were the routine
of old but circumstances have changed, and bayonet
work with the French, will be different game in
future. All who are likely to cross bayoneis with
the French had better acquire the " sci nee Of the
game, which the French are prepared aud determined
to play. / asked q soldier Of tie 18th ChasseurS
what was the "fgure Of merit of his battalion at
frisg. "0h about 20 per cent" said he, Tut We
don't care much about firing" What then =
asked. " The bayonet,. lie replied, placing hitse If
in position, snd adding" At Magenta we did not
fire shot, but we made lots of prisoners with the
bayonet-it is the arm of tie French"
England is alive to this fact and the new edition Of
her Drill Book, now forthcoming, will make bayon
exercise according to the French method, proini-
nent fea
Ia snb ~ "a rnilif N.
nasiies is now exclusively French. England has
recently turned her attention TO the subject and
ders baye been issued tending the adoption Of this
most important method Of military training.
The great French school OF Military Gymnastics il
at the RedOute de la Fasandee, part of the forIif
cations near yincennes. There are three Professor
of the science and art of gymnastics, under a com
nlandant whose character sites the highest ntell
eence and most exquisite poiteness, which the write
Of these pages will never forget.
About 800 privates and officers here undergo
course Of instruction during Six months in order e
act ss monitors instructors in their respective re
mens and battaiions.
The instruction OF gymnsates precisely under sim
liar regulations TO those Of the muskery instruction.
The colonel il responsible for the gynnastc insruc-
ton Of bis regiment. The leute colonel directs
the application of Ihe rules aud regulations
All tn off ere Of the regiment must be abe to OK.
plain the requirements Of The regulations, but they
ere not required TO have verbatim knowledge OF
the explanations. Up 20 the age of thirty years.
however, the lieuteuns and sub-lieuenabts must be
able to 60 through the exercises. 1t is evident from
this that the French idea supposes military gymnas-
tics to be essential practice both for officers aud
men; indeed, it seems absuId that any officer shosd
give any command which he is unable himself 10
perform, not TO mention the possibility Of the circu-
stances in which his own life or safety may depend
upon ls knowledge skill and dexterity
In no army ~ etiicieucy so peremptory as in the
French. The French officer must either rice from
The ranks, he must have passed through of the
military schools, where he Las been made 10 pass
through tie ranks equally WELL All French officers
are, therefore, either well educated or well trained,
and know their business thoroughly.
On account Of the paramount importance Of what
Is called the course cadenote-" well balanced run
and the possibility of its frequent application in clos
ing upon enemy or in ssizing a position all the
captains Leutenants, aud sub,ieutenants must know
i's principles aud be practiced In il. its rapidty Il
200 steps per minute going oyer 1000 meers abou;
4,SS3 yards in twenty minutes. Its duration must
NOT exceed twenty minutes, excepting absolute ne
cessity, nor must it be in obli:ne direction. In
running TIE men advised to breathe only through
The nostrils, keeping the mouth chQt. Experience
mas proved, and good physiological reasons suggest
'a' ~ conforming much as possible 20 this prnc
P0' man can continue to run much longer and with
Less fatigue.
.e sS'nhaSac exercises are divided Into /" ele.
.I-,; y gymnastics aud gymnastics applied"
sr ', a. aprnea 10 special military purposes. gen.
cru a. progression regulates al. the exercises.
Iho men are divided into f. :,
class comprisss all the recruits Thas~ -. '."u
~ Praciced in the st lessons Of :, ,Acisis0
nasties during tie fst fortnight Of ,ha;sy gym
anu 0e'Oie thoy proceed TO reeimental DIN.
slas Consists Of those who are proicjen, IN ,h eo.
-FOUR lessons Of thcgeneral progression and e ni',
,s, 81 'pose WHO are preparing for the argt Ths
n's' class practices twice week. the eecons an, ,ne
'nes week the third elass twice dov INIT, tI ,s