Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-05
snaLL.swoap puELs.
An Onieer Tsths OF Different styles OF
Feueine sse tho Results.
sNn- vet
New YORK. start

INeW 1Ork btaf'J
"The recent duel between Boulaugcr
and Floauct," said J. Il. Waldron,
formerly captain in the Fifth cavalry,
20 Post Dispatch reporter, "calls 70
nv mind q most interesting conversation
| once bad with Major do Rudio
on the subject of fencing AS is we'll
known, de- Rudio was one OF the few
conspirstors who escaped after the at
tempt made TO Kill Napoleon III. made
by Ornisi de Rudio, came 10 this coun-
try, and secured commission in the
regular army by most gallant service
during the war. He WAS probably the
best fencer in the army, at least with the
small sword, sud knew the different
styles practiced in every country. One
night ct Fort Laramie be was giving
some OF the officers few lessons in fen
cling and was easily led 10 talk about the
STYLES prevalent among all swordsmen.
'"He was OF the opinion that French
workmanship was tremendously over
rated, and could only be effectively used
when the rules laid down in Paris were
observed. In q contest with either a
Swede, EN- Italian, or a spaniard, III an
open field, where the rules of the French
schools we're disregarded and where
each man was called upon 70 do
fend himself as best be might, be
always maintained that the French
man would inevitably be defeated. In
this school the position OF the
blade, hands, and body Is RICHLY
| Ill II ,rh-Io ,vree4 a1vRuppq
in the art have been made all are IN the
line Of defence, spd all now rules have
been adopted with q view to obuating
fatal results. The consequence IS that
strictly school fencing between two fair
swordsmen has become a most harmless
amusement, aud a slight wound IN
the hand or arm is all that need be fear
ed. The left hand must 60 up in the
balance. and il not allowed to touch an
opponents sword The blades are kept
IN contact. the men must stand on both
feet, and a halt is called ut the first
blood drawn. These rules are very well
in their way. but greatly hamper a man
when brought into contact with ftncer
Of another school.
a Frenchman stands scarcely any
chance at oil asinst Spanlard who
handles bis weapon "a In briCand, ~ Il
il called. Here the rules are entirely
different in match the men break
ground to the right or The left as they
please, advance or fall back, and gene
rally do as seems best 10 them. The only
binding rule OF this school is that the
sword blade should be treated rs II
made Of glass, and never, when il
can possibly be avoided, crossed
with an opponents. Instead Of the
left hand being kept carefully out
OF the way, it is continually used either
to ward thrust or catch an opponent
wrist when the sword Is shortened and
applied Ike a dagger. When French
msn is brought face 30 face with n
swordsmsn who obstinately refuses to
cross blades with him nsd trieste catch
his svord or lis wrist with his hand he
is totally at sea and bis boosted skill is
really an encumbrance. 80 dangerous
have such encounters become that All I'M
written law has been adopted freeing q
Frsnchman from any Obligation to fight
IN this manner.
Another and most dangerous school, "
the speaker went on 10 say, els that car
ried TO its greatest perfection IN Sweden.
There what is known rs the system Of
effective parties IL adopted. The left
hand docs not go up in the balance. but
at close quarters is rested on the lett hip.
The reach is not so long as in the French
style, but the arm is more used, the body
plays d greater part, and III psrrying the
aim is by a strong sidcward motion OF the
arm to disarm al adversary, feat diff
cult OF accomplishment where the wrist
alone is used as IN the French style.
Another habit OF Swedish fencers is to
spring ten feet backward rs soon ~ the
word Is given, and stand facing and not
sideways TO an enemy, With the sword
held with Both hands. point down, in
front Of the body. Ia "A second or two a
rush forward is made. and it Is very diff
cult TO tell with which hand the assault
is to be made, as in this position
the sword can I've changed in an
instant from right to left As
1t is u6ed low. and never cross
ell, fatal stab NAV easily be
given, while the arms protect the chest OF
the assaiIant in I'm admirable manner.
This way Of running in aud stabbing
with either hand is much dreaded by the
old-feshioned crossed blade men, and is
not considered fair in Trance. Another
iavorite Swedish manUuvre IA 60 fall on
one knee and deliver q thrust from be
meath, letting the opponents stroke pass
over the shoulder. These tbrusts are
nearly always fatal. as they inevitably
strike the Utas and laceTa;e them be-
yond the hope Of surgery.
The third school is the Italian, and
this differs from the Partisan in but few
respects, the principal one being that
parties and thrusts in fierce may DO ue-
liyeret with the nails of the fingers
either up or down, while nails up is
strictly prescribed in the French school.
From what have read Of the Boulsnger-
Fioquet duel l am strongly inclined TO
believe that the General was disabled by
what is known os the Italian tierce
guard, followed by the correspond
ing thrusts. In ths high fierce is
caught near the hit, raised nigh IN the
or, and with the back Of the hand
raised riposte is delivered against the
throat of the assailant. Under the
French system, requiring nails up, this
thrust is not possible; but when the
nails are brought-down. and the wrist
bent forward and not back, the blow is
at once easy and difficult 70 parry. be-
lieye that If the truth were known IT
would be found that Flcquet had taken
feE lessons of an Italian master, which
would account for the unexpected result
of the meeting"
TWO Great Soldiers.
tBlaEely ualis Berlin CorTespondenco.l
At the height OF the muuching of
sandwiches and the quaning OF beer an