Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-03-04
A HISTORICAL DUEL.
TWELVE sWoRosMEN SLAIN BY ONE
MAN BEFORE AN ARMY.


Great Armies ms witnesses of tho Terri
bio Work of 0nc sword.
To give Gn idea of what brave incn
can do If he knows fencing thoroughly
and but Eeeps cool and collected in dam
gcr, we will relate historical duel. So
extraordinary is this combat that it
would be held romance had it not been
witnessed by whole army. The hero
is Jean Louis, one of the great masters
of the beginning of this century, and
the duel happened in Madrid in 1918.
He was the master-at-arms of the Thir-
ty-second regiment of French infantry.
The First regiment, composed entirely
Of Italians, formed part Of the same bri-
gade.
Regimental esprit de corps and rival
ries of nationality caused constant quar-
rels. when swords were often whipped
out or bullets exchanged. After small
battle had occurred in the streets of
Madrid, in which over eco French and
Italian soldiers had taken part, the Off
GERS of the two regiments, in council
of war assembled, decided to give such
breaches Of order great blow and tore
establish discipline. They decreed that
the master-at-arms of the two regiments
should take up tho quarrel and fight it
out.
Imagine whole army in battle array
on one of tho large plains that surround
Madrid. In the center large ring is
left open for the contestants. This spot
is raised above the plain SO that not one
Of the spectators Of this tragic scene
gayly dressed officers. soldiers in line.
Spaniards. excited as never a bull fight
excited them-will miss one phase of the
contest. 1t is before 10000 men that the
honor of an army is about to be avenged
in the blood of 80 brave men.
The drum is heard. Two men, naked
to the waist, step in the ring. The first
Is tall and strong. His black eyes roll
disdainfully upon the gaping crowd; he
is Giacomo Forrari, the celebrated Ital-
ian. The second, tall, also handsome,
and with muscles like steel, stands mod
cstly awaiting the word of command:
his name is jean Louis The seconds
take their places on either side of their
principles. a deathlike silence ensues.
"On guard.'
The two masters cross swords. Gia-
como Ferrari lunges repeatedly at Jean
Louis. bat in vain. His evory thrust is
met By q parry. Ec makes mp his mind
to bide his chance and caresses and
leases his opponents blade. Jean Louis.
calm and watchful, lends himself to the
play, when. quicker than lightning, the
Italian jumps aside with loud yell and
makes q terrible lunge at Jean Louisa
| Florentine trick. often successful. But
with Extraordinary rapidity Jean Louis
has parried and risposts quickly in the
shoulder.
1T is nothing" cries Giacomo, "a
mere scratch" and they again fall on
guard Almost directly he is hit in the
breast. This time the sword of Jean
Lonis. who is now attacking. penetrates
deeply. Giacomo's face becomes livid,
his sword drops from his hand, and he
falls heavily on the turf. He IL dead.
jean Louis is already in position. He
wipes his reeking blade; then. with the
point of his sword on the ground, LIE
calmly awaits tho next man.
The best fencer Of the First regiment
has just been carried away II corpse, but
the day is not yet over. Fourteen adver-
saries are there, impatient to measure
swords with the conquoror, burning to
avcnge tho master they had deemed in
vincible.
Jean Louis hardly had two minutes
rest. He is ready. A new adversary
stands before him. A sinister click OF
swords is heard, a lunge, a parry, ris-
postand then a cry, sigh, and all is over.
A second body is before Jean Louis.
A third adversary advances. They
want Jean Louis to rest. II am moi
tired" he answers, with smile.
Tho signal is given. The Italian is as
tall as The one who lies there corpse
covered by military cloak. He has
closely watched Jean Louis play and
thinks he has guessed the secret of his
victories. He multiplies his feints and
tricks: then. all at once. bounding like q
tiger Oh his prey, he gives his opponent
O terrible thrust in the lower line. Bu
Jean Louis sword has parried and is now
deep within his opponents breast.
What need we to relate any more
Ten new adversaries followed him. ant
the 10 fell before Jean Louis amid tn,
excited yells and roars of an army.
AT the request of the Thirty -secont
regiments colonel. who thought TN
lesson sufficient, Jean Louis after mucl
pressing consented to stop the combat
and h9 shook hands with the two sur
vivors, applauded by 10000 men.
From that day fights ceased betweel
French and Italian soldiers.
This wonderful and gigantic comba
might be held fable were not all tn
facts above stated still found in tn
archives Of the ministry of war.-LiI
p;pnott'o