Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-05
BUILDING UP SOLDIERS.
Important Part Played by the Gymnasium in
Our Army.

1t is the generally accepted opinion
IN the army today that there is nothing
which deserves more close attention or
which pays larger interest in benn-
lclal results that the physical training
of the individual soldier. Not that the
subject was ever less important than 1t
is today, but it has been only within
the last few years that the army, with
drawn from small and isolated posts
and concentrated in a great measure
into large garrisons with gymnasium
facilities, has been able to devote to
this subject the careful and systematic
attention it deserved.
Marshal SAKE sounded the keynole
when he said the secret of success in
war lies i'll the legs of the soldier"
And it might be added further that not
only to the legs of the soldier should
the commander look for success, but in
the arms, the back, the lungs, in fact.
the entire physical organism; for the
endurance or lack of endurance of all
of these may mean the difference be
tween victory and defeat. All other
things being equal. that army which
can cover the greatest distance in thu
least time and with the least fatigue
that army which can stand sleeplcss
nights and tiresume marches with poor
food and poorer comforts. and still lie
in good physical condition, has its bat
ties half won before the first shot IS
fired.
The only principle Of strategy or
tactics that old General Forrest, the
Confederate cavalrymen. ever pre-.
tended to know was that Of getting
the most men there first" Ana after
all the volumes that have been written
on these subjects have been simmered
down and digested. the whole thing
narroWs down to pretty nearly that
principle.
The problem then is how to get the
most men there first" ana not have
them exhausted when they do arrive.
The only natural solution is. 10y uni
form and systematic physical training,
To render their bodies almost insus-
ceptihle To fatigue
This system Of progressive instruc-
ton in physical training il carried IN
throughout the entire army. Several
manuals have been prepared. principal
~ nv Mr.. Koeh)er. Instructor in gym
nastics at West Point, and by Lieu
tenant Butts. of the Fifth Infantry.
An officer who has special aptitude for
the work is put in charge of the course
of instruction at each post, and to
gather with his assistants takes active
part with the men in all the exercises.
Drill halls or eymnasiums have been
provided at a number Of the larg Hr
posts
The system begins with exercises Of
the mildest nature. such as calisthenicS
without apparatus of any kind. From
these, dumb bells. Indian clubs. bar
bells. medicine balls running, etc, are
taken up. When sufficient time has
been devoted to the mlder forms the
training proceeds to practice in vault
ing. jumping. running fully armed and
equipped. escaadng and finally eX
ercises on the various gymnastic APP
paratus.
Though the rate of advancement may
sometimes seem slow and tedious to
those men who show special aptitude
for athletics, they can put in as much
extra time as they desire i'll the gym
nasum. The system is not devised for
athletes, but for the training of the
whole mass to as great a degree of pro-
ficency as possible, just as IA chain
should be made strong, not by welding
a few of its links to unusual thickness.
but by distributing the metal as evenly
as possible throughout its entire length.
After the course has been we'll en-
tered upon field days are held at the
various posts. prizes of no small value
being given to the winners of events.
In some instances also athletic contests
between teams from different posts
have taken place The plan even Of
forming an athletic association, com
posed of all the regiments of the army,
with a grand annual contest al some
central locality, has been seriously dis
cussed and is not among the impossi-
bilities in the near future.
In Lieutenant Butts manual there is
described a very pretty system of using
the rifle in caliSthenic work. There are
q number of exercises calling into play
all the muscles of the body. not only
skilfully. but in manner very pleasing
to the eye.
Facilities for gymnastic work are be
ing increased and improved as rapidly
as possible at every post i'll the army
Any one Interested in the work cannot
but recognize the fact that such eX-
ercises not only build up the constitu-
tons of the soldiers and render them
msensble to fatigue. hut by presenting
a free and interesting diversion from
the monotony of post life are poWerfui
factors in keeping the men from vast
ing their time in useless and possibly
harmful amuSementS
Verify instead of being Il passing
fad, the system Of physical training in
the army has decidedly come to stay
Illustrated American.