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[Illustration:
NEW SYSTEM
OF SWORD
EXERCISE
]
A NEW SYSTEM
OF
SWORD EXERCISE FOR INFANTRY.
BY
RICHARD F. BURTON,
AUTHOR OF ‘A SYSTEM OF BAYONET EXERCISE’ (1853).
LONDON:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY
WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, 13, CHARING CROSS.
1876.
THESE PAGES
ARE DEDICATED (WITH PERMISSION)
TO
His Royal Highness Field-Marshal the Duke of Cambridge,
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY,
ETC., ETC., ETC.,
WHO HAS GRACIOUSLY ENCOURAGED THIS ATTEMPT TO EXTEND
THE ‘INFANTRY SWORD EXERCISE,’
BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS’S
MOST HUMBLE AND DEVOTED SERVANT,
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introductory Remarks 11
Sect. I. Preparatory Instruction without the Sword 20
II. Preparatory Instruction with the Sword 26
III. The Manchette, or Fore-arm Play 45
Conclusion 56
Appendix (Note on Sabre handles) 57
[Illustration]
A NEW SWORD EXERCISE FOR INFANTRY.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Before proceeding to develop my New Sword Exercise for Infantry, I
would offer a few remarks upon the changes proposed in these pages.
Whilst the last half century has witnessed an immense improvement in
the projectile weapons of the civilized world, the theory and practice
of the sabre or cutting arm have remained _in statu quo ante_; indeed,
if there has been any change it is for the worse. The two systems
authorized in the British army are completely behind their time. First
and senior is the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ (with plates): Revised
Edition, Adjutant-General’s Office, Horse Guards. London: Printed under
the superintendence of H.M. Stationery Office: 1874. The second is
the ‘Instructions for the Sword, &c. (without plates), for the use of
Cavalry.’ Adjutant-General’s Office, Horse Guards. June, 1871.
The latter can be despatched very briefly. Despite the late date,
it is as obsolete as the older system; it is, in fact, only the
‘Infantry Exercise’ with the addition of “pursuing practice,” and
“post practice”--the latter upon a sort of modern Quintain not made
to revolve. So far, so good. The practised swordsman has little to
learn when mounted, except the few modifications which he can teach
himself. His real study is on foot. But some of the remarks appear not
to have been written by a practical hand. For instance, we read (p.
27): “In delivering a forward thrust, very little force is necessary
when the horse is in quick motion, as the extension of the arm, with
a good direction of the point, will be fully sufficient.” “Fully
sufficient”--I should think so! The recruit must be carefully and
sedulously taught when meeting the enemy, even at a trot or canter,
to use no force whatever, otherwise his sword will bury itself to the
hilt, and the swordsman will either be dragged from his horse, or will
be compelled to drop his weapon--if he can. Upon this point I may quote
my own ‘System of Bayonet Exercise’ (p. 27):--
“The instructor must spare no pains in preventing the soldier from
using force, especially with the left or guiding arm, as too much
exertion generally causes the thrust to miss. A trifling body-stab
with the bayonet (I may add with the sword) is sufficient to disable
a man; and many a promising young soldier has lost his life by
burying his weapon so deep in the enemy’s breast that it could not
be withdrawn quickly enough to be used against a second assailant.
To prevent this happening, the point must be delivered smartly, with
but little exertion of force, more like a dart than a thrust, and
instantly afterwards the bayonet must be as smartly withdrawn.” In
fact the thrust should consist of two movements executed as nearly
simultaneously as possible; and it requires long habit, as the natural
man, especially the Englishman, is apt to push home, and to dwell upon
his slouching push.
The ‘Infantry Sword Exercise’ is nought but a snare and a delusion.
Except in pagination, it is the same as the “Revised Edition” of
1845--the only difference or revision that I can detect is the omission
of a short sentence in p. 26 of the older issue; it even retains
the General Order of Lord Hill, 23rd April, 1842. Thus “Revision”
is confined to the plates. In 1845 the figures wear the milk-pail
shako widening at the top, the frock coat and the scales; the last
edition, dated April, 1874, dons the tall modern chimney-pot, the
tightly buttoned tunic with stiff collar and, like its predecessor, the
sash and the scabbard. It is no wonder that the figures display an
exceeding _gêne_, the stiffness of pokers, as the phrase is: here we
might with profit borrow from the French or Italian artist.
I am opposed to almost every page of this unhappy _brochure_,
especially to the “Seven Cuts and Guards” of the target; to the shape
of the target--I never yet saw a man absolutely circular; to the grip
of the sword; to the position in guard; to the Guards or Parades,
especially the inside engaging guard (Carte); to the Lunge; to the
angle of the feet, and to the system of “loose practice.”
The “Cuts” will be noticed in a future page. Of the grip I may remark
that the one essential, the position of the thumb, both in attacks and
parries is, as a rule, neglected by the ‘Sword Exercise.’[1] As early
as 1828, Müller made his _point d’appui_ a grasp of the handle with
the four fingers, the thumb being stretched along the back, in order
to direct the edge, and to avoid the possibility of striking with
the “flat.” The only exception to this universal law is when doing
the “Moulinet” movements, which will be explained farther on. Some
professors, both with broadsword and small-sword, would stretch the
index, when pointing, along the right of the handle. I have objected to
this practice in the rapier and the foil: except when done to change
position for relief, it serves merely to fatigue the wrist. But the
proper use of the thumb, “_le pouce allongé sur le dos de la poignée_,”
which is troublesome at first, and which demands some study, especially
from those who have acquired bad habits, is the base of all superior
“counterpoint.”[2]
The position on guard is a debated point. Many, indeed I may say
most, of the moderns follow the rule of all the older swordsmen,
namely, reposing two-thirds of the body-weight (as in p. 19 of the
‘Exercise,’ which, however, is an exaggeration) upon the left leg. The
reasons usually given are that in this position the person is not so
much exposed; moreover, that the centre of gravity being thrown back
adds spring and impetus to the Lunge. We may remember how Cordelois
(1862) made a step towards change in his fencing-schools at Paris.
My objection to the old style is that the farther you are from your
opponent, the longer and slower will be your attack; moreover, I have
ever found, in personal practice, that it is easier and more convenient
to “sit on guard” with the weight equally distributed on both haunches
and legs. In fact, that the backward position is not natural any pair
of thighs can ascertain for itself after trying it for five minutes:
whilst the muscles of the right or forward limb are relaxed as much
as possible, those of the left are tight strung, so as to do double
work and threaten cramp. This single objection is serious enough to
counterbalance any other claims to superiority.
[Illustration: First Guard. (Prime.)
(“What to avoid.”)]
Again, there is no excuse for the guards in the ‘Exercise.’ The
“Hanging guard” (p. 18, in the older issue p. 21) is the worst that
can be imagined--a painful spectacle, a lesson of “what to avoid.” The
head ignobly cowers, and the eyes look up, in a forced and wearying
position, when the former should be held upright, and the glance should
be naturally fixed upon the opponent’s eye and blade-point; the body
is bent so as to lose our national advantage of height and strength,
and the right fore-arm in such a position is, and ever must be, clean
uncovered. Let the recruit, however strong may be his haunches, stand
a few minutes in this “Hanging guard,” and he will soon feel by his
fatigue how strange, awkward, and strained it is. The Carte or inside
Engaging Guard (pp. 19, 22), again, endangers the fore-arm. The
Tierce or outside Engaging Guard (pp. 20, 23) holds the hand too low,
and unduly shortens the arm, thus offering an undesirable amount of
exposure; it is in fact not a Guard, but a bad parry in “low Tierce.”
Worse still is the Lunge (pp. 14, 17): here the body is placed bolt
upright, instead of being easily bent, without exaggeration, to
the fore, prolonging, as every man instinctively would do at his
first attempt, the line of the left leg. The former position is not
only fatiguing and “against the grain;” also shortens the reach and
carefully places the opponent safely out of measure. Many swordsmen
still contend for the stiffly upright position in Lunge:[3] I am
disposed to consider it a mere survival of the classical and artificial
French school of arms, which aimed at opposing nature as sedulously
as the Italian, who always leans to the fore, attempted to follow her
dictates. Moreover, their arguments are founded upon the abuse, not
the use, of the inclined pose which the body naturally assumes. In
teaching the recruit it is well to see that he does not fall into the
dangerous habit of throwing the chest forward (_poitriner_) to meet his
opponent’s point; but the truth of muscular motion must be consulted.
Finally, I would note the mistake of “loose practice” with the
single-stick instead of the sabre; it probably arose from a mistaken
economy in saving swords and paddings. Single-stick is a different
weapon, a cane or light cudgel with a basket-hilt covering the back
of the hand, like the imperfect guard of the Highland Clay-more; it
is straight, not curved, and, as the rod has no edges, so in practice
every blow equally represents a cut. Single-stick has merits of its
own, but its practice is fatal to excellence with the broadsword, and
even the ‘Exercise’ seems to recognize the fact, for the _guindés_
figures are armed with officers’ Regulation swords.
[Illustration: Inside Guard--(Carte).
(Weight all thrown back.)]
Both ‘Sword Exercises’ carefully avoid naming “Tierce” and “Carte;”
preferring “right” and “left” (of the Sword) or “outside” and “inside,”
as if such mysteries were too high or too deep for our national
intelligence. I would again quote a few lines from my ‘System of
Bayonet Exercise’ (Introductory Remarks, pp. 8, 9):--
“But why, it may be asked, should the English soldier be deterred by
difficulties which every French voltigeur can master? We admire the
intelligence of our neighbours in military matters: we remark that they
are born soldiers, and that their men learn as much in four months
as ours do in six. Is not this, however, partly our own fault? In my
humble opinion we mistake the cause of their quickness, attributing
to nature the effect of art. When our system of drill is thoroughly
efficient; when the _Manual and Platoon_ is much simplified, when a
_salle d’armes_ is established in every corps, and when the bayonet
exercise becomes a recognized branch of instruction; then, I believe,
we shall find our soldiers equal in intelligence to any others.” These
words were written in 1853; in 1875 I add, “When we enlist the right
kind of recruit either by improving his condition and his prospects,
not his pay, or better, far better, by securing a superior man through
the conscription of modern Europe.” We Britons are no longer physically
divided from the total orb; nor can we afford to remain morally
insulated and isolated. The logical effect of union with the outer
world will be to make us do as the world does, and all our exceptional
institutions, such as the system of volunteer recruiting, must sooner
or later go by the board.
[Illustration: Outside Guard--(Tierce).
(A Parry not a Guard.)]
Nor is the most modern French Treatise (pp. 229–256, _Manuel de
Gymnastique et d’Escrime_, officially published by the _Ministre de la
Marine et des Colonies_; Paris, Dumaine, 1875) “_Escrime au Sabre_”
much superior to our home growth. The position of the left hand (pp.
232, 233) is bad throughout: it must slip during the Lunge and make the
play loose. The retreat of the left leg (Fig. 5, p. 235) is carried to
an extreme of caution. The body is always perpendicular in the Lunge,
whereas the same volume shows (Fig. 16, p. 20) the trunk naturally
inclining forwards. The Cuts are not double nor continuous, as they
should be. The “Hanging Guards” (pp. 240, 244, 245) are deplorable.
On the other hand, the _Manuel_ (p. 231) places the thumb along, not
around, the handle; the _moulinets_, the _enlevés_, and the _brisés_
(presently to be explained) are good stuff, and, moreover, they are
applied to the Cuts (p. 239). Finally, nothing can be better than
the advice (p. 249), “Après avoir touché, retirer vivement le sabre
en arrière en lui imprimant une direction oblique dans le sens du
tranchant, de manière à _scier_.”
Of the points or thrusts with broadsword nothing will here be said:
they belong to another order of things, and they should be studied
in the fencing school.[4] But the soldier must be taught that if his
adversary attempt a thrust, the broadsword is easily disarmed. When the
opponent comes to the position of pointing, that is, extends his blade,
a sharp glissade along its length will make the grip fly out of his
grasp. Another way of embarrassing the attack is to cut right and left
at the hand, the wrist, or the fore-arm, when the adversary begins to
present point.
General Lamoricière was a firm believer, as we all are, in the
thrust, and the French Sword Exercise for Cavalry (p. 178 _Règlement
Provisoire sur les Exercises de la Cavalerie_, officially published at
the _Ministère de la Guerre_; Paris, Dumaine, 1873) justly remarks:
“_Les coups de pointe doivent toujours être employés de préférence,
comme exigeant moins de force et ayant un résultat plus prompt, plus
certain et plus décisif_.” The reason of its confessed superiority
to the Cut is as old as the axiom, “a straight line is the shortest
way between two points.” The Thrust describes a diameter, the Cut, a
segment, of a circle and, with equal velocity, the Cut will traverse a
distance occupying some two-thirds more of time than the Thrust. The
French tactician therefore proposed to abolish the use of the edge
for cavalry, thus traversing the instinct of the man-at-arms who,
especially on horseback, loves to slash at his enemy, and who runs
far less risk of entangling his blade. But he of course advocated
a straight and tapering sword with no edge to speak of; indeed the
cuirassier’s _latte_ is still a kind of rapier, but it is rendered
useless by prodigious length and by the weight of the handle. The
modern Italian School of Sabre uses, especially in single combat, all
the _dégagements_ of the _salle d’armes_: this is thoroughly illogical;
the weapon is chosen because it is supposed to be less fatal than foil
or rapier, and yet it is so used as to become even more deadly. I
need hardly say that the weight and shape of the broadsword, together
with the positions of guard, render pointing with it awkward in the
extreme.[5]
I have now finished with the ungrateful task of criticizing, and I
proceed to propose a system which it is hoped will be as severely
criticized by others. It is only candid to state that its pretensions
are high, that it contains two distinct novelties, the Manchette System
and the Reverse or Back-cut; and, finally, that it aspires to be the
first Treatise in which the broadsword is scientifically taken in hand.
SECTION I.
PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION WITHOUT THE SWORD.
§ 1. _Preliminary._
Nothing will here be said concerning the “goose step of the sword,”
the “Balance Motions,” and the “Extension Motions,” of the official
‘Infantry Sword Exercise.’ They are essentially a part of ‘Squad and
Setting-up Drill,’ and as such they have been treated in several good
manuals, especially by Serjeant-Major S. Bertram Brown: A ‘Practical
Guide to Squad and Setting-up Drill, in accordance with the Principles
laid down in Part I., Field Exercise of the Army.’ Adapted for the use
of Recruits, Rifle Volunteers, Militia, Police Force, Schools, and
Families: Illustrated with sixty-eight figures, representing each Stick
and Club Exercise, Extension Motions, and Sword Exercise Positions.
London: Allen and Co., 1871. 2nd Edition.[6] Considered in a wider
sense they belong to the Branch of Science so thoroughly developed in
‘A Military System of Gymnastic Exercises for the Use of Instructors:
Adjutant-General’s Office, Horse Guards, 1862; Physical Education,’
_Clarendon Press Series_, Oxford, 1869; and in ‘Training in Theory and
Practice’ (London, Macmillan, 1874), by Archibald MacLaren,[7] whose
excellent code for the army, and whose influence with successive war
ministers, as some one truly said, have aided largely in introducing
that admirable training which is transforming the stiff, slow-moving
grenadier of past times into the vigorous, rapid, and enduring soldier
of the present day.
Squad drill is not likely to make a good swordsman, yet economy of
time renders it a necessity. It must be practised first without,
then with, weapons, after which those who show unusual capabilities
should be taken individually in hand by the master. The latest French
system (_Manuel, etc_.) divides the four lessons into two degrees: 1.
Preparatory Movements; moulinets and simple attacks and parries. 2.
Compound attacks and parries.
The formation of the squad is in the usual line, with open order at
arm’s length from the right or left. The men are then taught the three
positions as follows:--
[Illustration:
First Position. Second Position. Third Position.
In two movements. In two movements. In two movements.
]
§ 2. _First Position in Two Motions._
_One._--Place the hands smartly behind the back, the left grasping the
right arm just above the elbow, and the right similarly supporting the
left elbow.
_Two._--Make a _half-face right_ by pivoting smartly on both heels,
which must be kept close together; the feet at right angles; the left
pointing to the front, the face looking towards the opponent, or the
right-hand man, and the weight of the body balanced equally upon both
haunches and legs.
_Second Position in Two Motions_ (Guard).
_One._--Bend the knees gradually till they are perpendicular to the
instep, keeping the head and body erect, and both feet firm on the
ground. The instructor must be careful that the knees do not incline
inwards--a general fault.
_Two._--Advance the right foot smartly about 20 inches in front of and
in line with the right heel, and rest the whole weight of the body upon
both haunches and legs.[8]
In the second position, that of Guard for the feet, care must be taken
that the left foot remains firm on the ground, without shuffling or
turning inwards or outwards. Many swordsmen find a better balance when
the right heel is on a line with the hollow of the left foot.
_Third Position in Two Motions_ (from Guard to Lunge).
_One._--Advance the body slightly forward, and bring the right
shoulder and knee perpendicular to the point of the right foot.
_Two._--Advance the right foot smartly, about 20 inches, or double
the distance of No. 2, Second Position (Guard), taking care that the
foot does not overhang the instep; extend the left leg with a spring,
the left foot remaining true and firm, and the left knee perfectly
straight; let the shoulders expand and the body be profiled and
slightly inclined forwards, or towards the opponent.
This is the position of the legs in the Lunge, and the greatest care
must be taken to prevent the recruit learning it in a careless,
shuffling way. Above all things he must accustom himself to separate
the action into its two composing parts, otherwise the lower limbs will
often take precedence of the upper (shoulder, arm, and hand), and the
Lunge become worse than useless. When recovering guard the contrary is
the case; the left knee must be bent before the right foot is moved,
and the latter should exert a slight pressure on the ground; at the
same time the body must be drawn backwards, not jerked upwards.
These measures of Guard (20 inches) and of Lunge (40 inches) are
best fitted for average-sized men; in exceptional cases they must
be shortened or lengthened according to the stature and stride of
the recruit. The rule for guard is the measure of two foot-lengths;
the Lunge doubles that span; and the least vigorous men require the
greatest distances.
These movements must be learned, first in slow, and afterwards in quick
and in double-quick, time; the same may be said of all practice with
and without the sword. _Squad attention!_ and _Stand at Ease!_ need
hardly be explained. The recruits’ muscles soon become fatigued by the
unusual and monotonous exercise, causing them to remain too long in one
position; the easiest way to relieve them is to change front, making
the left leg stand on guard and lunge, as a left-handed fencer would
do. This double practice is as useful and recommendable in fencing and
broadsword play as in bayonet exercise: it gives additional balance
to the body, it equalizes the muscular strength of both sides, and it
makes the soldier feel that if his right arm be disabled he can still
depend upon his left.
The word _Steady_ must not be used as a command: it should be a caution
given at the completion of any part of a practice with the view of
correcting faults.
§ 3. _Attacking, Advancing, and Retiring._
_Single Attack._--Raise the right foot well off the ground and beat
smartly with the whole sole, the greatest force being upon the ball of
the foot, and the least upon the heel.
_Double Attack._--The same movement made twice. The instructor
should carefully avoid the directions of the ‘Infantry Sword
Exercise,’--_first with the heel, then with the flat of the foot_.
Nothing jars the leg more than this use of the heel; it is a bad habit
to use it for anything but “pivoting.”
_Advance._--Smartly advance the right foot about six inches and bring
up the left as nearly as possible to the same distance. The soles must
just clear the ground, and the toes be kept on a straight line with
the knee, and never turned inside or outside. Neglect of the latter
precaution leads to a loose, unsteady, and slovenly style which, easily
learnt, is hardly to be unlearnt.
_Single Attack._--As before.
_Retire._--Move the left foot lightly to the rear about six inches,
and let the right foot follow it. Recruits are uncommonly apt to
“step short,” and this can be remedied only by making them retire for
considerable distances. The weight and balance of the body must be
equally distributed on both haunches and legs, not resting upon the
left, which can serve only to give cramp.
_Double Attack._--As before.
_Front._--Resume the position of “Attention.”