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 ""V

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J
 CAVALRY

SWORD EXERCISE.

BY

GEORGE GREENWOOD.

LONDON :
PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS,
14, CHARING CROSS.

1840.
H
 TO THE

RIGHT HON. GENERAL LORD HILL,

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF HER MAJESTY'S FORCES.

My Lord,
The insignificance of the subject of the
following treatise has prevented my soliciting the
honour of inscribing it to your Lordship. But I
take the liberty to do so without your Lordship's
permission, because I seize with delight the oppor
tunity of testifying the esteem and attachment to
your Lordship which no one who has had the
happiness to serve as long as I have under your
Lordship is without.
 The idea that a Cavalry Sword Exercise when
decomposed, may be resolved into Quarte and
Tierce solely, occurred to me when on the Board
of cavalry officers, assembled by your Lordship's
order last year, for the revision, simplification, and
curtailment of the Sword Exercise, as detailed in
Chapter IV. of the Regulations for the Cavalry.
I mentioned the idea on the last day that the
Board sat last year, and it was by the direction of
the president that I detailed the following Sword
Exercise. I forwarded it to the president. But as
the Board had already detailed their excellent
Sword Exercise, and did not again assemble that
year, it was not laid before them till last month,
when the Board again assembled to consider the
Reports of the fourteen cavalry regiments which had
been ordered to practise their proposed revision.
These circumstances will, I trust, excuse and
account for my now publishing a mode of explaining
a Cavalry Sword Exercise, which I thifik would
make a man acquainted with the true principles
of cutting, guarding, pointing, and parrying, all
round himself and horse, the moment he has
learned two cuts, two guards, two points, and two
parries.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
George Greenwood.

Brookwood Park, Alton, Hampshire,

^~April, 1840.
i
 THEORY OF THE SWORD EXERCISE.

Quarte and Tierce form the base on which the

following sword exercise is built. For the expla
nation of a cavalry sword exercise, it is conceived
sufficient, if the hand is considered as having but
these two positions. First quarte, or, as anatomists
would call it, in supination, with the back of the
hand out of sight. Second tierce—in pronation—
with the back of the hand in sight. I prefer this
definition to the edge to the left or to the right ; or
to the nails up or down ; because in the points, and
the horizontal guards, the edge is neither to the left,
nor to the right ; and in the parries it is reversed ;
and in the horizontal or vertical guards, or in the
vertical cuts, or parries, the nails are neither up
nor down. It is a mistake to suppose that the
hand is changed from one position to the other by
a turn in the wrist; or that the wrist has any
rotatory motion at all. Its action is simply bend
ing and extending; which is communicated to it
by the flexor and extensor muscles. The hand is
changed from one position to the other in two
ways, by two systems of muscles, and by two
b3
 10

joints. First, by the rotatory muscles of the fore

arm—the pronators and supinators—acting on the
two bones of the fore-arm, causing them to cross
backwards and forwards, over one another, and
their ends partially to rotate in the elbow joint.
Second, by the pectoral, deltoid, and scapular
muscles acting on the bone of the upper arm,
turning the elbow upward and outward, or down
ward and inward, and thus causing the bone of the
arm partially to rotate in the socket of the
shoulder. Without these two turns, made by
these two systems of muscles and joints, continuous
circles, with the same edge leading, cannot be
made. In cuts, the middle knuckle of the little
finger should lead. As a general definition, a
proper cut may be called a semicircular sweep
with the hand in first or second, and at the end of
the semicircle which is opposite to that where the
cut properly commences, the hand, of necessity,
must stop, and may or may not be turned by the
rotatory muscles of the fore-arm, into the opposite
position. But if, to this turn of the fore-arm, the
turn of the upper arm is added, the hand is
changed into its original position again. For
instance, from first to second, and into first again.
This necessity of changing the hand at the turning
point into the opposite position, before the circle
can be continued in the original position, causes
 11

the propriety and facility of cutting alternate semi

circles, backward and forward, in first and second.
Indeed, if the cut is dealt, as far as the actual
turning point, with any force, and it is attempted
to stop the impact of the sword by pressure, that is,
without turning the hand into the contrary position,
a violent strain will be occasioned to the hand and
arm of the swordsman, the fingers will probably
be forced, and the sword fly from the hand. By
turning the hand into the contrary position, the
sword is allowed to continue its range, after advan
tage has been taken of the utmost sweep through
which it can be carried with the same edge
leading ; its impact is stopped by degrees, and by
tension, not by pressure. But if, instead of the
return cut in the opposite position and direction,
the second turn is given to the hand, by the rota
tion of the arm in the socket of the shoulder, con
tinuous circles may be made, with the same edge
of the sword leading ; though the semicircle, from
the turning to the opposite point, cannot be called
a cut, the semicircle from the opposite towards the
turning point alone bearing that character.
To exercise and strengthen the muscles of the
hand, wrist, and fore-arm, the practice of small
circles, or the converse of the French moulinet, is
recommended. In the French moulinets, and parry
against infantry, the hand is reversed ; that is,
 12

instead of the middle knuckle of the little finger.

the reverse part of the hand leads. This may
form a very good practice for cutting with a reap
ing-hook, or pruning-knife, where the cut is pulled
towards you ; but is very senseless and unswords-
manlike as a practice for a sword, where the cut is
struck from you. The moulinet on the right is
reversed first, that is, the hand in first is passed
from left to right, instead of from right to left. The
moulinet to the rear, that on the left, and the parry
against infantry on the right and left, are reversed
second ; that is, the hand in second is passed from
right to left, instead of from left to right. To
strengthen the wrists is good, but to strengthen
them in vicious habits is bad. Instead of this, let
the arm be stretched to the right or left front, the
hand the height of the eyes, and continuous small
circles, as vertical as possible, be made in first,
and also in second, the hand as much as possible
the centre, the sword the radius of the circle, the
middle knuckle of the little finger, and conse
quently the edge of the sword leading. Also, with
the hand in the same position, cuts in first and
second should be given as vertical as possible,
upward and downward. On the right front, the cut
in first will be upward, in second downward. For,
in small circles, the turning point on the right in
first will be above, in second below; and, vice
 13

versa, on the left. Cuts from the fore-arm alone

range only a quarter of a circle, or ninety degrees,
before they come to the turning point. The sword
then ranges ninety degrees more, while in the act,
of turning, or with the back leading.
In these practices impact is to be given to the sword
as much as possible by the exertion of the muscles
of the hand, wrist, and fore-arm only. To exercise
and develop the pectoral, deltoid, and scapular
muscles, large circles in first and in second should
be described, horizontal, oblique on the right and
left, and as vertical as possible on the right and
left; the socket of the shoulder the centre, the
sword and arm conjointly the radius of the circle.
In large horizontal circles, the turning point in first
is directly on the left, in second directly on the right.
In large oblique and vertical circles on the right,
the turning point in first is to the front, in second
to the rear ; in both at the horizontal diameter of
the circle. Vice versa on- the left. In all cases
the commencing point of the cut is opposite to the
turning point, and in all cases the turns, whether
single or double, should be made with the utmost
possible quickness.
In regard to the cuts—in the following sword
exercise the object has been to practise the
swordsman to cut in first and in second on all
sides, and in all directions. The vertical cut
 14

downward to the front is omitted, because it cannot

be practised except in earnest ; that is, without an
opposing substance to meet, and to stop the way of
the sword. The two cuts practised directly to the
right and left against cavalry and against infantry
give an assault of eight cuts ; but by calling for these
cuts to the front or to the rear, to the right or left
front, or to the right or left rear, against cavalry,
or against infantry, an infinite variety of practice
may be obtained ; while at the same time the recruit
has alone to learn, and his memory is alone bur-
thened with two cuts. A target and Mr. Angelo's
elaborate and excellent mode of teaching are neces
sary for an infantry sword exercise, and stick drill
on foot ; but they are wholly and worse than useless
for a sword exercise, which is purely cavalry. For,
after having learnt before the target to the front six
cuts, the whole are to be learnt anew when applied
by the cavalrist on the right and left. In fact, cuts
one, two, three, four, in Mr. Angelo's sword exer
cise, and in the revised instructions for Chapter IV.,
are perfectly distinct from those cuts as taught by
the target to the front. For instance, on the target
to the front, cut one is an oblique cut downward in
first ; cut two is an oblique cut downward in second ,
cut. three is an oblique cut upward in first ; cut four
is an oblique cut upward in second ; cut five is an
horizontal cut in first ; and cut six is an horizontal
cut in second. But when cuts one, two, three, four
 15

are to be made by the cavalrist on the right and

left, they are no longer cut solely obliquely down
ward, or solely obliquely upward, but each is cut both
obliquely downward and obliquelyupward.and each
consists and is compounded of two infantry or target
cuts, of which it is as much one as the other. Thus
the first quarter circle of the cavalry cut one is the
one, the last quarter circle the three, of the target ;
the first quarter circle of the cavalry cut two is the
two, the last quarter circle the four, of the target. In
like manner the cavalry cut three begins with the
one, and ends with the three, of the target. The
cavalry cut four begins with the two, and ends with
the four, of the target. And a cavalry cut one on
the right would be the same as the cavalry cut three
on the right. And a cavalry cut two on the left
would be the same as the cavalry cut four on the
left. And a cavalry cut three on the left would be
the same as the cavalry cut one on the left. And a
cavalry cut four on the right would be the same as
the cavalry cut two on the right. Nor can the
disagreement between the infantry or target cuts to
the front, and the cavalry cuts on the right and
left, be avoided ; for the target or infantry cut one,
if given on the right, without an opposing object to
stop it, would strike the horse in front of the saddle ;
if given on the left, behind the saddle. The target
or infantry cut two, if given on the right, would
strike the horse behind the saddle ; and if given on
 16

the left, before the saddle. The target or infantry

cut three and cut four could not even be prepared
for, either on the right or left, when mounted.
Hence the four first cuts in the cavalry sword exer
cise have of necessity become, like the five and six of
the target, simply semicircular cuts in first and
second, but delivered against infantry, not against
cavalry; that is, cut obliquely, not horizontally;
and they are much more easily taught to the recruit
on that principle. With regard to the cuts five and
six in the cavalry sword exercise, it is a great error
to practise one only on each side ; both should be
practised on either side ; that is, the swordsman
should be taught on either side and on all sides to
cut against cavalry, as well as against infantry, both
in first and second.
In reference to the Guards—of those of Mr.
Angelo, and the revised instructions for Chapter IV.,
the first and third are in first ; the second, fourth,
fifth, sixth, and Mr. Angelo's seventh, are in second.
All guards must be in first or second, and the edge
of the blade of the sword should meet the sword of
the assailant at right angles ; and the position in
which the swordsman's hand happens to be engaged,
and the position and cut of the assailant, must de
termine whether the guard in first or second must
be formed with the blade of the sword vertical, and
with the point upward or downward, or whether
 17

either guard must be formed with the blade of the

sword pointed obliquely upward or obliquely down
ward, or in either case their degree of obliquity, or
whether the guard in first or second must be formed
with the blade horizontal. If the assailant's cut is
horizontal, the guard in first or second must be
vertical, with the point upward or downward. If
the cut is obliquely upward or downward, the guard
in first or second must point obliquely upward or
downward ; and if the cut is vertically downward,
the guard in first or second must be horizontal.
Horizontal and hanging first is most appropriate on
the right, or right rear, and horizontal and hanging
second on the left, or left rear. These principles
should be instilled into the recruit ; but it is con
sidered sufficient if, in the sword exercise, the guards
in first and second against cavalry, that is, pointing
obliquely upward, and in first and second against
infantry, that is, pointing obliquely downward, are
shown on both sides.
In regard to the points—the swordsman must,
in general, be determined in his choice between
the point in first, and in second, by the position
in which his hand happens to be engaged with his
adversary. Therefore either of these points may
be necessary on either side, in any direction ; they
should, consequently, like the cuts, be practised
on either side, and in all directions. Where the
swordsman has the power of choice, points in first
 18

will be found most convenient on the right, and par

ticularly on the right rear ; points in second on the
left, and left rear. In the points, the thumb should
be along the back of the hilt ; in all other positions
it should be lapped round the hilt, in the contrary
direction to the fingers.
The parries are intended chiefly against the bay
onet, pike, or lance. They are made, both in first
and second, on both sides. In the English sword
exercise the soldier is taught to parry, on both sides,
invariably to the front ; that is, on the right side in
first and on the left side in second, and by what is
called a turn of the wrist only ; that is, the parry is,
as much as possible, a small vertical circle, of which
the hand is the centre. But in the post practice,
when it is required to parry the arms on either side
to the rear, two different parries must be used, which
have never been taught to the soldier. But besides
that any parry made by the hand and fore-arm only
is weak and impotent against a heavy two-handed
weapon, it is impossible, in the nature of things, to
make it thus, to the rear, at all ; for in small circles,
the turning point on the right in second, and on the
left in first, being below, the turning, or weakest
points of these parries would coincide with the
parrying points. All parries should be made on the
principle of the large circle ; and the elbow should
be bent and kept up, in proportion as the point to
be parried is high. But however high, or how much
 19

bent soever the elbow, and consequently the radius,

may be, the centre or axis- of the circle should be
the shoulder, not the hand. The French soldier is
taught to parry invariably in first, or rather in re
versed second ; that is, on the right side to the front,
on the left side to the rear. The swordsman, how
ever, should have the power of throwing the point of
the weapons, which have been named above, on
either side, either to the front or rear ; for, according
to the direction from which the point comes at the
swordsman, or at any particular part of his horse,
and according as the swordsman and his assailant
may, one or both, be in transitu as regards each
other, one parry would tend to clear, while the other
would tend to draw, the assailant's point on to the
swordsman, or on to some part of his horse. Parries
should be made with the back of the sword. The
sword should be previously turned in the hand as
far as possible ; that is, till the guard touches the
back of the hand. The stirrup hilt is the best for
this purpose. The parry should then be made on
the same principle as a cut, with the middle knuckle
of the little finger, and consequently the back of the
sword leading.
Mr. Angelo's " Engage," and his " Left Guard,"
are omitted, as useless ; and Mr. Angelo's " Right
Guard" is called " Engage." If the Right and Left
Guard were to be retained, they should be called
 20

Right and Left Engage. In a single combat between

two mounted swordsmen, the object of either should
be to gain the other's left rear ; and when circling
to the right for this purpose, the " Right Guard,"
or, as it is here termed, the " Engage," is meant to
show the mode in which the adversary's sword is
to be engaged ; when circling to the left, the adver
sary's sword is meant to be engaged in the position
of " Left Guard." But these two positions are not
to be mistaken for Guards, and therefore should not
be called Guards. But the right-handed swords
man could not engage his adversary's sword on the
left, unless they were so near each other as to pre
clude the possibility of circling at all. Even
swordsmen who have never been practised to use
the sword with the left hand, should, and must, do
so when their adversaries are on the left.
The sword exercise, taught on the principle of
Quarte and Tierce, is infinitely curtailed and sim
plified ; for it is merely the practice of two cuts, two
guards, two points, and two parries, that is, of first
and second, on all sides and in all directions. How
much muscular practice will be necessary to bring
a recruit to perfection will depend much on his
strength, and his tact in applying his strength.
But with regard to the memory—to the mental
education necessary—the whole might be acquired
in an hour. Certainly the acquirement of it with
 21

both hands would not need a tenth part of the

time which is now required to accomplish one hand.
Indeed it might be acquired with both hands in
nearly the same time as with one ; for the change
of arms would be comparative repose ; and much
time which is now spent in resting the right arm,
might be employed in practising the left. To enable
the horseman to use either hand for the sword or
for the bridle, or to shift their duties at his option,
a short rein should be used ; that is, the slide or
runner should be passed down, or the rein should
be buckled or knotted short.
This is the principle on which Eastern horse
manship, and the extraordinary facility which the
Eastern horseman has of using his weapons, mainly
depends. He casts the rein down, uses both hjands
to the carbine or lance ; or while one hand grasps
the saddle, with the other he has much greater
power to wield his weapon. He can reach infi
nitely farther, or even pick a weapon from the
ground at full gallop. A short rein in a mortal
struggle should be considered essential ; the wea
pon may be shifted to either hand, while the rein
is instantly resumed with the other, in the mode
to be used most powerfully, without requiring
any adjustment. Nor can the horse, if wounded,
or wild with his head, draw the reins through the
hands, and so require the use of the sword hand to
 22

adjust them : this would be fatal if the sword were

engaged with an adversary. In fact, no soldier
should go out to skirmish, or to a single combat,
without a short rein. The ambidextrous swords
man would have an infinite advantage on his left
side ; that is, should he be so fortunate as to gain
his adversary's right rear, or so unfortunate as to
let his adversary gain his left rear. Should he
gain the lancer's right rear, which is his weak point,
he could avail himself of that advantage ; at pre
sent he cannot ; for the right-handed swordsman is
as impotent in attack on his left front, as the lancer
is in defence on his right rear. The post practices,
both the right and the left practices, should be per
formed with both the right and the left hand. They
are the best possible practices for horsemanship as
well as for swordsmanship ; the best possible prac
tices for uniting the two; and the best possible
proof of how far the cavalry soldier has advanced
in either, or in uniting both. The arms should be
turned in, and the swordsman made to commence
by attacking the post, instead of defending himself.
This should be a frequent practice, and should also
be performed at a gallop. When the arms are to
be first parried, the pace should never exceed a col
lected canter.
Independent mounted practice is not recom
mended. The use of a light stick without an edge,
 23

is no practice for cutting with a true edge, with a

heavy sword. The horseman is forgotten in the
over anxiety of the swordsman ; and infinite mis
chief accrues to the horse from the consequent exi
gence and false indications of the rider ; but what
makes it useless, and much worse than useless, as
a practice for real earnest, is the impunity from
the weapon which must be accorded to the horse.
This vitiates the practice totally; it induces evil
habits, errors of commission and omission through
out; that is, it habituates the swordsman to place
his own horse in jeopardy, and prevents his taking
advantage of such a gross blunder in his adversary.
In earnest, a principal object should be to wound
and make your adversary's horse wild. The
slightest touch on his head would ensure your gain
ing his rear.
In regard to the formation of the regiment for
sword exercise—when mounted in the field, the
rights of threes of the front rank must of necessity
take their distances from the centres of squadrons.
To prove distance from the right, therefore, is false
in principle, and would induce the conforming to
errors, not the remedying them : it would subject
the whole regiment, even the leading points of
squadrons, and of the squadron of direction, to the
accidental errors of any and every individual on,
their right. To prove distance from the centres of
 24

squadrons is impossible, unless the men of the right

troops look one way and point their swords another,
or unless they take their swords in the left hand.
In practice, proving distance is not needed. The
rights of threes of the front rank have only to keep
their usual distance from the centres of squadrons,
and all others to cover. The forming the regiment
for sword exercise on foot, on this principle, was
the idea of Mr. Sherwin, Adjutant 2nd Life
Guards. The delineation of the post practices on
foot, on the left as well as on the right, was the idea
of Mr. King, the riding master of that Regiment.
In reference to saluting—the object has been to
make the time in all cases invariable, and always
taken from the senior officer. This has been ac
complished, except in drawing swords for a salute,
when the time to come to the Recover is taken from
the flugelman, if this can be considered an excep
tion. The time for the remainder of the salute is
taken from the senior officer.
The sword-knot should in general be wasted by
being bound round the guard of the sword. When
used, it should be attached to the wrist by a slide
or runner; or, being a simple loop, it should be
doubled on itself, and should grasp the wrist like a
slip-knot. When the sword is suspended from the
wrist by the sword-knot, it soon untwists the
" couple of turns inwards," by which it is at pre
 25

sent directed to be secured. The sword-knot should

only be used when the skirmisher must be prepared
to repel a sudden attack, with the power of in
stantly recurring to the use of his fire-arms, instead
of waiting till he has returned his sword; or to
give him the power of firing a shot at his pursuing
adversary, and, if that misses, to be instantly on
the defensive with his sword.
It may be observed, that when the carbine is
properly attached to the person, so that it can be
used with the right hand or left, or cast down to
resume the sword, it is a much better weapon, even
of defence, than a pistol. In presenting to the right,
take the reins in the right hand, and use the car
bine left handed ; or put the runner down, drop the
reins, and use both hands to the carbine—right
handed in presenting to the left, left landed in pre
senting to the right. In presenting to the rear, by
the right, let the right arm—by the left, let the left
arm—be stretched to the full extent, so as to bring
the hand close to the muzzle of the carbine. A
carbine may be used thus at full speed, with as
much ease and with infinitely more certainty than a
pistol, and by a cuirassier as well as by any other
horseman. In firing directly to the front, the cui
rassier cannot bring the carbine butt to the hollow
of the shoulder ; in other directions, the butt should
rest against the arm by keeping the elbow up ; and
the cuirassier's arm is as free, and by this mode he
can use the carbine with as much facility, as any
other horseman. The discharged carbine is dropped,
and the sword resumed ; the pistol is thrown away,
or life is risked in returning it.
Many of the foregoing observations apply to the
horseman only ; for, on foot, the soldier will use the
carbine only to the left front, the sword only to the
right front—that is, whether with the carbine or the
sword, he will face to that front which will give him
the greatest power and liberty in the use of them.
The horseman, when freedom of choice is left him,
will of course do the same ; but he must of neces
sity acquire as much facility as possible in the use
of either weapon, on all sides, and in all directions.
 SWORD EXERCISE.

Introductory Remarks.
The Sword Exercise consists of two cuts, two
guards, two points, and two parries. The first of
each is with the back of the hand out of sight ; the
second of each with the back of the hand in sight.
The cuts, points, and guards against infantry are
given with the point of the sword low, and the body
must be stooped and bent over for that purpose.
Against an adversary, the cuts or modifications
of them may be given in a direction diverging at
any angle from the horizontal to the vertical cut,
upward or downward ; but in the sword exercise,
they are only shown, whether against cavalry or
infantry, in the direction in which a full semi
circular sweep can be given to them. The two
guards, or modifications of them, whether against
cavalry or infantry, may be formed high or low—
in fact, in the position required to meet the cut or
point of the adversary. In like manner the points
and parries would be prepared for and delivered in
various positions.
c 2
 28

Drawing and Returning Swords, &c.

Draw Swords.—Bring the hand smartly across
the body (over the bridle arm, if mounted, or at
the " Prepare for Sword Exercise"), grasp the
handle, turn the edge to the rear (to prevent dim
ming the edge by drawing it against the scabbard),
and raise the hand to the height of the elbow, the
arm being close to the body. Two.—Draw the
sword with the edge to the rear, the arm being car
ried up to its full extent, and sink the hand again
until, the hilt is under the chin, the blade perpen
dicular, the edge to the left, and the elbow close to
the body—which is the position of " Recover
Swords." Three.—Bring the hand down so that
the little finger may be on a level with the elbow,
the arm lightly touching the side, the edge turned
a very little to the left, the hand as near the bridle-
hand as possible, without displacing it or interfering
with its action—which is the position of " Carry
Swords."
Slope Swords.—Loosen the grasp of the handle,
and let the back of the sword fall on the shoulder,
the arm remaining in the previous position, but the
wrist a little bent upward. When on foot, at the
word " Stand at ease," bring the hands together
near the centre of the body, the left under the
pommel of the sword ; the body as prescribed by
regulation.
 29

Attention— Carry Swords—Return Swords.—

Carry the hilt to the hollow of the left shoulder,
the blade perpendicular, the edge to the left ; drop
the point to the rear, engage it in the scabbard till
the hand and elbow are in a line with each other,
and square across the body, the edge to the rear.
Two.—Let. the sword fall from the hand. Three.
—Withdraw the hand smartly.

Sword Exercise.
In performing the Sword Exercise, whether
mounted or dismounted, each man should have
about three yards from his nearest neighbour,
The recruit or squad, being dismounted and at
" Attention," will, on the word " Prepare for
Sword Exercise," move the right foot about
eighteen inches to the right, and bring the bridle-
hand to its position, when mounted. At the last
motion of the " Return Swords," the position of
" Attention" is resumed.
The swords being at the " Carry," the caution is
given Sword Exercise.
Engage.—Place the hand to the right, the height
of the elbow, which must be bent, the back of the
hand in sight, the blade of the sword pointing
obliquely upward, the point a very little to the
front, the edge to the rear.
On the Right against Cavalry.—First Cut.—
 30

Turn the body as much as possible to the right, lay

the sword on the right shoulder, the back of it
touching the back of the neck, the elbow bent, the
hand as high as the shoulder. First.—Cut with a
full semicircular sweep from right to left, and re
sume the same preparatory position, from whence
the cut may be called for again as often as the in
structor thinks fit; and in like manner the cuts,
points, and parries throughout may be repeated at
his will.
Second Cut.—Lay the sword on the left shoulder,
the back of it touching the neck, the elbow bent,
the hand as high as the shoulder. Second.—Cut
with a full semicircular sweep from left to right.
On the left against Cavalry. _,.
On the right against Infantry. \ ,t
On the left against Infantry. J _. ,
When acting on the right, the body is to be
turned to the right ; when acting on the left, the
body is to be turned to the left ; and, in both cases,
when acting against infantry, the body is to be
bent downward, except in the parries.
On the right against Cavalry.—First Point.—
Place the pommel of the sword in front of the pit
of the stomach, the wrist touching the right breast,
the Jhumb along the back of the hilt; the edge
upward, the blade nearly at right angles to the
 31

body, but the point a little raised. First.—Give

point to the full extent of the arm, which is to be
at right angles with the body.
Second Point.—Place the hand close to the right
ear, the thumb along the back of the hilt, the
sword at right angles with the body, the edge
upward. Second.—Give the point to the full ex
tent of the arm, at right angles with the body.
n , , <• -si i f First Point.
On the left against Cavalry. „.
On the right against Infantry. < ,
„ , .° 6. . i " ] Second Point.
On the left against Infantry.
Second.
On the right against Cavalry. First Guard.—
Place the hand at the same height as the elbow,
just outside the left side of the body, the edge of
the sword to the left, the point forward, and up
ward, and as much to the right as will bring it in
front of the body.
Second.—Place the hand at the same height as
the elbow, just outside and near the right side of
the body, the edge of the sword to the right, the
point forward and upward, and as much to the left
as will bring it in front of the body.
On the left against Cavalry. 1
On the right against Infantry. \
On the left against Infantry. I "
On the Right. First Parry.—Place the hand ,
 32

to the right rear, a little higher than the shoulder,

the elbow a little bent, the sword upright, and
turned in the hand till the guard touches the back
of the hand. First.—With a circular movement
of the hand and arm, make a semicircular sweep
downward, and upward again till the hand is to
the right front, higher than the shoulder, the back
of the sword leading.
Second Parry.—Place the hand to the right
front, a little higher than the shoulder, the elbow a
little bent, the sword upright, and turned in the
hand till the guard touches the back of the hand.
Second.—With a circular movement of the hand
and arm, make a semicircular vertical sweep down
ward, and upward again till the hand is to the
right rear, higher than the shoulder, the back of
ihe sword leading.
On the heft. First Parry.— Prepare with the
hand to the left front, and a little higher than the
shoulder. First. Second Parry.—Prepare with
the hand to the left rear. Second.—The directions
for the parries on the right apply to those on the
left, changing the words right and left, and the
words front and rear, one for the other. Carry
Swords.
For practice, the two cuts and points, or com
binations of them, may be called for against
cavalry to the front or rear, and against cavalry
 33

or infantry to the right or left front, and the right

or left rear; thus: — On the Right against In
fantry. First and Second Cut, and First Point.
Prepare.—Prepare for first cut. First.—Make
the first cut, and prepare for the second. Second.
—Make the second cut, and prepare for the first
point. Point.—Point, and again prepare for the
first cut. In like manner the guards and parries
may be called for anywhere at the will of the
instructor.
The sword exercise is now gone through by the
following words. Sword Exercise. Engage.—Come
to the position of engage. Prepare.—Prepare for the
first cut on the right against cavalry. First.—Make
the first cut, and prepare for the second. In like
manner, after each cut, point, or parry, prepare for
that which succeeds it; but after each guard wait for
the word to form that which succeeds it; and after
the second guard on the left against infantry, pre
pare for the first parry on the right, without wait
ing for the word. After the second parry on the
left, come to the " Carry Swords." Second.—These
words are given four times for the cuts ; four times
for the points ; four times for the guards, except the
first; and twice for the parries.
The first division is then gone through by the
following words. First Division, prepare.—Pre
pare for the first cut on the right against cavalry.
c 3
 34

First.—Make the first cut, and prepare for first

point. Point.—Point and prepare for the se
cond cut. Second. Point.—These words are given
four times, and the cuts are made as in the sword
exercise, each followed by its proper point, in the
same direction. After the second point against in
fantry on the left, return to the " Carry Swords."
Second Division.—The words are the same as
for the first division, but each cut is followed by its
proper point on the contrary side.
When the sword exercise is performed by flugel-
men, they will be placed one on the right front,
the other on the left front, and the time will be
taken from each as follows :—

Sword Exer ise.

Carry Swords ..... Right

Engage . . Right
Prepare . Right
First r Right.
Second Right.
First Left.
Second
>Cuts . . . .< Left.
First Right.
Second Right.
First Left.
Second Left.
 35

First r Right.
Second Right.
First Right and Left
Second *Points . . . .^ Left.
First Left and Right.
Second , Right.
First Right and Left
Second Left.
First f Left and Right
Second Right.
First Right and Left
Second Left.
>Guards . . .«; Left and Right
First
Second Right.
First Right and Left
Second LLeft.
First Left and Right
Second Right.
First y,Farries . . m Right and Left
Second 1 Left.
. Left.
Carry Swords .

First Division.
Prepare . . Right
First . Right
Point . Right
Second . Right
Point . Right
First Right and Left
Point . Left.
 36
Second . Left.
Point . Left-
First . , . Left and Right
Point . Right
Second . Right
Point . Right.
First Right and Left.
Point . Left.
Second . Left.
Point . Left.
Carry Swords . . Left.
Second 1division.
Prepare . . Right.
First . Right.
Point . Left.
Second Left and Right.
Point . Left.
First . Left.
Point . Right.
Second Right and Left.
Point . Right.
First . Right.
*
Point . Left.
Second Left and Right.
Point . Left.
First Left.
Point • Right.
 37

Second .... Right and Left.

Point ...... Right.
Carry Swords ..... Right.
Slope Swords ..... Right.
When swords are already drawn, and are at the
slope, previously to performing the sword exercise
by flugelmen, they are brought to the carry with
the right flugelman; after the second division is
finished, swords are sloped with the same flugel
man.
Post Practice.
To teach the post practice on foot, squads will
be formed in two ranks, the ranks at three, the
files at six yards apart. The standing men will
represent the posts. The squad being at " Atten
tion," and swords carried, the word is given,
Right face. The whole face to the right.
Right Practices, First Practice, March.—The
front rank are the moving, the rear rank the
standing men. Each front rank man circles to
his right round his rear rank man ; the first prac
tice is gone through, and the front rank men return
to their places.
The remaining five practices are consecutively
gone through in like manner.
Left Practices, Sixth Practice, March. —The
rear rank are the moving, the front rank the
 38

standing men. Each rear rank man circles to his

left round his front rank man, the sixth practice is
gone through, and the rear rank men return to
their places.
The remaining five practices are consecutively
gone through in like manner.
The whole are then faced about. The front rank
become the moving men, and perform the left
practices from the sixth to the first. After which
the rear rank become the moving men, and per
form the right practices from the first to the
sixth.
The post practices are as follows :—
 to

at by
second
body,
for
point,
the
Prepare sword
the
let
and
point,
pass at by
point,
first
body,
the
for
Prepare sword
the
let
and
point,
pass ata the
second
Prepare
low
point,
for
the body,
and
sword
point,
let
pass cut sword
the
neck,
second
for
Prepare
at and
the
let
give
cut,
pass first
the
for
givethe
Prepare
face,
at
cut andsword
the
let
by
cut,
pass

by
lefst
the
tocarry.
rear left
the
by
tocarry.
rear
STANDING
MAN.
the
right
to
carry.
rear the
right
to
carry.
rear
the
left
to
carry.
rear

let
and
body,
point
second
give
the
at theright
sword
by
to
rearpass to body,
let
tind
point,
first
give
the
at right
the
sword
by
torearpass second
for
Prepare
parry, let
body,
sword
the
point
and
at onent's the
second
give
torear; of
at
cut
Incline
first
second,
by
defend
guard,
to Incline
first,
by
defend
guard,
second Incline
by
first
defend
guard,
second,
to the con by
and
neck
give
first
at
cut sword
tinuing
the
ofsweep by
defend
first,
Incline
second
guard,
to the raise sword
lower
and
hand
point, has
ountil
passed
p your back
the
let
and
neck
sword
the
right
by
tocarry.
pass
rear the
by
right
tocarry.
pass
rear

MAN.
MOVING
the
front
to
carry.

thecarry. thecarry.

PRight
ractices. Second
practice. Fourth
practice.
pricctice.
First Third
practice. practice.
Fifth

March. March. March. March. March.

 o

aparry, body,
for
Prepare
point,
second
low
the
at the
let
and
point,
first
sword
make
atpass
cut ata body,
for
Prepare
point,
second
the
low the
let
and
point,
swordpass at the
for
Prepare
second
the
face,
cut, let
and
sword
give
cut,
pass at give
Prepare
first
the
for
neck,
cut, the
and
sword
let
cut,
pass a body,
for
Prepare
low
point,
second
the
at and
point,
sword
the
let
pass

the
by
right
tocarry.
rear the
by
right
to
rearcarry.
sword
left
the
by
of
cto
orearparry,
nsweep
tinue, by
left
the
to
carry.
rear
SMOVING
MAN.
TMAN.
ANDING MAN.
STANDING the
by
right
tocarry.

back
the
first
of
give
and
at of
cut neck,
the
consweep
tinuing parry, gixe
first
the
point,
let
body,
at by
for
Prepare
first
the
and atcon sword
parry, body,
second
give
the
cut by
the
of
tinuing
sweep to the
by
Incline
defend
second,
guard,
first lower
and
hand
point,
raise Incline
by
defend
guard,
second
first,
to the at of
and
neck,
second
give
cut by
sword
the
consweep
tinuing Prepare
for
first
the
and sword
left
the
tocarry.
rearpass
the
sword
left
by
tocarry.
rear

front
the
right
to
carry.
MAN.
MOVING
front
left
the
to
carry. front
the
tocarry.

Practices.
Right Fourth
practice.
Sixth
practice. Left
Practices. Sixth
practice. Fifth
practice. Third
practice-

March. March. March. March. March.

 at by
body,
Second
the
point,
Incline
Prepare
second
practice.
first
semnd,
by
for
defend
guard,
to the
sword
March.
body,
and
point,
let
second
give
at
pass ic tice.by
body,
defend
the
pfirst,
First
Incline
guard,
second
by
point,
fir,
for
Prepare
at
rto body,
the
March.
sword
first
let
and
point,
give
at
pass ifthe
pand
of
drill
To
is
practice
nacesorteifonernloucisrtumnaierotsence, The
will
which
detail,
following
for
guide
of
whole
in
pshown
the
raserve
asactices. within
opposed
placed
be
each
left
according
will
other,
right
the
front,
to
mmenoreasure,
on
by
Defend
Two.
and
guard,
second
parried,
When
first
for
cut.
prepare

Receive
One.
second
Give
and
point
steady.
remain
point.
PLeft
raman.
sctmman.
aoinvcdeinsg. PRight
racman.
smtoiavncidensg.
mn.
Prepare.
Incline
first
second
for
Prepare
guard.
point.
to
the
left
sword
by
right
to
rear
carry.
pass
let
left
the
sword
by
to
carry.
rearpass

Three.
Give
and
point,
the
Receive
opposite
point.
toop-
up
move Come
Four.
the
to
carry.

for
point.
second
ponent's
right.

thecarry.
carry.
the
required.
practice

First,
 42

The moving man, when showing the opening by

inclining to either guard or parry, should throw
back the shoulder nearest to the standing man, to
induce him to point or cut.
The standing man in all practices (except the
fifth in the right practice) should, after being
parried, prepare for the first cut. In the fifth right
practice, he should prepare for the second cut.
This will enable the instructor to see that the return
point or cut is delivered truly, and that each man
comes in the proper manner to the carry.
For the formation for mounted post practice in
the riding school see plates 16 and 17, Military
Equitation.
The posts are numbered from 1 to 6, to cor
respond with the numbers of the practices.

Officer's Salute.
The salute is in four motions. One.—From the
carry, raise the hand to the height of the shoulder,
by extending the arm with a circular motion to the
right front. Two.—Continuing the circular motion
bring the sword to the recover. Three.—Con
tinuing the motion bring the hand in front of the
right shoulder. Four.—Drop the hand on the
right to the full extent of the arm, the arm perpen
dicular and near the side, the blade of the sword in
a line with the knee when mounted, the point in
 43

the same direction as the right foot when dis

mounted, the edge to the left. Each of these
motions is performed in the time occupied by one
pace at slow time. Except that in drawing swords
for a general salute the sword is brought to the
recover with the first motion of the flugrelman. The
remainder of the salute is in the usual time; that
is, at the second motion of the flugelman the moves
ment of the sword from the recover to opposite the
right shoulder is commenced, the eye is shifted
from the flugelman to the commanding officer, and
the salute is completed with him.
In saluting with swords already drawn, or in
presenting arms, the usual time is taken from the
commanding officer, who will not commence the
salute till the swords are carried, or the last motion of
presenting arms is completed. When a parade
line advances with swords carried, the commanding
officer commences the salute when the line halts.
When marching past, the salute is commenced
about ten yards short of the person who receives it,
towards whom the head will be slightly turned
while passing. When marching past on foot, the
salute will be commenced with the left foot, and the
time taken from the officer on the right.
The return to the carry is in two motions. One.
—Raise the sword to the recover. Two.—Drop it
to the carry. These motions are given each in the
 44

time of one pace at slow time. When swords have

been drawn, or being drawn, have been carried for
a general salute, also after presenting arms, the
usual time for both motions is given by the com
manding officer. In the last case he will not com
mence the recover till the arms are advanced.
After marching past on foot the first motion will be
with the left foot.
The use of the sword on foot is to be precisely
the same as on horseback, except that when the
men have carbines the officers fall in with swords
drawn, carry swords when carbinfs are advanced,
and slope them when carbines are supported.

Formation for Sword Exercise on Foot.

The regiment, or any portion of it, being formed
as for foot parade, is told off by wings.
Officers take post in Front.—The officers place
themselves each as on the caution to take order,
except the officer commanding the right troop of
the left wing, who places himself one pace in front
of the right-hand man of his troop, to lead. And
all serrefiles remain in the rear. The coverers
fall back to the serrefile rank. Quick March.—
The officers in front move up three paces. From
the inward flank of wings, tell off by threes.
From the right of the left wing open your files.—
Officers face to the right about, and the flugelmen
 45

move out to their places. Quick March.—The

right-hand man of the left wing and his coverer
stand fast, the remainder open out by the side step ;
the front rank men of each wing will halt, when,
by extending the arm, each man can touch the
collar of the man next to him on his inward flank
with the tip of his finger ; the whole of the rear
rank cover their own front rank men ; the officers
move by the side step to the right or left, as the
case may be, in order to keep their position in front
of their proper files; the hands are brought down
by a motion from the flugelman on the right, and
the officers front.
Single files from the right of threes. —The
officers and the rights of threes move one pace to
the front.
Quick March.—The whole move forward as
prescribed by regulation when mounted. The
officer commanding the right troop of the left wing
leads ; the leaders of the troops next to him on either
hand raise their swords and give a moving base ;
the left of these two officers is the officer of aligne-
ment ; the right-hand man of the left wing covers,
and keeps his distance from the leader ; the rights of
threes of the front rank preserve their distance from
the man next on their inward hand ; the remainder
mark time, till each in succession gets his distance
of four paces from the man preceding him, par
 46

ticular attention being paid to true covering ; serre-

files and coverers follow the lefts of threes.
Halt.
Prepare for Sword Exercise.
Eyes Right.
Draw Swords.
Sword Exercise.
First Division.
Second Division.
Eyes Right.
Return Swords.
Front form Line.—The officers face to the right
about. Quick March. —The officers, their coverers
and serrefiles move to their places in line, with
the ranks closed ; the rights of threes of the rear
rank move up to one pace from the front rank ;
and the centres and lefts move up in line with the
rights of threes.
Close to the right of the 'left wing. Inwards
Face.—The right-hand man of the left wing and
his coverer stand fast ; the remainder face inwards.
Officers commanding troops place themselves on the
flank of the leading files of their troops : coverers
occupy the places vacated by the officers. Quick
March.—Each man fronts when he has closed.
Officers, having dressed their troops, move to their
places in line.
 47

Formation of Sword Exercise Mounted.

Single files from the right of threes.—The
officers in front and the rights of threes advance
one horse's length. March. —The whole move
forward as prescribed by regulation; the right-
hand man of the left troop of each squadron pre
serving his proper position with respect to the
squadron leader ; the right of threes of the front
rank preserve their distance from the men next
them towards the centres of their squadrons ; the
remainder cover. The standards drop back and
follow the inward columns of the left troops : their
coverers the inward columns of the right troops.
All serrefiles remain in the rear.
Halt. In the field the trumpet
Sword Exercise. signal may be substituted
First Division.
for these words.
Second Division.
Front form ranks.—The standards and their
coverers instantly move to their places. March.—
The whole form as at close order.
 LONDON :
Printed by W. Ci.owis and Sons,
14, Charing Cross.
T^