SABRE Exercise
Compiled
and Edited by
Capt. WR Gibson
Thanks to Wil for allowing us to use this!!
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of going through this exercise at the 135th Shiloh Reenactment. I do not know who the instructor was, but he taught with enthusiasm and experience. Finally, I found bits and pieces of it, and have edited them all together here. Hopefully we will, as a unit, have the opportunity gain proficiency in this exercise and perform it at events.
WARNING!! This is NOT for sword-play, or for individual practice! It will be done ONLY during formal drill with an instructor... wrg
For this lesson the squad is composed of from 6 to 8 men, armed only with sabres; they are placed in one rank, 9 feet from each other. The men must be wearing gauntlets, and each sabre must be equipped with a proper sabre-knot to preclude an unplanned release of the gripe.
The object of the moulinet is to render the joints of the arm and wrist supple, and as it adds to the confidence of the men when isolated, by increasing their dexterity, they should first be exercised at it, as a preparation for the other motions.
Each lesson is therefore commenced and ended with moulinets, executed with a quickness proportioned to the progress of the troopers. The instructor pays particular attention that the men do not employ a degree of force in the sabre exercise, which not only is less necessary than skill and suppleness, but which is even prejudicial.
He observes, also, that they do not lean to one side, in such a manner as to lose the seat, when mounted. He requires more especially, in the motions of the sabre to the rear, that the blade shall not fall too near the body, for fear of wounding the horse. In describing a circle, the flat of the blade should be to the side, and the edge to the front, and it should be so directed as not to touch either the horse’s head, or his haunches, or the knees of the rider.
When the troopers execute all the motions with regularity, the instructor requires each cut to be given without decomposing it; the last syllable of a command is the signal for the quick execution of it. All the cuts are then terminated by a half-moulinet, which brings back to the position of GUARD.
Thrusts should always be used in preference, as they require less force, and their result is more prompt, sure, and decisive. They should be directed quickly home to the body of the adversary, the sabre being held with the full grasp, the thumb pressing against the guard in the direction of the blade.
The parries against the lance are the same as against the point.
The instructor explains what is meant by right and left side of the gripe (grip); by tierce, and by quarte.
The right side of the gripe is the side opposite to the guard.
The left side
of the gripe is the side next to the guard.
Tierce is the
position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the right, the nails
downwards.
Quarte is the
position in which the edge of the blade is turned to the left, the nails
upwards.
To rest, the sabres being returned, the instructor conforms to what is prescribed, No. 2.
The troopers being placed as prescribed above, the instructor commands:
1) Draw—SABRE.
2 times.
1.At the first part of the command, unhook the sabre with the left hand, and bring the hilt to the front. Run the right wrist through the sword-knot; seize the gripe, draw the blade 6 inches out of the scabbard, pressing the scabbard against the thigh with the left hand, which seizes it at the tipper ring.
2. At the command, SABRE!, draw the sabre quickly, raising the arm to its full extent, at an angle of about 45 degrees; the sabre in a straight line with the arm, make a alight pause, carry the blade to the right shoulder, the back of it against the hollow of the shoulder, the wrist resting against the hip, the little finger on the outside of the gripe.
2) Return—SABRE.
2 times.
1. At the command, Return, carry the sabre vertically to the front, the thumb opposite to and 6 inches from the neck, the blade vertical, the edge to the left, the thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the little finger by the side of the others.
2. At the command, SABRE, carry the wrist opposite to and 6 inches from the left shoulder. Revolve the point of the blade to the rear, until it is nearly under the right hand, which, at the same time, is raised; the left hand. Also at the same time, take hold of the upper part of the scabbard; turn the eyes slightly to the left. Return the blade, free the wrist from the sabre knot, drop the right hand by the side; turning with the left the hilt toward the body, and so round to the rear, hook up the sabre, and drop the left hand.
3) Draw—SABRE.
The sabres being drawn, the instructor commands:
4) GUARD.
1 time.
1. At the command, GUARD, carry the right foot about 20 inches from the left, the heels on the same line. Place the left hand closed, 6 inches from the body, and as high as the elbow, the fingers towards the body, the little finger nearer than the thumb (position of the bridle hand). At the same time, carry the right hand about 10 inches in front of the right hip, the blade in an oblique position, the point a little raised, the edge upward, the back of the blade resting in the hollow of the left arm, as near the body as possible. The right hand without constraint, or feeling the weight of the sabre.
5) Left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in tierce and as high as the eyes; the point to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle round the hand, to the left of, and as near as safe, to the horse, and to the elbow; returning to the first position, and then to guard.
6) Right—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, extend the right arm to the front to its full length, the hand in quarte, and as high as the eyes, the point to the front, and a little higher than the hilt.
2. Commencing by lowering the blade, make rapidly a circle round the hand, to the right of the horse and body, returning to the first position, and then to guard.
To execute the moulinet without stopping, if the instructor wishes to begin by the left, he commands:
7) Left and
right—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
If he wishes to begin by the right, he commands:
8) Right and
left—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
At either of these commands, the troopers, commencing from the position of guard, execute alternately what is laid down in Nos. 33 and 34, without stopping at any motion.
9) Rear—MOULINET.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, MOULINET, raise the arm to the right and rear to its full extent, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to the right, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the body slightly turned to the right.
2. Describe a circle in rear, commencing by motion of the sabre towards the left, the arm being motionless to the wrist, return to the 1st position and then to guard.
When the troopers execute the moulinets well, the instructor requires them to execute several in succession, until the command GUARD.
POINTS AGAINST CAVALRY.
10) In tierce—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, raise the hand in tierce, as high as the right ear, and 7 inches from It, throw back the right shoulder, carrying the elbow to the rear, the point of the sabre to the right of the horse’s head and neck, and a little below the horizontal, the edge upwards, the thumb on the back of the gripe.
2. Thrust forward, extending the arm to it, full length, the edge of the sabre up.
3. Return to the position of guard.
11) In quarte—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, lower the hand in quarte near the right hip, the thumb extended on the right side of the gripe, the point a little higher than the wrist, edge to the left.
2. Thrust to the right front, extending the arm to its full length, the edge of the blade to the left.
3. Return to the position of guard.
12) Left—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the left, (half face to the left In the saddle,) raise the hand in tierce as high as the right ear, and 7 inches from It, the thumb on the back of the gripe, the edge of the blade upwards, the point directed to the left.
2. Thrust to the left, or left front, extending the arm to Its full length, the edge up.
3. Return to the position of guard.
13) Right—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the right, (half face to the right in the saddle,) carry the hand in quarte near the left breast, the edge upwards, the point directed to the right.
2. Thrust to the right, or right front, extending the arm to its fall length, edge to the front.
3. Return to the position of guard.
14) Rear—POINT.
1 time 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the right and rear, (half face to the right in the saddle,) bring the hand in quarts in front of the right shoulder, the arm half extended, the blade horizontal, the point to the rear, the edge upwards.
2. Thrust to the rear, or right rear, extending the arm to its full length, edge to the right.
3. Return to the position of guard.
POINTS AGAINST INFANTRY
15) Against infantry,
left—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT, turn the head to the left, (half face to the left in the saddle,) raise the hand In tierce near the neck, the thumb on the back of the gripe, the point of the sabre directed at the height of the breast of a man on foot.
2. Thrust down in tierce.
3. Return to the position of guard.
16) Against infantry,
right—POINT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, POINT turn the head and body toward the right, carry the hand In quarte near the right hip, the thumb on the right side of the gripe, the point of the sabre directed at the height of the breast of a man on foot.
2. Thrust in quarts.
3. Return to the position of guard.
17) Against infantry,
front—POINT.
1 time.
1. At the command, POINT, bear the weight on the right stirrup, bend well down to the right, extend the right arm well downwards, and, with the back of the sabre upwards, thrust forward, horizontally, and resume the guard,
18) Front—Cut.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, CUT, raise the sabre, the arm half extended, the hand a little higher than the head, the edge upwards, the point to the rear and higher than the hand.
2. Cut to the right of the horse’s neck, extending the arm to its full length.
3. Return to the position of guard.
CUTS AGAINST CAVALRY AND INFANTRY.
19) Left—Cut.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, CUT, turn the head to the left, (half face to the left in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to the front and right, the hand in quarte, and as high as the head, the point higher than the hand.
2. Cut diagonally to the left, in quarte.
3. Return to the position of guard.
This is also used against infantry, bending well forward and down, and cutting at the necessary angle.
20) Right—CUT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, cur, turn the head to the right, carry the hand near the left shoulder, the point of the sabre upwards, the edge to the left.
2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, give a backhanded cut horizontally, in tierce.
3. Return to the position of guard.
21) Rear—CUT.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, CUT, turn the head to the right, throwing back the right shoulder, (half face to the right In the saddle,) carry the hand near the left shoulder, the sabre perpendicular, the edge to the left.
2. Extend the arm quickly to its full length, and give a backhanded cut horizontally to the rear, in tierce.
Return to the position of guard.
22) Right, in tierce and quarte—CUT.
1 time, 4 motions.
1. At the command, cur, execute the 1st motion of right cut, No. 20.
2. Execute the 2d motion of right cut, No. 20.
3. Turn the hand in quarte, and cut horizontally to the left.
4. Return to the position of guard.
23) Left, in quarte and
tierce—CUT.
1 time, 4 motions.
1. At the command, CUT, execute the 1st motion of left cut, No. 19.
2. Execute the 3d motion of left cut, No. 19.
3. Turn the hand in tierce, and cut horizontally to the right.
4. Return to the position of guard.
PARRIES AGAINST CAVALRY.
24) Right—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, grasp the sabre firmly, extend the arm to the right, the hand moving horizontally, the point at the same time describing a circular motion upwards, and with the edge to the right, parry as strongly as possible the blow aimed at the right side.
2. Return to the position of guard.
25) Left—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. Raise the hand above, and about seven inches in front of the eyes, the elbow somewhat bent, edge to the left, point downwards and about a foot outside the horses left shoulder, and parry as strongly as possible the blow aimed at the left side.
2. Return to the position of guard.
26) Head—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, raise the sabre quickly above the head, holding it with the utmost firmness, the arm nearly extended, the edge upward, the point to the left, and about 6 inches higher than the hand. The hand is carried more or less to the right, left, or rear, according to the position of the adversary.
2. Return to the position of guard.
PARRIES AGAINST INFANTRY.
27) Against infantry,
Right—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, turn right, (half face to the right in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to the right and rear, the point upwards, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the edge to the left.
2. Parry the bayonet with the back of the blade, by a rapid circular motion of arm and blade, from rear to front, bringing the hand as high as the hind, the paint upwards, edge to the front.
3. Return to the position of guard.
28) Against infantry,
Left—PARRY.
1 time, 3 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, turn the head to the left, (half face to the left in the saddle,) raise the sabre, the arm extended to the front and right, the point upwards, the thumb extended on the back of the gripe, the back of the blade to the front.
2. Parry the bayonet with the back of the blade, by a forcible circular motion of the arm and blade from front to rear, bringing the band above the left shoulder, edge to the rear, the point upwards.
3. Return to the position of guard.
PARRIES AGAINST THE LANCE (OR SABRE).
29) In tierce—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, carry the forearm and blade quickly to the front and right, the elbow but little moved, edge to the right, thumb on the back of the gripe, the point being carried to the right front, at the height of the eyes.
2. Return to the position of guard.
30) In quarte.—PARRY.
1 time, 2 motions.
1. At the command, PARRY, carry the arm and blade quickly to the left front, edge to the left, the point as high as the eyes, the thumb on the back of the gripe.
2. Return to the position of guard.
When the troopers begin to execute correctly the above cuts, thrusts, and parries, the instructor requires them to make the application of them by combined motions, such as follow:
In
tierce—POINT AND FRONT CUT.
In quarte—POINT
AND FRONT CUT
Left—POINT
AND CUT.
Right—POINT
AND CUT.
Rear—POINT
AND CUT.
Against
infantry right—POINT AND CUT.
Against
infantry left—POINT AND CUT.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND DIRECTIONS.
Great attention should at all times be paid to maintain the proper position and balance of the body, as by too great an exertion in delivering a cut or point a horseman may be thrown. He may also be so discomposed as to lose advantage of his skill, both for attack and defense. He should have confidence in his parries, and not trust to his avoiding the attack of his opponent by turning or drawing back the body.
In delivering a forward point 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. Nor should a cut, under such circumstances, be given too strong as the impetus of the horse will give effective force. Even the drawing of the edge can frequently be applied with advantage, particularly when the point, by being given too soon, may not have taken effect; by a quick turn of the wrist the edge is drawn along the face of your opponent, or other exposed part. The forcing, also, of the edge can be resorted to when very near and closely pressed upon by an adversary by suddenly extending the arm and directing the edge across his face, or where an opening is given.
When sufficient space is allowed for choosing the point of attack you should endeavor to take advantage of it; if not, at all events to avoid its being made on your left rear. When a change of position alone can bring you upon an equality with your opponent; it may be done either by making a sudden halt, so as to allow him to pass, and then pressing upon his left rear. Or, by turning quickly to the left about, and thereby having your right opposed to his. Should you be prevented doing this, and he still keeps upon your left, you must bear up as close as possible to him, otherwise your opposition will be ineffectual. In his situation, by keeping at the proper distance from you, his cut will reach when yours will not, and consequently you will be reduced to the defense alone.
In meeting your opponent on the left front turn sharply to the left on your own ground, which brings you immediately with your sword arm free, and at liberty to act upon his left. And in meeting him upon the right front, press your horse quickly on, and by a sharp turn to the right, gain his left rear. Or, if pursued endeavor to keep your adversary on the right rear. When attacked by more than one you will naturally endeavor to keep them both either to the right or left. But, when they have been enabled to place themselves on both sides, press close upon the left opponent, and endeavor to keep the right one at a distance.
The attack or defense against the lance (it is the common weapon of the mounted Indians) depends much upon horsemanship, and the judgment of the rider. It is parried like the sword; and you must press in at your opportunity to close upon your antagonist. You must invariably endeavor to gain his right rear when he is least able to attack or defend. The left rear and left, weakest for the sabre, are the strongest positions for the lance. The same may be said of the bow and arrow; in pursuit always approach at the right rear.
When opposed to infantry, endeavor to meet an opponent on your right; in the parry the bayonet must be struck, and by the stronger part of your sabre; the cuts form a defense as well as attack upon Infantry, but the point should be chiefly used in pursuit.
In the use of the sabre at speed, it is important that the horseman should aid the impetus of the cut, and secure his own seat by supporting the sway of the body with the opposite leg to that side on which he intends to cut or point. For instance, in the left cut he should support the body by a strong pressure of the inside of the right thigh and leg against the saddle and horse. In the right cut, support the body with the left leg, the lower down the grip can be taken the better, not touching the horse with the spur. It is particularly applicable and necessary in pursuit over rough and varied ground.
Cuts very often fail from the sabre turning enough to make the blow one with the flat; at best the wound is generally trifling compared to those made by thrusts.
The instructor should impress upon the recruits such occasional observations as become applicable. Opportunities should be taken in pauses of rests; the squad should not be kept very long in positions or movements.