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.

1.      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.

3    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.

I 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.