BAYONET EXERCISE.-If the sword exercise be of use to volunteer officers, there are thirty times as many volunteers themselves to whom a proper command of the bayonet is indispensable. In close-quarter engagements, there is no weapon more formidable: from its length and weight, the thrust of the bayonet gives a terrible wound, and its force is such that there is great difficulty in parrying the attack. Like other small arms, it is most serviceable when handled on scientific principles; and the art of using it to advantage is so simple as to be very easily acquired, while the exercise, from the weight of the rifle, admirably aids in developing the muscles of all parts of the body.
Of course, the bayonet is always fixed at the end of the musket, when it becomes virtually a pike. The position of the feet in the bayonet exercise remains always the same relatively, and absolutely until advance or retreat be effected. The right foot is thrown hack 24 in., and the weight of the body thrown upon it. The heels are kept in a line with each other, both knees bent and well apart; the right knee directly over the foot, the left easy and flexible, pointing to the front. In this position of the body, all the defensive motions of the bayonet are made. In "guard." the bayonet is brought nearly to a horizontal direction, level with the waist, and pointing towards the breast of an advancing enemy. Similarly, to "guard," the positions "low," "high," and "second point" are assumed. The butt of the rifle is always kept well to the right side, the hand behind the trigger-guard, and the whole body in attitude to offer great resistance. In " low," the barrel is turned downwards; but in all the other defensive motions it'is held upwards. The position of the arms is in each case that which would naturally be taken in placing the bayonet and musket in the required direction.
The offensive position of the body is acquired by the extension of the right leg, and bending forward of the left without moving the feet. The butt of the rifle is at the same time pressed firmly to the shoulder. This position is called f` point," and consti tutes an extension of the weapon in a direction parallel with either of those previously taken. As there were four "guards," so there are four points. The barrel is in each .case upward, and Vit.' motions for ale siinilar, except in pointifigirom "2d point." when the rifle, seized by the right hand round the small of the butt, is thrust straight up above the bead to the full extent of the arm, the left hand falling along the thigh, and the legs being straightened so as to form an isosceles triangle.
"Shorten arms" is a useful motion, both as a defense and as a preparation for a strong attack. It consists in carrying the butt back to the full extent of the right arm, while the barrel (downwards) rests upon the thick part of the left arm. The body is thrown upon the right leg, and the left straightened.
In all the guards and points, and also "shorten arms," the bayonet may be turned directly to the front, to the right, or to the left, as circumstances may suggest. In con tending with a swordsman, the action of changing from right to left, when at the "high" or "low," is sufficient defense against the ordinary cuts of the latter.
Among the treatises consulted for this article have been the works on F. by Angelo and Roland, as well as the shorter instructions issued by the military authorities.