Saber Exercise 1914

A true reproduction of the U.S. Army 1914 Saber Exercise written by Lt. George S. Patton, Jr. while he was "Master of the Sword" at Fort Riley, Kansas.

George S. Patton, Jr. authored this Army training manual, "Saber Exercise 1914" while he was still a young lieutenant. The manual provides a system of training for both mounted and on-foot use of the saber. It is reprinted here in its entirety, including all original illustrations and graphics, although the original text has been converted to modern font for ease of reading. (An earlier version with JPG images of the original text is also available for those interested in seeing what the original manual looked like. The original manual has a cover picture of a mounted cavalryman with his saber pointed to the left. This later version has the saber pointed to the right.) Patton's affinity for swordsmanship came naturally. His grandfather, Confederate Colonel George Smith Patton, Sr., was mortally wounded at the Third Battle of Winchester while wielding a sword and leading his men into combat. Before writing this training manual, Patton had already achieved celebrity status, having placed fifth in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. His event was the Pentathlon, combining skills at which he excelled, including horseback riding and fencing. After the Olympics Patton studied in France with a fencing master reputed to be the finest in Europe. Patton also designed what came to be known as the "Patton Sword." The War Department ordered 20,000 of them in 1913. Later the same year Patton was assigned as a student and "Master of the Sword," the top instructor in a new course in swordsmanship, at the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas. It was here he wrote "Saber Exercise 1914," using easy-to-follow steps accompanied by detailed illustrations. The following year he wrote a more informal guide, "Diary of the Instructor in Swordsmanship," with additional insights and recommendations. Both works are historical treasures as well as modern treatises on this age-old martial art, presented by the Master himself, George Patton.

George S. Patton, Jr. wrote this seminal work on the art of swordsmanship for cavalry officers while he was a young officer assigned as a student and fencing instructor at the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas. Saber Exercise 1914 was published by the United States War Department in 1914. This transcription is based on an original copy archived at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Ridgway Hall. All original illustrations and graphs are included and enhanced for image quality. The title has been expanded to include the subtitle, "Training Manual in Swordsmanship," to clarify that this is not just a historically significant document, authored by a young George Patton. It is also a detailed study guide in the art of fencing and swordsmanship that is still an important resource for today's enthusiasts.

This is a long forgotten work by World War II General George S. Patton, Jr., written while he was still a young lieutenant and fencing instructor at the Mounted Service School in Fort Riley, Kansas. It would most likely have been lost to history if not for the preservation efforts of U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It is reprinted here in its entirety, including all detailed lessons and original photographs and graphics prepared by Patton to illustrate his points. (You might even recognize a young George Patton in some of the pictures.) More than a course of instruction, "Diary of the Instructor in Swordsmanship" captures the intellect and mindset of Patton and illustrates why he was destined to become one of America's finest battlefield commanders. This was not Patton's first publication on the topic. The year before he had authored "Saber Exercise 1914," the official Army training manual on the topic. But unlike "Saber Exercise 1914" which had been carefully staffed and edited in Washington before its official release, Patton distributed his "Diary of the Instructor in Swordsmanship" informally at the request of his student officers looking for more detailed instruction. Sprinkled throughout are Patton's personal recommendations and opinions. For example, he explains why it is important to teach Army officers the art of fencing but only provide a limited instruction to enlisted soldiers-and how training in swordsmanship helped troopers develop more aggressive instincts for battle. You can almost hear his voice, a little younger perhaps, but still unmistakably Patton.