Trooper 3809: A Private Soldier of the Third Republic

by Lionel Decle

(iv) Reprimand by Captain commanding the squadron.

(v) Reduction in rank (retrogradation).

(vi) Absolute loss of rank (cassation).

The appended table explains itself:—

	Right of Punishment by—
Punishments	Sergeant-	Sergeant-	Adjudant,	Captain.	Majors,	Colonel.
of	major.	major in	Lieut.		and Capt.-
N.C.O.s.		his	and Sub-		commt.
		Squadron.	lieut.
	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.
(i)	4	8	8	15	30	30
(ii)	2	4	8	8	15	30
(iii)	—	—	4	8	15	30
Prison	—	—	—	—	8	15

Corporals in the French army do not rank as N.C.O.s. The latter are far better treated now than they were in my time, the change being entirely due to General Boulanger, and being one of the causes of his great popularity among the soldiers. Until he became Minister of War, non-commissioned officers could be sent to the Salle de Police (lock-up). An Adjudant could give a Sergeant eight days of Salle de Police, or fifteen days' C.B., and a Sergeant-major could give the Sergeants four days' Salle de Police and eight days' C.B. Sergeants could even be sent to prison by the Adjudants. There existed a Salle de Police separate from the one allotted to the men, to which Sergeants and Corporals were sent together, the only difference being that Sergeants were allowed a straw mattress and blanket, while the Corporals were only allowed one blanket and slept on boards.

The punishments inflicted on Corporals are:

(a) Confinement to barracks.

(b) Salle de Police (lock-up).

(c) Prison.

(d) Reduction to the ranks.

	Right of Punishment by—
Nature of	Ser-	Sergeant	Sergeant-	Adjudant,	Captains.	Field	Colonel.
Punishment	geants.	majors.	major	Sub-lieut.		Officers
of			in his	and		and
Corporals.			Squadron.	Lieuts.		Captains
						commanding
						a Squadron.
	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.	Days.
(a)	4	4	8	8	15	30	30
(b)	—	—	—	4	8	15	30
(c)	—	—	—	—	—	8	15