Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/103

 ARMY.

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soldiers is greatly encouraged, so as to give the army a standing nucleus of experienced troops, who have made the military service their life-profession. The Government annually fixes the price to be paid for substitutes. It was fixed, in 1855, at 2,800 francs, or 112/., was lowered, in 1857, to 1,800 francs, or 72/., and was sub- sequently raised again to 2,800 francs, or 112/. In 18G8, the pay for a substitute was settled by the Minister of War at 2,500 francs, or 100/. This sum, increased by various other items, is thrown into an army-fund, out of which the substitutes are paid a certain amount at the time of enlistment, besides receiving an increase of pay at the end of seven years, another increase at the end of fourteen, and a pension of one franc, or tenpence, a day, after a service of forty-five years. Soldiers are allowed to re-enlist as long as they are fit for service.

The details of the organisation of the regular army, on the peace- footing, were as follows at the commencement of 1870 : —

Infantry.

3 regiments of Grenadier Guards.

6,600

4 ,

,

Voltigeurs

8,800

100

Infantry of the Line

198.871

7

Chasseurs

16,103

4

Zouaves

9,746

1

,

African Light Infantry.

1,659

1

,

Foreign Legion

2,577

3

,

Tirailleiirs of Algeria.

6,000

1

nts of

Veterans, and other troops Infantry, with.

2,296

124 regime

252,652 men

Cavalky.

1 squadron

of Cent-Gardes.

221

2 regiments

of Carabiniers.

1,764

12

Cuirassiers.

10,915

13

Dragoons

11,631

9

Lancers

8,103

13

Mounted Chasseurs

11,876

1

Imperial Guides.

1,047

8

Hussars

7,546

3

Chasseurs d'Afrique

3,381

3

Spahis ....

3,489

2

Remonte and Cavalry school

2,825

Total 66 regts. and one squadron of Cavalry, with 62,798 men, 48,143 horses.

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