Advertisement for Captain DeReu's School of Self Defence date unknown

              Some Single Lessons are Great Benefit Before You go in Battle, and Will Save Your Life! 







BRAVERY AND EXPERTNESS IN ARMS LEADS TO VICTORY! 







EVERY CITIZEN OF A REPUBLIC HAS TO UNDERSTAND THE USE OF ARMS. 







Where is the person who can say that under the present circumstances the knowledge and correct use of Weapons is unnecessary. 







CAPTIAN EDWARD DE REU’S SCHOOL OF 



SELF DEFENCE! 







NOW OPEN AT 496 Ninth St., a few doors from Penn. Avenue, 



Every day from 9 to 12, 3 to 5, and 7 ½  till 10 o’clock, except Tuesday and Friday Evenings. 







INSTUCTIONS IN SELF DEFENCE WITH ALL KINDS OF ARMS, 



FOR GENTLEMEN. 







YOUTHS FROM SEVEN YEARS AND UPWARDS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, 



CALILTHENTICS AND FENCING 



THE BEST AND MOST USEFUL GYMNASTIC EXERCISE.-AN EDUCATION FOR THE WHOLE LIFE. 







The New Tactics with Small and Broad Sword, Drilling and Bayonet Exercise. 



 



     The subscriber, unrivaled during twelve years in America- formerly a pupil in one of the most celebrated Academies in Europe-has been thoroughly educated in this system, and is conversant with all other methods as taught by the most distinguished masters in Europe.  He is, therefore, fully competent to impart, quickly and correctly, this elegant accomplishment to all who may place themselves under his tuition.  Having been appointed Teacher of Fencing in the well known Military School of W.H. Russell, New Haven, and from the Board of Visitors and his excellency the Governor, appointed Professor of Arms in the South Carolina Military Academy in 1856, at Charleston, University at North Carolina, and of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of N.Y., at Rochester; and has drilled many regiments at Cairo City, Birds Point, Mound City, Camp Benton Barracks, at St. Louis, Camp Douglas, at Chicago, Camp Butler, at Springfield, Ill.; and having also received the most flattering testimonials from General Winfield Scott, General Cadwallader, and his excellency Governor Seymour, Generals U.S. Grant, M’Clernand, Paine, Colonels Voss, Morgan, etc.-begs leave to announce to the public that he has opened a Fencing Academy, where he will give lessons in the art of Fencing with the Smallsword, Broadsword or Sabre, and likewise in the use of the Bayonet.  The age most suitable for pupils is from seven years and upwards. 



     Fencing, probably, more than any other exercise, tends to develop all the muscles of the body, while at the same time it trains the mind to quickness of conception and action. 



     In teaching the art of Fencing to juveniles, I have adopted the well known system of Gymnastics of the celebrated Prof. Linge.  By this system, youths will acquire a noble carriage, an easy, natural step, genteel manners; and, at the same time, it will accomplish and strengthen the body.  Private lessons by Couples, in Classes, and Single Lessons. 



 



CAPT. DE REU was engaged in Cairo and other Camps of Instruction, and has drilled over thirty-five Regiments of Calvary and Infantry. 



CERTIFICATES MAY BE SEEN AT HIS ROOMS. 



NO ADMISSION FOR SPECTATORS DURING LESSON TIME. 







Please Read from some of Capt. DE REU’S Hundreds of Certificates, North, South, East, West, and Canada, during Twelve Years. 



 



     The subscriber was present at the Fencing Tournament of Caption Ed. De Reu, and can certify that this gentlemen displayed his skill in the use of the Rapier, Smallsword, Broadsword, and other weapons, in a manner which gave general satisfaction. 



THOMAS. SEYMOUR, Governor. 



 



New Haven, Nov. 7 1854. 



     Captain Ed. De Reu has, for several sessions past given instructions in the art of Fencing with the Smallsword to a class of pupils in the Collegiate and Commercial Institute.  The skill which they have attained under his tuition warrants me in recommending him as a master of the art himself, and a successful teacher of it to others; whole the increased vigor and muscular development of my students who have enjoyed his training lead me to consider it as something more than a science of defense and offence, and to recommend it as an important aid in physical education. 



WM.H. RUSSELL, (now Com. in Chief of Conn. Militia.) 



 



From the Ohio Statesman, Jan. 26, 1858. 



     THE OBJECT OF FENCING AND TOURNAMENT.-1.  Fencing is highly important as a healthy, invigorating gymnastic exercise, conductive to the harmonious development of both physical and mental powers. 



     2.  As a preparatory school of war, the art of Fencing is peculiarly essential to the citizens of this Republic, and should be introduced in all civil and military academies of the Union.  All citizens ought to be soldiers; that is, they to have practical knowledge of the skillful use of arms.  It is not the uniforms that makes the soldier, but the knowledge of his arms.  In our progressive age, according to the rules of modern tactics, it is not sufficient to be a good marksman; the past wars have shown that, now-a-days, the bayonet and sword decide the battle.  For a citizen of a Republic it is not sufficient to be good business man; but, whenever called upon, he must also be ready to take up arms and fight for his country and its free government.  Liberty was won with arms; business and speculation cannot secure it. 



     3.  In accordance with the idea of honor a prevailing in the modern world, the art of Fencing is a necessary element of education. 



     4.  Fencing is the best means to impart to the youth manly bearing , confidence, self-reliance, ambition and, in hours of danger, while it gives presence of mind, to inspire the deeds of heroism. 



     TO THE PUBLIC:-I take much pleasure in being able to say of Captain De Reu, that during his stay in our city, he has been most successfully engaged in teaching our gentlemen and youth the art of Fencing.  Many of his scholars have been very expert in the use of the foil, broad sword and bayonet.  Captain De Reu is a gentleman, and as such merits confidence and respect.  I have taken lessons from him, and so has my little son; and can speak of his high abilities from personal knowledge, as I do.  Should this meet the eye of any of my old friends, I would say that any favor shown Captain De Reu I will always appreciate and honor. 



     Yours, &c.,                    Col. M.B. WALKER. 



 



DAYTON, OHIO March 16, 1858. 



     We notice that Captain De Reu, of Fencing and Tournament reputation, has established a school each, in Piqua and Troy.  A new band, lately organized in the latter city, gave the gallant Captain a delightful serenade a few evenings since.  We cordially commend the Captain to our Troy and Piqua friends, both as a gentleman and a soldier.  In the latter profession he has few equals, and we believe, has few equals as a master in Fencing.-Dayton Gazette. 



 



[Certificate of U.S.A. Brigadier General L.B. Swan, Board of Visitors U.S. Military Academy at West Point.] 



PHYSICAL TRAINING.-Messrs. Editors: I have to-day witnessed the introductory lessons of a number of Capt De Reu’s class in Calisthenics and Fencing. The great importance of systematic physical training induces me to commend Capt. De Reu to the notice of our citizens as an instructor of no ordinary stamp. his system is of the most modern and improved school, and he is an expert, 



     I beg leave to assure parents and guardians that, in my opinion, no system of physical culture is equal to Calisthenics and Fencing. It contemplates and assures a full development of the body, gives to the vital organs full play, and at the same time an easy and graceful carriage of the person. 



     Gentlemen of the sedentary occupation and habits would derive great benefit from a course of lessons; and no military officer should neglect this opportunity to perfect himself in the use of this proper weapon. 



Rochester, Sept. 4, 1860                     Yours, Truly,     L.B. SWAN, Brg. Gen. 







Headquarters 10th Reg., Iowa Vol, 



Cap Lyon, Bird’s point, Mo. Feb 18 1863 



I fully endorse the many testimonials of Capt. De Reu’s ability as a teacher of Calisthenics, sword and bayonet Fencing, having, with several other officers, taken lessons in both the small and broadsword exercise. 



I consider that his services as a teacher in our army ought to be secured, inasmuch as it is rare to meet with one so well qualified for the position 



E.A. Paine, Brig Gen.                          Wm. E. Small, Lt Col. 10th Iowa 



U.S. Grant, Maj. Gen.                         T. M’Clernand, Maj. Gen. 



 



Capt. DE REU will make arrangements with Camps for Instruction In Self Defence 



___________________________________ 



Gideon & Pearson, Printers, 511 Ninth st., Washington