The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-12-09
From the Paris Cor. Of the N. Y. Com Advertiser.
The Africans.


This is the name iamarIy applied to that knot
oil generals who, after serving with distinction
against the Arabs, Turks and Moors of North
Africa, are now sitting in the Assembly, their
swords half unshealhed and ready to start from
the scabbard, the first inviting gesture of ambi-
,ion Arnsud, Changarner, Lemorciere, Cavaig-
nae, St. Angely, Lefo Bedeau, Tartas, Magnan,
and others OF less note, have all gained their
grades under a tropical sun. They grew up 10
power and fame and rank under the guidance of
that remoseless soldier, Marshal Bugeaud man
whose heart never knew fear or pity, and whose
hand was as prompt As his heart was ruthless. 1t
has been my fort me, whether good or bad, TO be
brought into contact with some OF these persons
and with intelligent men who have served under
him; have heard their histories and adventures
battles, dues, loves and sufferings. 1t would be
pleasant literary task to the brilliant incl
dents OF their lives INTO biographical sketches but
for The present, ! must con6ne myself to such an
lniermlxture OF description and narrative as may
throw into broad relief their prominent character
istcs. This week, next week, or next month";
they may be placed AT the head Of an army des
tined to defend the Assembly or the President !;
who knows! They may bs at the head of hostile
armies, and decide with the sword which of the
parties shall govern lhs people.
The war against Agiers was begun in 1880, by
Charles x, and has been carried on, almost with
out intermisslon, 10 the present moment more
than thirteen hundred tribes have been conquered
resisting desperately their disciplined invaders.
1t is only few weeks since the Labyles were
crushed by the French arms, and the Presidents
message intmates that there are still other tribes
10 dIsquiet the European inhabitants. For the
Arabs, the war has not only been for house
and home, for their fields and native land, but for
their prophet and their Allah. After the manner
of their country they are deeply religious The
priests were the efficient enemies of the French
they exhorted the people in The mosques, woods
and mountains-inspired them with courage, by
wonders and alleged mracles-went 10 the battle
with the soldiers and showed them how to die in
fighting against the heretics. II tribe was beaisf
and forced TO surrender, the priests left it and flew
TO others, to animate their courage and promise
Thrones to the living. Heaven to those who fall.'
BoumaZa and Abd. .e- Kader were prophets a.
well as chiefs. The first was supposed by his fol
lowers TO be inyulnerable hs had received nearly
thirty wounds, but had never confessed himself to
be hurt. One was made by lance thrust which
grazing along his breast, laid open his abdomen
but Boumaza twisted his red cloak around the
place, and continued to cheer on his troops
When his wounds condemned him to repOse, il
was given out that he was communing with Goo
in prayer he remained secluded in his tent unit
his recovery.
The religious fanaticism of the Arabs and the
half savage state soon changed the war, on the
side, into one of determination. They gave n,
quarter and would receive none. In short time
the French became as ferocious as they. Fo
twenty-one years, the soil of Algeria has been RET
with massacre The conquerors of the coun,r,
have lived in camps and tents, and have kept guar
night and day. All the cunning, boldness and i'm
placby of the North American Indians wer
excelled by the Arabs. If French sentinel slum
bered on his post, that sleep was his last; if fol
aging party small, it was attacked by a hume
rous troop of yelling savages, mounted on hard
and fleet horses and while at full speed, pourin
in their voleys, with murderous certainty. Some
times they would charge into a camp at The sam
headlc lg speed leave hundreds of dead and dyin
in th oath, and sweep on their way like bias
of IT,. ieath- bearing Simoom. Parties of pleasur
andpr omenades were impossible; the name of
straggl ing soldier was stricken at once from tn
rolls
For the conquest of such an enemy, Europea
discipline was inadequate; the French army as
sumed a sort of Moorish costume, much more fave
rabe to freedom OF motion than the ordinary uni
form the gymnastc exercises were doubled tn
foot soldiers trained to run for miles without stoI
ping the cavalry to shoot at full speed. No pain
were spared, until the troops in Africa became tn
most hardy, active, courageous and erocious in til
known world.
But to their leaders. One of the most celebra
ted. General Usefg, has not been in France sine
1856 He is the French Suwarrow, minus tn
dirliness and shir,isssness OF Ihs Russian Such
disuiplinarian was never known Beyond the lin
of his military dntes he knows nothing and think
nothing is TO be known, having been born, brougf
up and passed his life amid the clash of arm,
With the exception of about one years sojourn i
France, he hSs never come into contact with civil
ization. He was born at Tunis OF French parents
His father was in the employ of the Bey as mill
tary officer, and often took his family with him O
martial expeditions. The boy was left an orpha
at the aye OF fourteen. He was already accu,
toned to all the horrors Of Moorish warfare h
had heard tales of courage, Of reckless daring and
blood, around the camp fires was familiar with ii
ribaldry and debaucheries of the soldiery, and ha
seen villages sacked and burned, towns pillage
ana the inhabitants, men, women and children, p1
TO the sword THIS part Of his education was nj
lost on Usef; he profted as much by it as by Ii
aoie instructions OF his father in mathematics el
siheeflhs, iottihcation, and other matters appe
ams ,a.lns 10 military science. At the death Of h
isthef ne entered the service of the Rev of Tit
re- subordinate to the Dey of Alyiers The .,
ersy ana bravery of the you2 U,str soon :,
ua"ted the attention of his master. yvho a",a L;
post IN his body guard, and an ana,,m. S'e ~
palace. These, and other Qualities ~ IN u
character gained hun the heart of ,bs R..,, snoW
ter. pair OF brilliant black ewes .oon dss,,a, .,
the remains, it there were anv of JIsaE'a
dces OF race. The intrigue u,s oonaua,s.p prey
long time with secresy at last the lovers ,rs
discovered by Christian slave who bs.tsnsd ;e
ously to gain the favor Of the Bsv bv 5snouno,,
them. As he entered the room Of b;s m,s,.r
did not see that U.etf had followed .fte, HIM r.
revelation was made the Bey's countspapc. dar
ened with passion; he seemed to nerve himself
for terrible deed. At his command the al,
IL IL i -