Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-18
The zouaves.

Although TINS RENOWNED corps mas Deen III
existence for twenty-five years, and during that
time has occupied the post Of danger in every
battle in Africa in which the French have been
involved, the public know but little of its
origin, history, and the characteristics which
have enabled them to attain the very first rank
as military corps. The Zouaves are by some
supposed to be Arabs or Moors, which is an
error, although the corps originated in Algeria.
That the Zouaves are adding in the Crimea to
the glorious renown they have won in Africa,
is proved by the honorable mention made Of
their services in the official dispatches the first
rank being always assigned them, and by the
letters of the correspondents, who delight to
recount their prowess in arms and their feats
ofgallantry. The origin Of the corps Of Zouaves
is as follows: In 1880, August IA, the next
day after the conquest Of Algeria was com.
pleted, an Arab Lieutenant of police attached
to the French expedition offered to the French
Marshal, Bourmount, confidential commu-
nication, STIMULATING for the formation Of a
corps of auxiliaries, to be recruited entirely
from among the Zouates, n native tribe, and to
number 1000 men. The communication also
embraced the plan of a thorough organization,
the particulars of which would be of no interest
here; but the plan was of the most practical
character, and was highly creditable to the
Arab who made the offer, Adder Rahman.
The offer was accepted by the successor Of
Marshal Bourmount, and the corps was mus
tered in the French service. When first organ.
lied the Zouaves served on foot, the officers
being mounted, and their arms we're o musket,
pair Of pistols, and an Algerian sabre or
yataghan The men cautioned near Algiers
received daily ration Of bread; those detached
received this ration in biscuit, with the addition
Of some beans and oil. In this connection,
some accounts of the natives who were so sum
marty mustered in the service of the invaders
will be interesting, and we copy from an article
in the Paris ILLUSTRATION:
The Zouazouas, whom we have made
Zouares, are also designated by the name of
GGouaoua and d Ait Gaotl0, who are Kabyles,
or primitive Berbers. They form q confede-
racy, inhabiting the high mountains and steep
hills between Bougie and Dellis, and were al
ways remarkable for their independence and
martial spirit. Entrenched in their dense for
ests or on their inaccessible rocks, they have
deied the Mussulman authority at Bougie, and
paid only what tribute they pleased. Al
though they recognized the sovereignty of the
Sultan, they abstained from every act implying
obedience of the vanquished. Some Of their
tribes, among them the Beni-Khelli, have never
paid tribute to the Turkish government; they
discharged only the zecat and the dch0ar to the
Zaouias or religious establishments. Like all
kabyles, the Zouaouas have always been in
trepid foot soldiers, the instinct of expansion,
the love of adventure, and the thirst for COM
bat, which distinguish them from all the inhabi-
tants of the other groups of the Jurjura, impel
them to lend their military services to whom
soever knows best how to profit by them.
"These fierce mountaineers are active and
toilsome. They make gunpowder, but are
chiefly addicted to iron and goldsmiths' work.
Skilful armorers are found amongst them, and,
singularly enough, also coiners of marvellous
address, the latter specially appertaining par
ticularly to the tribe of Aourir- Zemmour.
We have seen in Africa French coins counter
feited by these industrious bandits, and can
affirm that these specimens evinced uncommon
dexterity and extremely delicate toiling. The
Turkish markets have always been inundated
with those false pieces, which sometimes, also,
appear on our own.
"When the Zouaoua cannot use the musket,
he shoulders his pickaxe and offers his strength
to the European colonists, who appreciate his
fidelity and laborious habits. The warlike
propensties Of the Zouaoua are eSwell known
in Algeria, that their countryHen attribute to
them the honor of being destined to overthrow
the French power in Africa. The fatal blow,
say they will be struck near village of the
tribe of BENZ Iraten, called Adni We are to
advance as far as there, but there we are to be
beaten, and from that day the fortunes Of
France are to be decrescendo until its final ex-
tinction. Such is the universal opinion in the
grand Kabyle.
According to the remarkable work of NJ. lie
Commandant Carette, the confederacy Of Zou
AQUA comprises two hundred and one villages,
and population Of ninety-four thousand souls,
being the most populous group of all the Jur
jura."
At first the corps of Zouaves was composed
mostly of natives, but some French and for.
eigners were admitted. In 1888, the two bat
talions into which they had divided were con-
solidated, and placed on the regular basis, for.
eigners being excluded, and Of the twelve COM
panies forming the battalion, but two were
French. In 1885, the Zouaves were again di.
vided into two battalions, each composed OF
four native and two French companies. After.
wards, the Arabs withdrew from the corps,
they preferring the cavalry service, and the
Kabyles were finally diverted from the service,
through the artful representations of Abdel.
Kader, and now the corps OF Zouaves is com.
posed entirely of Frenchmen, and good share
of them are Parisians. The great service Of
the Zouaves are well known. They have al.
ways sought the post of danger, and every OPP
portunity to obtain distinction has been eager
ly embraced. A soldier who seeks promotion
at the point Of the sword, enters the Zouaves
throng of distinguished officers have been
graduated in this brilliant corps, among whom
are Generals Duvivier, Lamoriciere, Cavaig-
mac, LAdmirault, Canrobert and Bourbaki
Boston Journal. :