Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-08-05

within pistol shot; then, after muruer
Gus vOlley, they charged on the Arabs,
who broke and fed in dismay. During
the remainder of the day they would not
approach this band nearer than long rife
range"
Notwithstanding their numerous losses,
their tolls and hardships, the renown of
the Zouaves was such that their thinned
ranks were rapidly replenished. In 1889
a revolt took place in the regiment, and
most ofthe natives deserted to join ADD
el-Kader, subsequently proving danger
Gus adversaries to their old companions
in arms, by their skill and vslor. The
career of the Zouaves in Africa was Sc
ries of uninterrupted triumphs; they
proved themselves invincible and the right
arm of the French army of conquest, al
though for many years their numbers
were comprised in a single regiment. In
lS41 the regiment was raised to three
battalions of nine companies. Soon after
the Arabs were entirely excluded from
the companies, and they became @folly
European. Their subsequent history is
thus sketched by the writer in the Atian-
nc:
In 1912 the natives disappeared finally
from their ranks; the best and braveSt
soldiers in the African army eagerly
sought their places, attracted by the uni
form, the manner of life, the constant
danger and no less constant excitement,
the liberty allowed, the glory ever open
to all. As their numbers were decimated
by the continual warfare, the ranks were
Immediately filed by the descendants Of
those brave Gauls who once said, If the
heavens fall, what care we? We will
support them on the points of our lances.'
In 1913, the Zouaves received a large
accession from Paris the gdminS of the
Revolution were sent to them in great
numbers. Out Of this unpromising, re-
bellious material, some of the finest Of
those admirable troops have been made
and now, when the entry into this regi.
ment was longed for by so many. as a
species OF promotion, on the 9th of Feb.
ruary, 1882, Louis Napoleon, then Pres
ident Of the Republic, decreed that three
regiments of Zouaves be formed, each or
one of the three battalion as its own
Thus the first regiment was formed a
Blidah, in Algiers; the second at Oran
in Oran the third at Constantine, in tn,
province of Constantine. Officers of the
corps Of infantry were eligible to the new
regiments, holding the same grade; the
men were to be drawn from any infantry
corps in the army, on their own applica
tion, if the Minister of War saw proper.
None were accepted but men physical
ly and morally in excellent condition
the officers had, for the most part, alread,
served with credit; the under officers ant
soldiers had been many years in the ser
vice; and even many corporals, and not
few ensigns and lieutenants, voluntaril
relinquished their positions to serve il
the rank and file of the new corps. 81
occupied in pacifcating and securing th
= three provinces, the regiments lost moth
= ing of their former renown; obedient {
orders, and fearless of danger, it was n
idle compliment paid them by Louis M
E poleon, when, in the winter OF 1853
he said, If the war break out, we mu:
: show our Zouaves to the Russians
They were body trained in the school {
aterrible experience oftwenty-four years
I, they had learned, like the lion hunter
Gerard, to take death by the name, an
look into his fiery eyes without bIanci
: ing they were fit for this service, whic
demanded the best nerve Of the two mo.
{ powerful nations Of the world. WIS
D they did there is known to all; at tn
= battle Of the Alma, Marshal St. Arnau
: was unable to repress his admiration
: calling them the b-avest soldiers in th
: world All Europe, at first wonderin
at these strange troops, with their vii
5 dress their half savage manners an
e strange method of warfare, found speed
e cause to admire their courage and SUI
: cess: France was proud of their renowi
e and they became immensely popular
T Paris, sure proof of their remarkabl
qualities. Their oddities, their courag,
their imperfect knowledge of the distin,
] tons ofnleum and tuuna, their wonderin,
5 childlike simplicity, furnished themes fc
: endless songs and caricatures."
= OF their discipline tue writer saws:
= There exists between the soldiers an
, officers a military fraternity, which, ia
from destroying discipline, tends rattle
to draw more closely its bonds. The off
Ger sees in his men rather companions !
danger and in glory than interiors; b
F; willingly attends to their complaints. an