Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-11

The ORIGIN OF THE ZOUAvEs.-At this time
when our citizens have seen and admired the
Chicago Zouaves, hefollowing history of the
Origihators Of the corps in Europe, Which
we find in the Rochester Democrat, will be
of interest - Ia II ...l...
Whsn in the year. 1880, after the recall of
Gen. Bourmont, the conqneror Of Algiers,
Gen. Clauzel was appointed commander-in-
chief OF the army " Seets sjetfssl, i4l-t-a4--
took at once particular + pains to regulate the
internal affair, Of the newly eonqu cred colo
nv, and to effect a better Understanding ~,
tween the conquerors and the indigenous, by
making those barbarians acquainted with
European manners and habits. One Of the
best means towards the accomplishment of
this end, he thought would be the establish
ment of several battalions of indigenous
troops, and according orders were issued to
form two BattaIions Of infantry and two
"escadrohs Of cavalry, from the latter of
which, at a later day, the "sPahis" origina-
ted, a cavalry crops consisting of Arabs, that
through their acquaintance with the country
and the inhabitants, proved of great service
to the French. 4 40 HEEI
The two battalions of infantry above men
toned, received the name Of "Zouave" after
an independent tribe of tsKabyles'ss in the
province Of Constantine, called "Zouavuas,"
one Of the most warlike and formidable
tribes that in former days used to sell their
services to the Turkish rulers Of Algiers, and
constituted the terror of the plains during
the invasions that the "Deys" would under
take year after year for the collection OF
forced contributions, y But the Frenehy Ia
stead Of really negotiating with these war
like tribes, and Of recruiting the two battal-
ions above mentioned, from the warriors OF
/ the same, enlisted a number of vagabonds
/ picked up in the streets of Algiers, that were
] good for nothing. The French officers who
I were charged with organizing those battal-
| ions saw with dismay that their recruits, as
/ soon as they had been enrolled and recelVeu
| the earnest money, deserted in great num-
bers, and when at the same time the war as
| sumed wider proportions and deoinmenced 70
/ be considered on the part Of the Arabs end
1 KHbyles as a holy war against the iniidels,
the idea Of enlisting indigenous was reltn-
0uished, and the places Of dessf,ters IN those
battalions were filed by Frenehmen. Phe
name Hzouaves,' . hoEsyer, has been retained
The formation of a corps Of Infhaantly, con-
sisting of Indigenous WIS, however, at q
later day accomplished by the organiEsiionaoi
the 'sTiraiIlears indigenous, and these under
the name Of sTurkosy" given to thembyi the
i French army, have played a conspi picuons part
in the late wars of the French, especially in
/ Italy. Among the Zouaves there were eYen
fifteen years ago only few, fzanyyi FiTail.
Arabs That corps has been recruitsd stAet
that time from the best and most hardened
soldiers, and none were received but those
that had served at least seven years in Africa
Thus the Zouaves soon became the select anc
most efficient troops of the African army
Their uniforms consisted at that time, abou
fifteen years ago, Of blue Turkish jacket!
without standing collars, loose, red Turkist
pants, extending down to the knees, shoe
and short leggings, and over these, Logging
of yellow leather bateoveTsdtke legs from
the knees to the ankles. For head cover
/ ine they used the Turkish iiFez, y Wtica b
means ofsg green shawl wound aronnd - ir1 !
tran formed into n sFpEban.H Their arlll
were these of the French Infantry Sc
and bayonet and their eEercisss tbs same =
these of that body Of, troops Recently
however, Louis HapoleoE has done . gTaa
deal togards the perfect ton and still greate
eficienev OF the ZoaaYesa The musket2 ha
been Disposed Of and the rifle akea is plaei
and their handling Of the bay0net is trnl
marYeHous, 1T IS principally their sEiIl ~
the use Of this weapon. that makes the 1ou
! ayes 50 Formidable, and durihg the late wa
/ in Italy their attacks with the hayonet prove
almost invariably iTresistbte, s5iaT - -s=s