The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-07-31
NUMBER 81.
NO orc About the Zouares.

IN view OF the recent arrival of the celebra.
ted Zouave Cadets of Chicago, at New York
the following particulars in regard to the o,.io;n
of the French Zouaves that attracted so loEno
share of public attention, and excited the
admiration, not only of Europe, but of this
country, through their deeds of bravery and
their brilliant achievements during the late
Crlmean war, and still more recently durinv
the Italian campaign, might be of interest to
many OF our readers.
When in the year 1880, after the recall of
Zen. Bourmont, the coLqueror of AIeiers Gen.
Claudzc was appointed ommander-in.chief of
the army of occupation, the latter took at once
particular pains to regulate the internal affairs
OF the newly conquered colony, and to effect
better understanding between the copouerors
and thelndlgenous, by making those barbarians
acquainted with European manners and habits.
One of the best means towards the accomplish
ment of this end, he thought, would be the
establishment ofscveral battalions ofindicenous
troops, and accordng y orders were issued to
form two battalions of infantry and two "csca
droas" of cavalry, from the latter of which. at
a latter day, the "Spallis" originated, cavalry
corps consisting of Arabs, that through their
acquaintance with the country and the inhabi
tants, proved of great service to the French.
The two battalioas of infantry above men,
toned received the name 'Zouavcs" after an
independent tribe of "Kabyles," in the province
OF Constantine, called "Zouavuas," one of the
most war-lkc and formidable tribes, that in,
iorlnrr days, used to sell their services to the
Turkish rulers of Algiers, and constituted the
terror Of the plains during the inrasions that
the "Dcys' would undertake, year after wear,
tor the collection of forced contributions. But
the French, instead of really negotiating with.
these war'llkc tribes and of recruiting the two
battaIlons above mentioned from the warriors
Of the same, enlisted number of vacabonds
picked up in the streets of AIgiers, that were:
good for nothing. The French officers who
we're charged with organizing those battalions
saw with dismay that their recruits. rs soon az
he! had been enrolled and received the earnest
money, deserted In great numbers, and when at
he same time the war assumed widerproportions
md commenced to be considered, on the part
IT the Arabs and haybles, as holy war against
Inc intidels, the idea of enlisting indigenous
Sas relinqnishcd, and the places of the desertcrs
II those battalIons were filed by Frcnchmen-
The name "Zouaves," however, has been retained
p to this day.
The formation of corps ofinfantrv consist
ne entirely Of Indigenous was, however at ~
after day, accomplished by the organization Of 9
he "Tirailleurs Indigenous and these under
nc Rame of "Iurkos" given to them by the
'reTch army, have played a conspicuous part
the late wars of the French, especially in
taIy. Among the Zouavcs there were even
ttccn years ago only a few, ifany, Tirail-Arabs.
hat corps has been recruited since that time,
rom the best and >msst hardened soldiers, and
one { were rcceiseds those that had served
least seven Years ; - 81 pe Zouaves.
= ~ = iIiiIiii