The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-08-23
THE CAL EDON IA n.
atouth department.
r,n,,ualion of War Terms.

HTp
Iouave soldiers were originally found in Al
ge,ia. in Africa. They were chiefly Arabs
and Moors. The French conquered Algeria,
and the Emperor found the Zouaves such
desperate fighting men. and their dress anu
drill 50 admirably adapted for service, that
he took them into his army, and also had re-
yiments of his own French soldiers equipped
in the same manner. and instructed in their
tactics. The late Col Ellsworth, of Chicago,
having witnessed the soldiers in the French
army. introduced the stylA into this country.
He formed and instructed company OF Zou-
ayes. al d then visited several parts of the l.
nj,ed States and gave exhibitions of their
proficiency This led to the forming of new
companies: and there are now thousands OF
these men engaged in the war. The dress
Of the /ouayc is simple but admirable 1t
consists o: loose flannel Jacket looped to-
c.e.her at the neck, and wide loose trousers,
also of flannel, gathered in band above the
auh.e. Underneath there is colored flannel
>hlt Portions Of the dress are trimmed
with colored braid. according to the fancy of
the various regiments. The feet are encased
in a peculiar kind of shoe, Of light color, in
tended expressly for marching, and some re-
giments have leather leggins extending from
the shoe 70 the bottom of the trousers. The
lead is covered with flannel cap,otten with
out any front piece, and with a large tassel
hanging behind. The whole dress is light
and loose. and enables the wearer to move
Freely in any direction.
The drill o.! the Zouaves requires greater
activity than the ordinary eyolutions OF sol
ders They are taught to load and fire in
almost every position, kneel:ng, lying down,
or on the full run They are also trained in
gvmnastic exercises 50 that well disciplined
company will mount a wall without ladders,
by climbing upon each others shoulders
Their dill with the bayonet makes them al
most invunerable against the attacks Of
cavalry. The Zouayes are usually
armed with the Mimic rite
This is Ike the common rife, except in the
construction Of the ball. The ordinary mus
hyt is smoo,h-bored and is loaded with
cartridge consisting of a small paper tube fill
81 with nowirr and having round ball fas-
tened to the end. In loading. the soldier
bites off hi, Of the papar, pours the powder
into the barrel and then rams down the ball
and empty cartridge paper which serves as
v,ddino The rifle hail was formerly made
ro,nl Ike .be muske, ball. and By forcing il
dow the grooved barrel. il, sides were fitted
into 1bp grooves of The rifle The Mimic ball
Is con;c,l or nointcd in front, and the back
,,ort : c,,, with grooycs cr rinos. The hack
end i hollow. and filled with powder. 1t
sim, into tb, rifle easily. but when the piece
!, fired the nowdrr EXPANDS the lead Of the
bn,i,w n,rt and forces + into tbe grooves of
tht barrel This causes # to rotate in its
nassau. outward tn, hill was named Min
r from is French inventor Contaio MIME
Clly,s Rite. is 50 constructed that it is
loaded At the breech. The curved metal plate
on ,ho rnior side of tho stock called the
Guard. .urnS downward and opens chamber
~ -ha ro,~ of,he bor,o, into which the charge
< sInncJ This rifle can be loaded very "a
,,;drv. :, ;s ,nucb rsad bv troons ON horse
had, or cavalry
yyaL,,l..1t : how, ro;n.od stool IN.