Des Arc semi-weekly citizen., 1861-08-14


 WHAT ZoUAvE THINKS OF A MISSISSIPPI following:
 One of tn" New York Fire Zouaves, who was wounded at the battle of Manassas on Sunday last, stalwart, hardy fellow, of con- siderable intelligence, passed through this city yesterday en route homeward, remaining here several hours waiting for the cars. He, of course, has the privilege, like all others, to tell his own tale, without experimenting. for the present at least, successful contradiction From him obtained thrilling narrative of rencontre between his regiment and regi- ment of MississippanS.
 After the battle had been raging for some hours, according to the account of this Zoua- van hero, he saw an immense body of Mis- sissppians, accompanied by some (beeved to be) Baltimorians, rush furiously over the Con- federate ramparts They at once saw the con spicuous uniform of the Zouaves and made at them. The Mississippians, after approaching near enough, sent terrible volley from their rifles into the Zouave ranks. This done, they threw their guns aside and charged onward until each contending enemy met face to face and hand to hanc in ter ible combat.
 The Mississippians, having discarded their rifles after the first fire, fell back upon their Bowie knives. These were of huge dimep- sions, eighteen to twenty inches long, heavy in proportion, and sharp or two edged at the point Attached to the handle was also lasso. some eight to ten feet in length, with one end securely wound round the wrist.
 My informant says when these terrific war riors approached to within reach of their las so, not waiting to come ip bayonet range, they threw forward their Bowie knives at the Zouaves after the fashion of experienced har- boomers striking at a whale.
 Eran a,,tl thaJ, ,,I, orol, | through soldiers body, and were ielked out. ready to strike again whilst the first victim sunk into death. On several occasions, the terrible Bowie knife was transfxed in a Zouave and the Zouave's bayonet in a Missis- sippian, both impaled ana falling together. So skillfully was this deadly instrument handled by the Mississippians that he could project it to the full lasso length, kill his victim, with draw 1t again with a sudden impulse, and catch the handle unerringlv.
 If by any miSchance the Bowie knife missed its aim, broke the cord fastening it to the arm, or fell to the earth, revolvers were next resorted to and used with similar dexteritv. The hand to hand closing in with both pistol and Bowie knife, cutting, slashing, carving, and shooting almost in the same moment. was awful beyond description. Blood gushed from hundreds of wounds, until, amid death. pitt ful Sroans and appalling sights, it staunched the very earth. My Zouave champion says himself and comrades did hard fighting, stood up manfuly to the murderous conflict. but never before knewwhat undaunted bravery and courage meant.
 He felt no further ambition to engage in such rencontres. Having been shot through the wrist by revolver, after escaping the fearful Mississippi weapons, and disabled from further active participation in the strug- gle, he willingly preferred to reap the glory won, convinced that to fight against Missssip- plans with Bowe knives and pistols, after re- ceiving volley of their sharp-cracking ri- hes, is no ordinary fun.