The weekly Butte record., 1861-05-18
Wilson's Union Battalion Of Zouaves.

At seven o'clock last evening, the Union
Battalion of Zouaves, Col. William Wilson,
held formal muster and rollcall at their head
quarters in Tammany Hall. There were 95l
men of the battalion present, the occasion was
made striklngly impressive by the extraordina-
ry proceedings which were had. The men
were ranged around the hall three Deep with
Col. Wilson and the other officers in the centre
of the room.
The men had all clad themselves in gray
shirts and pants which have been provided for
their uniform, which is completed by COM
mon brown felt hat, brogans and leather belt.
They carry short knife about seven inches in
length, between sort of bowie knife and
butcher knife in shape. Many also have re-
volvers, of which it is intended that each shall
be armed with one OR two, as well as a sluDg-
shot and MIME rife. All the men being ranged
against the walls Colonel Wilson with drawn
sabre in one hand and the American flag in
the other, stood forth uncovered, and addressed
his men amidst deafening cheers.
After short adjuratiOn to the flag, for which
he declared his devotion, he called upon all to
kneel and swear with him. Waving the ban
ner and fourlshing his sabre, he knelt on one
knee. All present knelt with him, and repeat
ed the oath which he put to them, to support
the flag and never finch from its path through
blood or death. He said he would lead them
to Baltimore, and they would march through
it or die at which they all arose with tre-
mendous yell, flung up their hats, and brandish
ed their gllttering knives amidst prolonged and
frantic cheers. He then denounced death to
the Baltimore traitor SecessionlSts and Plug
Uglies, and said they would leave monument
of their bones in the streets of Baltimore
Amid yells of Death to the Plug Uglies," he
Illustrated with his sword how they should hew
their way and said. though he should be the
first man slain, he had but one thing to ask,
which was that each of his followers should Sc
cure his man and avenge his blood. That they
would do this, he again called upon them to
swear, and marching around the hall, holding
up the flag and the sword, and accompanied by
two officers, the one on his right bearing
banner inscribed
THE UNION BATTALION OF zOUAvEs.
DEATH TO sECEssIoNIsTs.
The other officer on mis- left holding up in both
hands, a bowie knife and revolver, Wilson
shouted to them to swear and they responded
with shouts of " Blood "" Blood !" i" Blood !"
ave swear" etc.
The band then struck in with the Star
Spangled Banner" which they all sang in cho-
rus as we'll as also " Dixie's' Land,' altered to
read with a few variations
I" [ wish | was in Baltimore,
Away, away" etc.
The main headquarters of Colonel Wilson's
regiment is at Tammany, but there are Others
at 61S Broadway and one or two other places,
including force which yesterday approached
three thousand enrolled. The men are the
most determined set of men we ever saw. The
officers, however, have been nearly all profes
sional soldiers either in Mexico, Nicaragua or
elsewhere. The drill appears to be the most
promiscuous imaginable, and dangerous, too.-
Ne1- Tnrk Hernd AnrlI 3hfh