Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-06-13
The Zoll-ZouS,

Richmond was yesterday thrown into q
paroxism of excitement by the arrival of
the New Orleans Zouaves-a battalion of
six hundred and thirty, as unique and pic
turesque looking Frenchmen as ever de-
lighted the oculars of Napoleon the three.
They are just from Pensacola, which they
left about eight days ago, having laid over
one day at Montgomery, Ala, and are
probably en- route for Manassas.
The volunteers were originally called for
by its Lieut.. Colonel, on the 18th of March
last, and such was the alacrity with which
the response was met, that on the 9Th of
April four hundred men started for Pensa'
cola, where they were subsequently Joined
by two more companies, making the battal'
ion complete. They have there been en-
gagged in throwing up Notifications, and are
said to have been the favorite soldiers of
Gen. Bragg. If anybody wishes to see
genuine French Zouaves, just as they look
ed in the Crimea, scrutinize these brave
fellows. They are generally small, but
wiry, muscular, active as cats, and brown
as size of sole leather. Twenty or thirty
are New Orleans Irishmen, one hundred or
Whereabouts are Swiss, and quite number
are Germans, but the majority are Ameri-
can Frenchmen. Many of them served in
the Crimea, and the whole body is ready at
this moment to storm purgatory, were the
order given to do so, if that uncomfortable
place was so full of Abolitionists that their
heads stuck out of the windows. Their
dress is the attire and material of the reg
ular French Zouave-embroidered blue
jacket, red baggy trowsers, black leather
leggns and white gaiters-the costume be-
ing surmouuted by the inevitable red cap,
which rests jauutily upon the back of their
short cropped heads
Just now, as may be expected after eight
days of travel, they look painfully dirty,
but after they have INDUCED themselves to
their ordinary ablutions, they will make
show that will wake up several ideas to the
effect that the South are able to produce the
ne plus ultra of geuiue fighting stock, in
whose knowledge of the English language
no such word as "faip' has ever made an
intrusion. Their great desire is to meet
the "pet lambs" Of the late Colonel Ellis
worth, in which we trust they will be speed
lily accommodated. If they do they will
walk through the New York rowdies like a
whirlwiud Their principal fare, since
leaving Pensacola, has been crackers, cheese
and whiskey, and they are in sad want of
more substantial aliment.
They also want knspsacks and shoes,
which will doubtless be supplied to them
before their departure for camp. Many of
them strolled through the streets during the
afternoon and attracted general attention,
but there was no public parade. They are
quartered in Glazebrook's warehouse, near
the Petersburg depot, FIVE story building;
but they disdained to come down the stairs
like ordinary mortals, and descended in
characteristic style from the windows. The
modus operandi of this performance was
something like the following: One would
hang by his hands to the window sill; a
second would slide down his back and freeze
to his heels, while the third taking one
of his smaller companions by strong nip
at the seat of his breeches, as sort of BAL
last, we suppose, would turn four or FIVE
somersaults and roll down the novel bridge
into the window of the story below. We
didn't see these gymnastics, but this is
"what they say."-Richmond Dispatch
GUNPowDER.-As gunpowder is likely
to play an important part, and WELD a great
Influence in the affairs of this continent for
awhile, we have hunted up from different
sources the following facts in relation to it.
Like some other important inventions
and discoveries, Europe probably was in.
debted to the Arabs, for the use of gun.
powder in military operations. They used
it in some land and naval operations as ear.
ly as the thirteenth century. In the four,
teenth century, the Moors used it before
Alicant and Aleesiras. Its first discovery
dates few centuries earlier than this. Its
chemical composition is accurately detailed
in book published in tie 9th century. II
was first used with Artillery in Germany
about 1865, aud soon afterwards came ltc
be known all over Europe The introduction
of Gunpowder soon changed completely the
modes Of warfare.
Gunpowderisa mixture of Saltpetre, Sui
phur and Charcoal The composition va
ries slightly in the proportions in different
countries. The Gunpowder of the United
States consists of nitre IS, sulphur l2-5
aud charcoal 1875 parts.
The ni.re is obtained in this country
= from saltpetre caves.
The sulphur of commerce is mainly oh
tanned from the volcanic districts of Italy
where it is thrown up by an extensive ma
tural process of sublimaton.
I 1t may be obtained arti6cially from sui
phur earth, or iron or copper pyrites. 1t il
separated from its connection with the eartt
; ; or metal by heat in a suitable apparatus TO
collecting and condensing it. There is 1
large amount of copper pyrites at the Duel
: Town mines, and Iron pyrites abound
throughout this country.
The charcoal may be obtained from th'
poplar, suuach, black alder, chesnut O.
willow. 1t is prepared by calcening tn
wood in cast-iron cylinders, arranged in
furnace
The explosive force of gunpowder result
from the sudden conversion of the solid con
stituents into gaseous state.-JacksonciN
(Aia.) Republican.