The Placer herald., 1861-05-18

AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN TAMMANY
HALL-THE BILLY WILSON ZoUAvEs SWEAR
ING ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.-The Billy
Wilson Zouaves a new regiment Just formed
in New York is an extraordinary company.
Wilson is an ex Alderman ofstrong shoulder
striking proclivites, and diamond, in the
rough, of the first water, so far as fighting is
concerned The regiment had meeting at
Tammany Hall, on the 25th inst. The oc-
casion was made striking y impressive by
the extraordinary proce edings which were
had. The men were ranged around the hall
three deep, with Colonel Wilson and the
other officers in the center of the room.
The men had all clad themselves in the gray
shirts and pants which had been provided
for their uniform, which is completed by a
common brown felt hat, brogans and leather
belt. They carry short knife about seven
inches in length, between a sort OF bowie
knife and butcher knife. Many also have
revolvers, of which it is intended that
each shall be armed with one or two, as well
as a slung shot and Minnie rifle. All the
men being ranged against the walls, Colonel
Wilson, with drawn sabre in one land and
the American flag in the other, stood forth
uncovered and addressed his men amidst
deafening cheers.
After short adjuralion Of the flag, for
which he declared his devotion, he called
upon all to kneel and swear with him. Way
ing the banner and flourishing his sabre, he
knelt on one knee. All present knelt with
him and repeated the oath which he put TO
them to support the flag, and never finch
from its path through blood or death. lie
they would march through it or die; at which
they all arose with a tremendous yell, flung
up their hats and brandished their gliteripg
knives amidst prolonged and frantic cheers.
He then denounced death to the Ballimor
traitor secessionists and Plug Uges, and
said he would leave a mountain of their
bones in the street, OF Baltimore. Amid
yels of death to the Plug Uolies," he
illustrated 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 secure
his man and avepge his blood. That they
would do this he again called upon them
to swear, and marching round the hall, hold
inc up the flag and the sword, and accom-
panied bv two officers the one on his right
bearing banner inscribed: "Ihe Union
Battalion Of Zouaves-Death to Secession
lists" The other officer on his left holding
up, in both hands, bowie knife and revol
yer, Wilson shouted to them to swear. and
they responded with shouts of "blood,"
"blood," blood" "We swear" &c
Our readers can draw their own conclu
sions from the above as to the amount of
patriotism that actuated the Billy Wilson
ZouWes. For the credit of the American
name, these proceedings should have never
found publicity in the press. Such orgies
would have better betitted heathens, than
Americans actuaed by the promptngs of a
genuine patriotism to uphold the flag ard
Constitution Of their country. If these men,
when in active service, act in a spirit they
have indicated they will disgrace their coun-
try, and every teaching of civilization.
GREAT UNION MEETING AT SAN FRANCISCO.
On Saturday last the citizens of San Fran
cisco held a great Union demonstration -
business was mainly suspended, and all
classes united in maniiesting their devotion
to the Union bequea,hed US by the men of
glorious revolutionary memory. The city
was gaily decorated with national flags,
amounting in the aggregate to thousands.
The military aud fire companies, and civic
societies were out in strength. Several
stands for speaking were occupied, from
which men Of all political parties spoke in
words appropriate to the occasion. The
speeches were mostly in good taste and feel
ing.