Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-28
The Frspeh Ar,,y-Drin of the zsuave.

The Frsneh ArEny-DriII Of she Eaunves
Paris paper, referring to the last nanus-
vers Of the infantry of the guard in the Chaggp
de Mars, speaks OF the various notifications
that have been introduced at vsrious times into
the old regulations of 1881 The commence
ment of the changes in question was forma-
tion in two ranks instead Of three Then came
the introduction of percussion locks and of riflad
barrels, the diminuiion of the weight carried by
the soldier, and finally the full development of
the soldiers activity, and Of the mobility of mass
es of troops. The double quick or running
step, known as the pas gyIanastiqus and the
bsyonet exercise, have been found greatIy 70
promote the supPleness aud activity of the sol
dior, and they have been definitely admitted
into the regulations Of the 18th April, 1862, as
principles of military education The pas Gy1,-
nGstiqHs, which Is neither more or less than a
steady moderate run, improves the soldiers wind
and, by practice, can be kept up for long time
1t enables bodies of infantry to transfer them
selves, in action, to any part of tho field where
they may be needed in an sxtTomely short time
arriving in good order and in good wind There
can be no doubt of the vglus of this kind of
exercise, bat it must manifestly be constantly
kept up, in peace time ss vel ss in war, since
few months discontinusuce would neuGraliaa
mneh OF the beneft of previous training
The bsyonet drill by giving the soldier conf
II adroitly, furnishes him with a powerful means
Of attack, as we'll as precious means Of defense
in case OF his finding himself surrounded by
several advsrsaries. Considered, finally. as a
basis OF the instruction Of the recruit, the gym
nastic step aud the bayonet-fenciug rid him OF
the original slowness and want of agility of the
peasant who ia being Transformed into a soldier
Tho two great principles established are ,hs de-
velopmeng of the agility of the soldier, and the
mobility Of masses which is attained as its re-
suit. This is all our infantry, apt for rapid
moyenAuts, which, Joined to the national
dash (eIan) Of our troops, may produce the
gTestest results.
The improvements intro 1uced into the arm =
of so bsllicose q nstion as the French cannet but
be Of interest, ard worthy Of noting by all other
European powers. The tactics of tho 2 ,uaves
especially, branch of the French infantry
which, in ease of long and serious war would
be likely to be largely augmented are of par
tculsrly formidable nature to troops that are not
prepared for them, or which do not possess in
perfection that cslnness and solidity which hieh
discipline ard long serviee alone can completely
beStow. And France has alwsysin Africa forty
thousand men, whom it would lake bat little
mora than change of uniform to convert into
dausyes. A recent writer on the AlgsTian
army. made the following remarks on the
Z9nsves:
The superiority Of the Frenoh soldiers is in
great part to be attributed to the intelligent
manner IN which they fight Among them, the
Zouaves have acquired special reputation FOR
spontaneity Of ae,ion; they srs the artists fthe
battle teld. The part they play in an engage
Enent recessitates particular qualities they are
specially Spt at surprise, eOups dc ,aais, and in
those ac3s of daring which often decide the fate
Of the day. They are the advanced gusrd the
heads OF columns of an army Their favorite
arm is the bayonet; in musketry they have bUs
moderate confidence so many balls have whis-
tied harmless by them that they dsspiselead and
give their preferences to steel With the hayo
net one is surer of the result. The favoTite iae-
Tics of the 4 uaves have been thus summed up
by General Clers, "a distinguished French Officer,
who Commanded regiment of Zouaves OF ths
sapture of Sebastopol) =" They spread them
selves In skirmishipg eTder, get as near as pos
sible to the enemy, bewilder him by one or two
elosslvolleys, and attack with the bayonet, turn
ing his tanks at the same time"
Success has almost invariably crowned this
maneuver, although there might be serious OBJ
jscti0ns to itwith other men than Zouaves IL
fact, when they thus dash forward they ere ais
persed in disorder, and it seems impossible 10
rally them in case of attack by cavalry. But
theseTegimenta possess such an intelligence of
war, such surprising rapidity Of evolutions, 50
great an individual solidity, that line of skirm-
ishers, scattered over a considerable extent of
ground, transforms itself into a square in the
space Of few minutes The officers, who have
tried their men aud know their value, leave them
the utmost liberty possible. Instead of thwaTt.
ing their formidable impetus By uselessly dress
ing them in line they content themselves in
leading them against the feeblest point Of that q
the enemy. Moreover, the Zopavss themselves