The San Francisco call., 1897-02-07
AN ORIGINAL ZOUHVE.
An Interesting Sketch of the War
Experience of Louis James.

y.
variedly picturesque career has been
that OF Louis James, the actor. Louis
parents we're anxious about his future.
and as in the case of all families had
formed plans for his career-plans that
all miscarried, by the way. Mrs. James
wanted i'm to follow the church. Her
father was Bishop OF Illinois and she had
tond dreams that her stalwart son should
follow in his grandfather's steps. His
father came OF family of lawyers and
naturally wanted to see him read law.
They were counting without fate-that
meddlesome arbiter who spoils so many
well-iald plans.
While attending school in Chicago
Louis met Major Ellsworth, founder of
the famous Ellsworth Zouaves, the first
company of its Kind organized in America
and one that was to play quite an i'm
portant role in the events of its country.
Louis was fine, big fellow for his age,
and clean and strong of limb. Naturally
the company captivated his Imagination
and he loved to watch the drills and eyo-
lutions of this band of athletic Young
men.
One day Major Ellsworth told him there
was vacancy in the company, and IN
vited him to join. Louis, who had
watched them often and was a natural
athlete, soon excelled all his companions
In the manual of srms and those athletic
practices which distinguished the corps.
He was soon the crack drilIsman and
'show" man of the company. At times
war rumors were rife, and the war spirit
blazed out. Major Ellsworth took the
company for tour of the country, and its
magnificent work, brilliant skirmish drill
ing and general bearing was the means of
starting amateur Zouave com panies from
one end of the country to the other.
Their lightning execution of the most
complicated tactics evoked unfailing en-
thusiasm aud helped to foster the war
like spirit which had grasped the Ma
ton with a gathering hand. After this
tour of the country Louis was. sent on a
visit to Binghamton, n. Y, where his
fathers family lived. His fame as an
Ellsworth had preceded him, and he was
welcomed by delegation of young men,
who begged him to organize a zouave
com pany. The first meeting of this band
of brave young spirits was held in the
town hall, and the city was requisitioned
for arms and accouterments The city
could not provide them, but petitioned
the Governor of the State for the arms.
Before the State was able to recognize
the com pany, Mr.. James was compelled to
leave 10 join the Ellsworth Zouaves in
Boston, where they were to give a series
of drills and exhibitions. Then ne went
back home to Chicago. The James Zouaves
became the nucleus around which was
made UP the Forty-seventh New York In
fantry, and in recognition OF his work Mr.
James was gazetted with the breyet OF
major. At that time James father had
removed to Washington, where his friend
Lincoln, had secured him an office in the
Department of Justice. When the Forty
seventh New York Infantry arrived there,
Louis, who had not dared tell his father of
his entering the army, donned his regi-
mentals and took his place at the head of
his regiment. The blow struck the elder
James with particular weight. He was
passionately fond of his son and seriously
opposed to his entering the army. He
moved all the powers within reach and
secured the notification of the commis-
sion.
Louis was equally disappointed, being
resolved to serve his country on the bat
tleield. Soon after thwarted in his de-
termination to join the New York regi-
ment in which he had been gazetted he
ran away and enlisted as private in an
artillery regiment. also from New York.
He served in this regiment in the Army of
the Tennessee, and was afterward as
signed to the quartermaster's department
of the same corps and stationed in Louis
vile, which was the recruiting headquar-
ters for the army. 1t was here that his
love for the stage became the absorbing
dream of his life. He had the good for
tune to meet Barney Macauley, then man.
ager of the Louisville Theater Stock Com
pany, and the young soldier was one day
accepted for small parts in that famous
organization, and thus began his stage
career.
His first public appearance was made in
"Mazeppa," and as he facetiously re-
marked recently it was the most grateful
part he ever played. for all he said vas,
"I thank you, my Lord"
6SxS0, fine white blankets So, worth $8 so.