The original Zouaves were native north African troops serving in the French Army in the 1830s. They wore distinctive uniforms. The uniforms usually consisted of fez and turban, very baggy pants, a vest, a short jacket that was cut away from the top with only on button or clasp at the throat and a sash. They also wore leggings. The uniforms were usually brightly colored and had much trim and braid and many brass buttons on them. These soldiers fought in North Africa for French interests. Later Zouaves fought in the Crimea and Italy in the 1850s. These troops were well trained and disciplined and were famous for great feats on the battlefield, and often mischief and rowdiness off the battlefield. Prior to the Civil War the "Zouave fever" spread to America. The colorful uniforms and fancy drill caught on with many American militia units. This was particularly true after Col. Elmer Ellsworth took his Chicago Zouave Cadets on a tour of North America, challenging militia units to drill competition. By the end of the Civil War most Zouave uniforms had disappeared due to the Army not wanting to replace them. There were however units that maintained the Zouave uniforms throughout the war, and actually were given Zouave uniforms to recognize the bravery of the unit. Zouaves disappeared at the end of the Civil War in the US, except for veteran's groups. They continued on in the French Army until World War I when the ability to blend into the battlefield required more traditional green uniforms.
http://philazou.home.mindspring.com/page7.html
Company H of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry "Collis' Zouaves" at Petersburg, Va., August 1864.
Another photo of Company H.
Company G, 114th Pennsylvania Infantry "Collis' Zouaves" at Petersburg, Va.
Another photo of Company G.
Lt. Colonel George A.G. Coppens (seated) with his younger brother Captain Marie Alfred Coppens (standing) of Coppens’ 1st Battalion, Louisiana Zouaves, March 1861.
Coppens' 1st Battalion, Louisiana Zouaves taken in either New Olreans or Pensacola, 1861. Lt. Col. Coppens is standing among the officers at right (second from right) and a vivandiere is seen at left.
Francis E. Brownell of the 11th New York Infantry "Fire Zouaves."
Company E of the 5th New York Infantry "Duryee's Zouaves" standing at attention in camp at Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1861.
Staged image of Zouaves loading wounded men onto the ambulances.
A sailor and a zouave, the latter likely a member of Duryee’s Zouaves, 5th New York Infantry.
Studio portrait of members of the 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins' Zouaves," 1861.
Corporal in the 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins' Zouaves."
Pvt. William B. Van Syckle, Co. E, 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins’ Zouaves." Mortally wounded at Roanoke Island, Feb. 8, 1862.
Soldier in 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves," raised and uniformed by Abram Sanders Piatt of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Two unidentified soldiers in 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Two unidentified members of the 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Unidentified soldier of Company F, 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Private William Keane, 74th New York Infantry "Fifth Excelsior Regiment."
Four soldiers of the 146th Pennsylvania Infantry. David W. Allen, Chauncey B. Smith, Jesse C. Johnson, and John Duckworth posed for this photograph while on duty in Elmira, N.Y. in 1863.
From an excellent article on their uniform here: https://www.libertyrifles.org/research/regiments/146th-new-york
Sergeant Henry G. Lillibridge of Co. H, 10th Rhode Island Infantry.
http://philazou.home.mindspring.com/page7.html
Company H of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry "Collis' Zouaves" at Petersburg, Va., August 1864.
Another photo of Company H.
Company G, 114th Pennsylvania Infantry "Collis' Zouaves" at Petersburg, Va.
Another photo of Company G.
Lt. Colonel George A.G. Coppens (seated) with his younger brother Captain Marie Alfred Coppens (standing) of Coppens’ 1st Battalion, Louisiana Zouaves, March 1861.
Coppens' 1st Battalion, Louisiana Zouaves taken in either New Olreans or Pensacola, 1861. Lt. Col. Coppens is standing among the officers at right (second from right) and a vivandiere is seen at left.
Francis E. Brownell of the 11th New York Infantry "Fire Zouaves."
Company E of the 5th New York Infantry "Duryee's Zouaves" standing at attention in camp at Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1861.
Staged image of Zouaves loading wounded men onto the ambulances.
A sailor and a zouave, the latter likely a member of Duryee’s Zouaves, 5th New York Infantry.
Studio portrait of members of the 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins' Zouaves," 1861.
Corporal in the 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins' Zouaves."
Pvt. William B. Van Syckle, Co. E, 9th New York Infantry "Hawkins’ Zouaves." Mortally wounded at Roanoke Island, Feb. 8, 1862.
Soldier in 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves," raised and uniformed by Abram Sanders Piatt of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Two unidentified soldiers in 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Two unidentified members of the 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Unidentified soldier of Company F, 34th Ohio Infantry "Piatt Zouaves."
Private William Keane, 74th New York Infantry "Fifth Excelsior Regiment."
Four soldiers of the 146th Pennsylvania Infantry. David W. Allen, Chauncey B. Smith, Jesse C. Johnson, and John Duckworth posed for this photograph while on duty in Elmira, N.Y. in 1863.
From an excellent article on their uniform here: https://www.libertyrifles.org/research/regiments/146th-new-york
Sergeant Henry G. Lillibridge of Co. H, 10th Rhode Island Infantry.
Last edited: