As someone from Germany who has always identified militarism with Prussia, the fascination of Americans, both Union and Confederates, for Zouave uniforms, Zouave drill etc. is somehow a little bit odd. I assume that given the French military achievements in the Crimea, in northern Italy, in Mexico many Americans (as many Europeans) saw the second french empire as a role model in military terms. The Prussian victory over Fance in 1870/71 came as a surprise for many.
Many thanks!From the Revolutionary War through the Franco-Prussian War the U.S. Army essentially followed French military thought. From the Franco-Prussian War to the beginning of the First World War the influence was Prussian/German. Between the First and Second World Wars the influence was British. Since World War II we've essentially expected everyone else to follow our model.
Regarding Zouave and Chasseur influences, the uniforms were neat, the drill was snappy, and the militia and volunteers who constituted the vast majority of both armies were impressed. I belong to Wheat's Tigers in the North-South Skirmish Association. The ladies love the Zouave uniform. Interestingly, many state militia units continued to use Zouave or Chasseur dress uniforms up to the Spanish American War.
Regards,
Don Dixon
By 1860 Prussia was not considered a great military power. The only real fighting their army had done again a regular enemy since 1815 was a small force involved against Denmark in 1848-49... and they did not do well.As someone from Germany who has always identified militarism with Prussia, the fascination of Americans, both Union and Confederates, for Zouave uniforms, Zouave drill etc. is somehow a little bit odd. I assume that given the French military achievements in the Crimea, in northern Italy, in Mexico many Americans (as many Europeans) saw the second french empire as a role model in military terms. The Prussian victory over Fance in 1870/71 came as a surprise for many.
I would argue that French influences was not that great during the revolutionary war. Sure they send arms and supplies, and later regular army units.From the Revolutionary War through the Franco-Prussian War the U.S. Army essentially followed French military thought. From the Franco-Prussian War to the beginning of the First World War the influence was Prussian/German. Between the First and Second World Wars the influence was British. Since World War II we've essentially expected everyone else to follow our model.
I forgot to mention another reason why some units were uniformed as chasseurs. They may not have had too much choice. In the fall of 1861 Federal Minister Resident [ambassador] Dayton in Paris purchased 10,000 complete sets of ready-to-wear chasseur pattern uniforms and equipment in France which had been requested by Brigadier General Montgomery C. Meigs, the Federal Army Quartermaster General, for $500,000.
For the "correct" uniform geeks, I don't have a description of the uniforms and equipment. But, clearly French manufactured chasseur uniforms and accoutrements would be historically correct for early 1862.
Regards,s
Don Dixon