Zouave Soldier

[JeffHendricks]

The most recent album to come in had a number of soldiers. A couple were identified including the Zouave Soldier. Any idea, by looking at him what branch he was in. There is also a sailor unidentified. I will put all of the military in this album below. There is an 1880's cabinet photo of the funeral flowers that was probably for the sailor.

Find A Grave Memorial For Wm. Spaulding

Find A Grave Memorial for Tom Milchrist

 

[Dan Kohli]

Just for clarification, you are asking what branch the zouave soldier is?

 

[JeffHendricks]

I couldn't come up with the correct wording when I asked it. Actually, what I meant to ask, is he actually in an infantry or is maybe he a cadet. Google searching the Zouave uniform, they mostly have stripes down the legs or nothing. This guy has the fancy stitching. His name is Henry Peterson, but lots of them served.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I´ve never seen this zouave uniform before, and it doesn´t have many of the elements that make up the traditional zouave costume: fez, turban, sash, vest, short jacket with the rondels. It looks more like the French chausser uniform with the wide trousers and leggings. I have to admit, this is a very attractive and snappy uniform. It is definitely and infantry uniform. Most military schools kept with the grey cadet uniform tradition, so I´d posit that this guy´s unit actually wore this, at least for a while. Do you have any idea of Henry Peterson´s service record?

 

[JeffHendricks]

No. This album is really all over the place, although most sitters are from Galva Illinois, and mostly unidentified. I looked at NPS and there are many Henry Peterson that served. The two soldiers that were identified are not related that I can find, but a deeper dive at Ancestry might produce more results than Find A Grave.

Jeff Hendricks
www.ancestryphotostore.com

 

[JeffHendricks]

Also, a sad story about 2nd Lt. Spaulding at Find A Grave.

LT William Lee Spaulding (1834-1864) - Find a...

Lieutenant Spalding.Co. G, 112 Ref. Illinois Volunteers Lieut. William L. Spalding was born in Norwich, Conn., July 7th 1834. His father was Dr. John W. Spalding a native of Connecticut and in August, 1833 married Melissa D. Lee, who also was a native of the same state. In 1839, the family moved...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Dan Kohli]

If Mr. Peterson was a cadet of some military school, than I don't recognize which one he belonged to based on his uniform. I agree with 7thWisconsin that it has more of a chausser felling about it.

 

[JeffHendricks]

Well, after a little research with Bing Visual Search, I think I found what I was looking for. And it fits the correct area the album is from.

Chicago Light Infantry

Carte de visite by Edwin L. Brand of Chicago, Ill.
The uniform worn by this soldier is believed to be the same style adopted by the Chicago Light Infantry, the first company formed in Chicago after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Of note are the light blue trousers adorned with a large modified Austrian knot, and an oval belt plate festooned with what appears to be an outstretched eagle and 13 stars. The company was mustered into federal service as Company D of the 19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The regiment served for three years and participated in numerous engagements, including the Battles of Stones River, Tenn., and Chickamauga, Ga.

 

[Dan Kohli]

Well, after a little research with Bing Visual Search, I think I found what I was looking for. And it fits the correct area the album is from.

Chicago Light Infantry
View attachment 544592Carte de visite by Edwin L. Brand of Chicago, Ill.
The uniform worn by this soldier is believed to be the same style adopted by the Chicago Light Infantry, the first company formed in Chicago after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Of note are the light blue trousers adorned with a large modified Austrian knot, and an oval belt plate festooned with what appears to be an outstretched eagle and 13 stars. The company was mustered into federal service as Company D of the 19th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The regiment served for three years and participated in numerous engagements, including the Battles of Stones River, Tenn., and Chickamauga, Ga.

Neat! Thanks for sharing.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I´d wear that uniform in a hot minute.

 

[Dan Kohli]

I´d wear that uniform in a hot minute.

I second that.