Zouaves with lances

[major bill]

I have to wonder what a Confederate raiding force would have thought of battling a group of 12-16 year-old boys wearing Zouave uniforms and fighting with lances topped with American flags? The Confederate cavalry might have thought shooting them distasteful.


Hudson Zouaves (Hudson Michigan) Were formed in May of 1861 for boys 12-16 years old. Captain James Beach was the company commander. Hudson boys 6 to 10 also formed a company, but it soon disbands. The short lived Hudson Zouave Cadets functioned as a type of Home Guard Company. They drilled regularly and apparently grew quite proficient.

In April of 1861 they ordered new caps from J & A Herzof of Chicago. In one parade they wore full uniforms and made a 'handsome' appearance, but the exact nature of their uniform worn in this parade is not recorded. During this parade they carried lances surmounted with small American flags. The local ladies presented them with their own flag. After several months of local newspapers coverage, no further information can be found about this company and they probably disband.

Hudson Gazette, May 18 1861.

 

[Legion Para]

I have to wonder what a Confederate raiding force would have thought of battling a group of 12-16 year-old boys wearing Zouave uniforms and fighting with lances topped with American flags? The Confederate cavalry might have thought shooting them distasteful.

Confederate forces would not have attempted such a raid in the Spring of 1861. It is doubtful that such a deep raid behind enemy lines would ever have been successful at any time during the war. Union commanders would only have committed the Hudson Zouave Cadets as a last desperate measure.

 

[major bill]

It was more of a what if question. I think the only serious action in Michiagn would have been along the Canadian border if the British would have entered the war. It would probably not been possible for the British to make it far enough into Michigan to reach Hudson.

 

[John Hartwell]

This was, I think, simply a private military style club for boys -- think "boy scouts." Surely no 'official' status. It would not have been sent into action in any event.

 

[Legion Para]

This was, I think, simply a private military style club for boys -- think "boy scouts." Surely no 'official' status. It would not have been sent into action in any event.

In war anything can happen. If the Confederacy's tactical situation had been different with the larger industrial base and population, the Union might have had to call upon it's youth. Let us not forget the VMI cadets at New Market.

 

[John Hartwell]

In war anything can happen. If the Confederacy's tactical situation had been different with the larger industrial base and population, the Union might have had to call upon it's youth. Let us not forget the VMI cadets at New Market.

True, it might have been another war crime, like sending the VMI children into battle.
I will now head for the nearest shelter and await the "incoming."



EDITED to add: I was completely off-bade with this post. See posts 7 & 9 below.
Mea culpa.

 

[Frederick14Va]

The VMI Cadets were in age range of 15 to 25... Majority being 17-21.... 17-45 year olds were already serving in the regular military forces.... so the majority of them were not actually little "children" as the modern context may imply.... 17-18 year old in the 1860s were generally much more mature than their modern counterparts are...

 

[CheathamHill]

In war anything can happen. If the Confederacy's tactical situation had been different with the larger industrial base and population, the Union might have had to call upon it's youth.

If they would have had P-51 Mustangs dropping Bahamian coconuts during the Red River Campaign in 1864 then they may have had something refreshing to drink to quench their parched gullets.

 

[John Hartwell]

The VMI Cadets were in age range of 15 to 25... Majority being 17-21.... 17-45 year olds were already serving in the regular military forces.... so the majority of them were not actually little "children" as the modern context may imply.... 17-18 year old in the 1860s were generally much more mature than their modern counterparts are...

I stand corrected. Depending too much on popular images (movies, etc) -- I really should know better.
Mea culpa.

jno

 

[Reb]

The VMI Cadets were in age range of 15 to 25... Majority being 17-21.... 17-45 year olds were already serving in the regular military forces.... so the majority of them were not actually little "children" as the modern context may imply.... 17-18 year old in the 1860s were generally much more mature than their modern counterparts are...

One of my gg uncles was 15 and rode in General Forrest's Escort

 

[CheathamHill]

One of my gg uncles was 15 and rode in General Forrest's Escort

Photographic evidence points to Forrest riding alone in his Escort though....

Just having some fun. I believe there were many younger teens in CS cav units. Especially by '65

 

[major bill]

I was reading older uniform threads and still have this image in my mind of a 12 year-old boy wearing a Zoauve uniforms and carrying a lance.