ZOUAVE UNITS IN THE UNION ARMY 1861 1865

ZOUAVE UNITS IN THE UNION ARMY 1861 - 1865

Origins of the Zouaves n n Warriors of the Zouaoua tribe from Algeria and Morocco Traditional source of soldiers for the Ottoman Empire before 1830 Joined with the French Army in 1830 Uniform of short jacket, vest, baggy trousers, 12 foot sash, leggings, greaves, fez or turban

French Zouaves n n 1852 – Emperor Napoleon III created three French Zouave regiments Recruited only native Frenchmen Algerians/Moroccans formed into units known as Tirailleurs Algeriens Known as “Turcos”, they distinguished themselves in light blue Zouave uniforms

“Turco” Zouave

French Zouaves in the Crimean War n n 20 Sep 1854: Battle of Alma • Captured Russian artillery after scaling a steep ridge 5 Nov 1854 – Battle at Inkermann • Heavy losses repelling Russians 7 Jun 1855 – Siege of Sebastopol • 500 fell taking Russian earthworks 8 Sep 1855 – Battle of Malakoff • Marshal Mac. Mahon led 1 st Zouaves that captured the Russian position

French Zouaves in War n n French Zouaves gained fame with the bayonet Reputation equaled the Highlanders of the British Army Fought against the Austrians in 1859 in the Italian campaign Gained a reputation in the “Mexican Adventure” in the late 1860 s

Imperial French Zouaves n n n 1855 – Napoleon created an Imperial Guard from best of the other three 1 st Regiment – Red Tombeau (False Pocket) 2 nd Regiment – White Tombeau 3 rd Regiment – Blue Tombeau Imperial Guard - Yellow Tombeau

Emperor Napoleon III’s Imperial Guard

Brigadier General Philip Kearny n n n 1837 – Appointed 2 LT in the 1 st US Dragoons 1839 – 1 LT assigned to French Cavalry School 1840 - Fought with French Chasseurs d’Afrique in Algiers 1840 – 1846 – Aide-de-Camp to Generals-in-Chief, US Army Alexander Macomb and Winfield Scott 1846 – 1848 Served in the Mexican war • Lost his left arm

Brigadier General Philip Kearny n n 1859 - Served in Napoleon III’s Imperial Guard • Fought at Solferino, Italy • Decorated with the French Legion of Honor Returned at the outbreak of Civil War • Appointed a BG of NJ Volunteers 1 Sep 1862 - KIA at 2 nd Bull Run FT Phil Kearny on the Bozeman Trail, Banner WY

Captain George B. Mc. Clellan n n Assigned to be an observer during the Crimean War Recognized the French Zouaves as fierce and elite troops Encouraged the acceptance of French military uniforms and customs Other French influences were the Kepi (cap) and the Minié ball

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth n n n Fascinated by the 7 th NY State Militia Law clerk of Abraham Lincoln in Chicago Self taught military officer Become a COL in the Chicago NG Cadets Formed the United States Zouave Cadets • Issued four sets of uniforms n Nationally known as the best drill team in the United States

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth n Strict moral discipline on his Zouaves • • n No alcohol No gambling No billiards No acts “unbecoming to a gentleman” No French Zouave would have joined!

COL Ellsworth and the U. S. Zouave Cadets

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth n n n Challenged any regular or militia unit within the US and Canada Personally financed an 1860 tour of 19 Northern East Coast cities Performed for President James Buchanan Outstanding drill unit became the standard for all militia units Ellsworth’s portrait also stirred women!

United States Zouaves Chicago newspapers reported: “A Zouave is a fellow who can climb a greased pole feet first, carrying a barrel of pork in his teeth – that is a Zouave!” “A fellow who can take a five shooting revolver in each hand knock the spots out of the ten of diamonds at 80 paces, turning somersaults all the time and firing every shot in the air – that is a Zouave!”

Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth n n Disbanded the U. S. Zouave Cadets due to lack of funds Joined the law firm of Lincoln • Campaigned for him in 1860 n n Lobbied for the position of Chief, National Militia Bureau Received an appointment as a 2 LT in the Army in 1861

Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves n n Resigned and returned to New York to raise the first Zouave unit Ellsworth stated • “I want the New York firemen for there are no more effective men in the country and none with whom I can do so much. ” n n Irish firemen volunteered in large numbers However, 9 th New York, Hawkin’s Zouaves, first unit formed 23 Apr 1861

Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves

Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves n n n 29 Apr 1861 - 11 th New York Volunteer Infantry Boarded steamer Baltic for Washington in May 1861 7 May 1861 - Regiment was housed inside the unfinished House of Representatives n Using ropes, many swung from the top of the unfinished Capitol rotunda

Ellsworth’s Fire Zouaves n n “Purchased” food, drink and boots and charged all to President Lincoln! Stole a fire engine and paraded it around Washington City! Burned an effigy of Jefferson Davis and started a fire! Ellsworth was furious about their misbehavior!

Willard’s Hotel Zouaves redeemed themselves by putting out a fire near Willard’s Hotel

COL Ellsworth’s Death n n Led the 11 th New York into Alexandria, VA on 24 May 1861 Attempted to remove the Stars and Bars from the Marshall House Tavern Ellsworth rushed into the Tavern and up the stairs to tear down the flag The owner, James Jackson, shot Ellsworth as he walked down the stairs

COL Ellsworth’s Death n n n Shotgun slug hit his Baltimore City Guard Fireman’s Badge CPL Francis E. Brownell shot Jackson in the head and bayoneted him Jackson became a Southern martyr Brownell received a commission as a 2 LT 26 Jan 1877 – Received the Medal of Honor for killing Jackson

COL Elmer E. Ellsworth’s Death 1 st Union Zouave officer killed in the war

CPL (2 LT) Francis E. Brownell

Union Zouave Units by State n n n CA: 8 units CT: None DC: 1 unit DE: 1 unit IA: 2 units IL: 11 units IN: 20 units KS: 2 units MA: 11 units ME: 2 units MI: 8 units MN: 1 unit n n n MO: 6 units NE: 1 unit NH: None NJ: 9 units NY: 43 units OH: 8 units OR: None PA: 43 units RI: 1 unit VT: 1 unit WI: 8 units

COL Noah Farnham n n 21 Jul 1861 – 11 th NYVI ordered to support Union artillery with US Marines Confederate volleys panicked the 11 th & Marines Some Zouaves held their ground WIA but died 14 Aug 1861

Aftermath of 11 th NYVI n Alexandria became longest occupied territory of the war • HQS for US Military Railroad and one of the largest US Military Hospitals n n n Discarded their “gaudy” uniforms for Union blue Mustered out in July 1861 2 nd Fire Zouaves & Brooklyn Fire Zouaves became the 73 rd NYVI

Colonel Abram Duryeé n n Wealthy New York City mahogany merchant Former commander of the 7 th New York National Guard Organized the 5 th New York Volunteer Infantry after Fort Sumter Manhattan’s educated elite with numerous Englishmen • Physically fit and many were over 6 feet tall • Students, businessmen and veterans of European wars

COL ABRAM DURYEÉ

5 th New York Volunteer Infantry 5 th New York officers and visiting guests enjoyed a champagne brunch provided by New York lawyer George Templeton Strong (seated, second from left).

5 th NYVI, Duryeé’s Zouaves n n n Former 7 th NY or West Point graduates LTC Gouvenour K. Warren and CPT Judson Kilpatrick would later gain fame Trained and shipped to the Virginia Peninsula 10 Jun 1861 – Battle of Big Bethel, VA Proved themselves by going into battle singing “Bingo” COL Duryeé transferred and LTC Warren took over command

5 th NYVI, Duryeé’s Zouaves n n Jul 1861 – Garrison duty in Baltimore, MD Mar 1862 – COL Warren given a brigade before the Peninsula Campaign • LTC Hiram Duryea new commander n 27 Jun – Attacked the 1 st SC Rifles three times at Gaine’s Mill • While being relieved under fire, LTC Duryea formed the unit , counted-off and marched off n Confederates were very impressed but not intimidated

LTC Hiram Duryea

BG (Brevet) Hiram Duryea n n n Jul 1861 – Commissioned CPT in 5 th NY Infantry 27 Jun 62 – Led three attacks at Gaine’s Mill, VA Oct 1862 – Promoted to COL but left the service due to wounds 26 May 1866 – Commissioned a Brevet Brigadier General of Volunteers 5 May 1914 – Shot seven times by his deranged son, Chester

5 th New York Volunteer Infantry n n n “I doubt whether it had an equal and certainly no superior among all the regiments of the Army of the Potomac” GEN George Sykes Considered the best drilled unit in the Federal Army 1508 mustered / 211 KIA / 14% 5 members obtained full general 4 members obtained brevet general

th 9 New York Volunteer Infantry Hawkins’ Zouaves COL Rush C. Hawkins 4 May 1861 – Commander 19 Apr 1862 – WIA at Camden, NC 20 May 1863 – mustered out of service 13 Mar 1865 – Appointed BG (Brevet)

th 9 NY Volunteer Infantry Hawkins’ Zouaves

9 th NYVI, Hawkins’ Zouaves n n n n 23 Apr 1861 organized in NYC 4 May 1861 mustered into Union Army 1861 - Burnside’s Expedition in NC 1862 – Antietam and Fredericksburg 6 May 1863 – 3 year enlistees to 3 rd NYVI 20 May 1863 – term of service expired Lost 4 officers and 92 enlisted

th 14 Brooklyn Volunteer Infantry Brooklyn Zouaves/Chasseurs n n 1847 – Originally formed as the 14 th NYSM COL Alfred M. Wood • Became Mayor of Brooklyn, 1864 -1865 n n 18 May 1861 –Organized as the 14 th Brooklyn Volunteer Infantry COs A through I, with a CO of Sappers and Miners • Aug 1861 - Sappers & Miners mustered out

th 14 Brooklyn Volunteer Infantry Brooklyn Zouaves/Chasseurs n 25 May 1861 mustered into service • 1861 – 1862 - 1 st Bull Run • 1862 - Seven Days’ Battle, 2 nd Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg • 1863 - Chancellorsville and Gettysburg • 1864 -Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse n 6 Jun 1864 – Mustered out of service • Veterans & recruits transferred to 5 th NY Veteran INF n Lost 8 officers and 223 enlisted

th 14 Brooklyn “Redlegs”

69 th New York State Militia Irish Brigade n n Organized by COL Michael Cochran Replaced the troop of cavalry with a new Company “K” known as “Irish Zouaves” Uniform consisted of short Zouave jacket, vest and green sash 21 Jul 1861 - COL Cochran captured and spent more than a year as a POW

Thomas Francis Meagher (Mar) Born 18 Aug 1828 in Waterford, Ireland

Thomas Francis Meagher n n n 1848 - Failed revolt by the Young Ireland Party Captured with seven other Irish revolutionaries Sentenced • “to be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution on the 13 th and there hanged until he be dead, his head then to be cut off and his body to be cut into 4 quarters, then disposed of as her majesty shall think fit. " n n World opinion condemned the executions Queen Victoria commuted their sentences to the Penal Colony in Australia

Thomas Francis Meagher n 1874 – Sir Charles Duffy was elected the Premier of the Colony of Victoria • The Queen was informed that Duffy had been a political prisoner 25 years before n n She then inquired about all prisoners, to include the eight Irish revolutionaries Here is the report she received…

Condemned Irish Revolutionaries n Thomas Francis Meagher BG, U S Army, MT Territorial Governor n Terrence Mc. Manus BG, U S Army n Patrick Donahue n Richard O'Gorman Governor General, Newfoundland n Morris Lyene Attorney General of Australia n Michael Ireland Succeeded Morris Lyene BG, US Army n n Thomas D'Arcy Mc. Gee Member of Parliament, Montreal Minister of Agriculture John Mitchell New York politician; Father of John P. Mitchell, Mayor, NYC, 1917

Thomas Francis Meagher n n n 1852 - Escaped from Tasmania 1853 – Arrived in San Francisco 1854 – Arrived in New York 1856 - Became a journalist and published the Irish News in NYC 1861 – Raised a company of Zouaves for the Irish Brigade

CPT Meagher with CO K 69 th New York Irish Brigade

CO K, 69 th NYVI “Irish Brigade” n n n Recruited from Buffalo, NY 23 Apr 1861 – Garrison Duty, Washington, DC 27 Apr – 2 May – Garrison Duty, Annapolis, MD 3 May – 23 May – Returned to Washington for duty in the defenses 9 May – Mustered for three months service 24 May – 15 Jul - Advance into Virginia and occupation of Arlington Heights

CO K, 69 th NYVI “Irish Brigade” n n n n 16 Jul - Attached to Sherman's Brigade, Tyler's Division, Mc. Dowell's Army of Northeast Virginia 16 -21 Jul - Advance on Manassas, VA 21 Jul – Battle of Bull Run CPT Meagher was an acting Major Demonstrated fearless leadership Had his horse shot out from under him Barely escaped death and capture

Bull Run, 21 Jul 1861 n 69 th New York made up the rear guard of Mc. Dowell’s army n Retreated in good order n 3 Aug – Co K mustered out in NYC n CO K lost 1 Officer and 50 Enlisted men killed

CO K 69 th New York

Thomas Francis Meagher n n n Dec 1862 - Led the Irish Brigade at Fredericksburg May 1863 - Promoted to Brigadier General • 69 th New York was decimated at Chancellorsville Assigned to command military district of Etowah, TN Post-war • Secretary of the Montana Territory and acting governor 1 Jul 1867 – Fell (? ) off a steamboat and drowned in the Missouri River • Body never recovered

114 PA Volunteer Infantry Collis’ Zouaves

114 th PAVI, Collis’ Zouaves n n 17 Aug 1861 – Organized in Philadelphia by CPT Charles Henry Tuckery Collis • Collis’ Independent Company or “Zouaves De Afrique” 1861 - Saw action in the Harpers Ferry area 1862 – Assigned to GEN Bank’s DIV • Marched after GEN Jackson’s Stonewall Brigade in the Valley Campaign • Rear guard at Front Royal for Bank’s army Flanked by Wheat’s Tigers from 1 st Louisiana

114 th PA, Mary Tepe, 155 th PA

Mary Tepe, 114 th PAVI Vivandiére n n n 27 th PAVI – PVT Bernardo Tepe caught stealing • She left the 27 th and joined the 114 th PAVI Carried whiskey, tobacco, food and a pistol Cooked, washed, mended & wrote letters $21. 45 per month for assisting doctors 13 Dec 1862 – Shot at Fredericksburg in left ankle

Mary Tepe, 114 th PAVI Vivandiére n n May 1863 – Kearny Cross at Chancellorsville Jul 1863 – Set up field hospitals behind Little Round Top 1864 – Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania Courthouse 9 Apr 1872 – Married Richard Leonard

Mary Tepe, 114 th PAVI Vivandiére n n n Became an invalid with rheumatism Suffered from the bullet lodged in her ankle May 1901 – Willed $31. 35 to husband Drank ‘Paris green’ a mixture of pesticide and paint Grave dedicated in 1988, Carrick, PA

PVT WILLIAM MONTGOMERY n n n 155 TH PA Zouaves 15 years old KIA 9 April 1865 Appomattox Courthouse Last Union Zouave killed in the Eastern Theater

34 th IN Volunteer Infantry Morton Rifles n 16 Sep 1861 – Organized at Anderson, IN n 5 -14 Mar 1862 – New Madrid n 15 Mar - 8 Apr 1862 – Island No. 10 n 1862 – 1863 – Arkansas Operations n 18 May – 4 Jul 1863 – Siege of Vicksburg

34 th INVI, Morton Rifles n Oct – Nov 1863 – Western LA Campaign n 15 Dec 1863 – Regiment re-enlisted as Zouaves n Dec 1864 – Jan 1865 – Texas Campaign n 12 -13 May 1865 – Palmetto Ranch, TX n Feb 1866 – Mustered out of Union Army

PVT JOHN J. WILLIAMS n n 34 TH IN “Morton Rifles” KIA 13 May 1865 Palmetto Ranch, TX Last Union Soldier of the War/ Last Union Zouave of the War

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