Union Soldiers With Baggy Red Pants?
Posted 09 September 2003 - 03:26 PM
Posted 09 September 2003 - 03:41 PM
I would be surprised if German immigrants formed a Zouave outfit, since I would imagine that the fancy dress would cost more than most immigrants would want to shell out.
Just a top-of-the-head answer. There's much more to say about the Zouaves.
Posted 09 September 2003 - 03:46 PM
Posted 09 September 2003 - 05:35 PM
33rd New Jersey
11th New York
1st Fire Zouaves
44th New York
23 rd PA
Baxter's Fire Zouaves
19th Illinois Zouaves
Confederate ones were
2nd Maryland Infantry Regiment Zouaves
Maryland Guard Zouaves
Courtesy of my friend Big Ed, a fat renactor from the 72nd PA Zouaves
Edited by Jiggersfromsphilly, 09 September 2003 - 06:24 PM.
Posted 10 September 2003 - 08:29 AM
Needless to say, the realities of war made the red pants highly visible targets. I'm not sure if they were still being worn in 1865.
Posted 11 September 2003 - 02:58 PM
Just imagine doing that on a battlefield....good "duck and cover" is universal!
Posted 13 September 2003 - 11:40 AM
Posted 15 September 2003 - 10:46 AM
Here is a weblink that lists many of the Union and Confederate Zouaves.
Zouave Date Base = http://shaung.tripod.com/cwuni.html
Zouaves were originally a French military unit comprised of North African natives and French officers organized in Algiers in 1830. They quickly established themselves as an elite unit. Their uniform became popluar among many of the militias in the US. Because of this popularity, many units were formed at the outbreak of the war and dressed in this style of uniform. However, after months of combat and exposure to climate and conditions in the field, the units were unable to consistently provide new uniform issues to their men. So, eventually these units were forced to adopt regulation dress.
Books on Zouave units = http://www.bookguy.c...tary/zouave.htm
BTW, the Zouaves are usually portrayed carrying a shortened Springfield rifle. The Model 1863 Springfield was produced in 1863 and became known as the "Zouave Rifle", even though they were not specifically made for that purpose. Replicas of this rifle has been sold on the market since the 1960's.
The rifle had a 33 inch barrel held in place with 2 bands. Since the rifle was shorter, a longer bayonet was issued for use with this weapon.
Zouave Rifle = http://www.tsra.com/Contract.htm
Rifle PHotos = http://www.euroarms..../Scheda2255.htm
BTW, during WW2, the French army still had units designated as Zouaves and their uniforms were the basic US government issue clothing, helmet, and equipment. An odd twist of history.
Posted 15 September 2003 - 09:55 PM
Edited by Jimmydoorknobs, 15 September 2003 - 09:56 PM.
Posted 16 September 2003 - 08:06 AM
After that, the French ditched the red pants, dug trenches, and wore "horizon bleu" uniforms and helmets.
Posted 18 September 2003 - 12:00 PM
I fired it once in a cotton field. We walked the turn-rows down to an ole abandoned farm house. I fired into the side of the house and then checked to see how many wood-paneled walls the bullet penetrated through.
Reenactors have a problem with the Zouave Rifle. They don't like it. Why? Well, when the company fires by ranks, it turns and faces so that it is 2 ranks deep. The second rank has to be close to the first so that man in front of him is half way between the muzzle and the breech. If the front man is too close to the muzzle, he will have a ringing in his ears. If he is too close to the breech, he could get powder burns from the ingnition.
The Zouave is just too short for this. The standard 3-band Enfield has a 44-inch barrel, I believe, where as the Zouave has about 33 inches. Don't hold me to that. I still don't know why Zouave units preferred the shorter rifle---if they in fact did.
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