Zouave jacket

Zouave jacket

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Description
Both the Confederate and Union armies boasted regiments of fierce Zouave fighters. The origin of the Zouave military tradition lies in North Africa with the Berbers. During the French colonization of Algeria in the 1830s, French forces came in contact with Berber fighters who sported stunning uniforms and fighting prowess. French soldiers adapted the Zouave-styled uniform and with their victories in the Crimean Wars in the mid-1850s, military units in the United States were styling themselves as Zouave soldiers.
This particular uniform jacekt belonged to the 41st New York Infantry Regiment, also known as the DeKalb Zouaves. This unit drew its members from German immigrant communities in both Philadelphia and New York.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
jacket
Other Terms
jacket; Man; Volunteers; Zouave, New York 41; Zouave, Dekalb
associated date
1861-1865
Physical Description
blue (overall color)
red (trim color)
Measurements
overall: 28 1/2 in x 19 1/2 in x 3 3/4 in; 72.39 cm x 49.53 cm x 9.525 cm
ID Number
AF.24944.01
accession number
64127
catalog number
24944.01
Credit Line
U.S. War Department
See more items in
Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
Civil War
Military
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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