Zouaves

At the opening of the Civil War the Union was unable to provide its soldiers with enough army-issue uniforms. To fill the void, some of the militia units designed their own attire based on the brightly-colored garb worn by the North African army of the French Emperor Napoleon III. Designs varied from unit to unit, but most included brightly colored jackets, baggy red pants and often a tasseled fez. The flashy uniforms were a great morale booster and instilled pride among unit members. The Zouaves were noted for their precision drills, military excellence and bravery on the battlefield. Although more prevalent in the North; some southern units also adopted these exotic uniforms. The most famous of the Zouave units was organized and led by Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth. On the eve of war, Ellsworth and his Zouaves toured the eastern states entertaining audiences with their acrobatic drills. Spell-bound spectators thronged the demonstrations. Soon, Zouave units were being established throughout the North. The notoriety established Ellsworth as a celebrity in his own right, his death in Alexandria shocked the North.