Origin of the Zouaves
The Zouaves were origionally modeled after mercenarires from the Zou Oua tribe, a Berber tribe in northern Algeria. These natives were hired by the French while the French were colonizing Africa. The French Army slowly weeded out the natives, replacing them with Frenchmen. At this time, the Zouaves, as they were now called, joined the French Army and adapted their uniforms. The French Zouaves earned respect and reknown for their tenacity in battle, quickly earning a reputation of being one of the best units in the entire world.

During the Crimean War, Captain McClellan (Later to be Gen. McClellan of the Civil War), saw the French Zouaves in action. He fell in love with the fighting style and the uniform, and brought both back to the United States upon his return. What followed can only be called a craze to rival any modern fashion trend. The Zouave uniform became immensely popular, and influenced everything from State Militia uniforms, to women's clothing, to children's wear. Those State Militia units, at the outset of the war, became the basis for many of the Zouave units who fought during the Civil War.
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Unit History
The men of the 114th Pennsylvania saw active service from the fall of 1862 until the spring of 1865. They were in the four major campaigns of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and at Petersburg for the final assault. They were also involved in battles at Auburn and Guiney's Station as well as a number of other fights. "Army life for these Philadelphia Zouaves, as for most men who served, was characterized by months of stifling boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror."¹

Private Charles Collis enlisted in April, 1861, with the 18th Pennsylvania Regiment. By April 24, 1861, Collis had been appointed to the rank of Sergeant Major. He mustered out on August 7, 1861, and immediately set out to raise an independent company of Zouaves, to be known as the Zouaves d'Afrique, which would be modeled after the French military units of the same name. The Zouaves d'Afrique were intended as a bodyguard for Major General Nathaniel Banks, and it took Collis only three days to raise the required number of soldiers. He had in mind that his men wear the traditional garb favored by the fierce French Zouaves, and to emulate them as much as possible.

On August 25, 1861, the newly formed Zouaves d'Afrique, now headed by Captain Collis, were sent to Ft. Delaware for garrison duty where they quickly became masters of the drill they engaged in. Returning to Philadelphia on November 24, 1861, they rejoined Banks' command. They were then equipped with new Enfield rifles and enormous sword bayonets. That evening, they participated in a "Grand Exhibition Drill and Musical Entertainment" that lasted three and a half hours, entertaining distinguished guests and the public with the drill routines they had learned.

1. Hagerty, Edward J., "Collis' Zouaves", Louisiana State University Press, 1997, pg. xiii-xiv.

Uniform of the Zouaves
The distinctive dress of the Zouaves is derived from the tribal dress of the Zou Oua tribe in northern Algeria. When the French hired the Zou Ouas as mercenaries, the natives kept their tribal dress, which consisted of baggy trousers, a tight vest, and a turban and fez.
The French slowly weeded out the natives, and renamed the unit the French Zouaves, but retained the unusual dress with one modification: They changed it to the French national colors. What had once been dress of light beige, tan and white became the bright red and dark blue of the French Army. This was the beginning of a long, and very colorful tradition.

Click here to view the 114th's uniform, and get more information on it.
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Equipment of the Zouaves
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The Vivandiere
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