The Red Pants Are Coming! The Red Pants Are Coming!

Meet a Zouave:

He is a Union soldier, but with a unique red instead of the normal blue uniform. He’s not trying to be a “Civil War Redcoat”, he’s actually part of a type of Civil War soldiers called “Zouaves” (pronounced zoo-ahvs).

A Zouave, by definition, is:

 “One of a former body of infantry in the French Army, composed originally of Algerians, distinguished for their…Oriental uniform.”

Elmer Ellsworth was the man responsible for the French uniform being brought to America. He was a military man, and designed his own uniform based on the French Zouave red uniform.

(French Zouave; 1859)

After Fort Sumter was fired upon in 1861, Lincoln called for thousands of volunteers to form an Army. Ellsworth wanted to contribute to those thousands. He traveled the country advertising his regiment, but he targeted one type of man in particular upon landing in New York: Firemen.

You're probably wondering right now what firemen have to do with the Civil War. Keep reading, for you're about to find out. But first, let's go back in time and learn more about the beginning of firefighting:

American firefighting started in 1647, when Dutch colony leaders appointed men to ensure the town's fire safety. “Rattle watch”, an 8 man team would watch the streets at night. Later, in colonial days, those with insurance would put a sign on their door. When firemen came to put out the fire, they would be less-likely to act if the home-owner didn’t have fire insurance. No paycheck, no services! Men such as George Washington, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere volunteered as firemen at one time in their life.

(Vintage Fireman)

1860 firemen were known for their skill, able-bodies and devotion to their country. Remember Ellsworth? Mr. American Zouave? Ellsworth thought these firemen would be the perfect soldiers for his unique regiment. Thousands of New York Irish firemen donned Zouave uniforms, and many from Philadelphia enlisted as well. He had the perfect regiment in his eyes. 

(Colonel Elmer Ellsworth; 1863)

Zouaves can be traced all across the Civil War, from Bull Run to Appomattox. Ellsworth wasn't the only man who led Zouaves, many more regiments fought. Elmer Ellsworth ended up being shot leading his men; he was tearing down a flag supporting secession and angered an innkeeper.

Zouaves are the best remembered regiment today. Their red uniform made them stand out, and they were known for their skills before and after the Civil War. I used to think the uniforms were just New York men trying to stand out and be different, but these firemen have a right to stand out: They went from risking their lives saving homes to fighting a war to save the Union. To me, that red uniform signifies courage; any Zouave ought to have been proud to wear it.

Sources: 
http://irishamericancivilwar.com/2013/10/19/daniel-divver-an-irish-fireman-in-the-american-civil-war/ 

http://www.zouave.org/2a_Duryee.html 

http://www.firerescue1.com/fire-ems/articles/1468797-Firefighters-role-in-the-Battle-of-Gettysburg/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefighting_in_the_United_States#cite_note-6 

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