Zouaves were infantry units that were modeled after French Army troops from Algeria. They were popular in the United States due to their flamboyant uniforms and elaborate drill. Prior to the Civil War a touring Militia unit, the “Zouave Cadets,” also helped popularize the unit.
When the Civil War began many of the volunteer regiments, both Union and Confederate, were outfitted as Zouaves. On the Union sided most of these were from New York City, while the Confederacy fielded most of theirs from the New Orleans area.
During the Civil War, Federal troops that displayed distinction for their drill and battlefield actions were allowed to adopt the Zouave uniform. The uniform was used to distinguish them from more ordinary troops. The 146th New York, 140th New York, and the. 155th Pennsylvania, all members of Weed’s Brigade received the Zouave uniform for their distinguished performance in the defense of Little Round Top at Gettysburg.
The uniform was patterned after the French Army’s Zouave troops that fought in Algeria. It consisted of baggy trousers, a modified coat, and unique headgear such as a Fez or turban.
The following link from the American Battlefield Trust has a short history on the Zouaves and their unique uniform.
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/videos/zouaves-civil-war
