The French Zouaves, 1831 - 1915, by Brian Pohanka
In his best-selling book Military Europe, written following a year's mission overseas, young Captain George B. McClellan praised the French Zouaves as "The finest light infantry that Europe can produce." McClellan had observed the colorful and exotic Zouaves in the wake of their exploits in the Crimean War, and it was not long before other Americans began introducing baggy trousers and tassled fez to militia units from Chicago to New York.
Tirailleurs Algerians, or "Turcos". In 1855 when Louis Napoleon had become Emperor Napoleon III, another Zouave unit was formed from the elite of the earlier three- The Zouaves of the Imperial Guard. This unit was ultimately disbanded following the collapse of the Second Empire, but by the 1880's a 4th regiment was established, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Zouaves fought well into the 20th Century.
The Crimean War of 1854-55 gave the French Zouaves their first taste of world-wide fame. At the battle of the Alma on September 20, 1854, their fierce charge brought forth the declaration from Marshal de St. Arnaud that "The Zouaves are the finest soldiers in the world." The British forces who were allied with the French in this war against Russia, also praised the Zouaves for their fluid skirmish tactics and skillful use of the bayonet.
Following the glories won in the Crimean War, the regiments of Zouaves took part in the War fought with Austria. This conflict of 1859 was waged in Italy, and saw many Italian nationalists fighting alongside the French against their Austrian occupiers. On June 4, 1859 in the bloody battle of Magenta, the Zouaves of the Guard won 10 Crosses of the Legion of Honor and 50 Military Medals. The woman provisioner or Cantiniere, Madame Rossin, was awarded the Medaille Militaire, the first woman ever decorated in the French Army. Colonel Tixier led the 2nd Zouaves personally carrying the regimental eagle and flag. The next day Napoleon III hung his own Legion of Honor on the eagle. The Zouaves fought well at Solferino on June 24, and closed out a victorious campaign again very much in the European and American public eye.
From 1860 to 1867 Zouaves saw a variety of service, much of it under rugged condition and against a merciless foe, in the deserts of North Africa and in the sagebrush of Mexico. France was deeply involved in Mexico, supporting their puppet government of Maximilian, and waging a losing guerrilla war against Mexican freedom fighters led by Benito Juarez. Following the Civil War, the United States almost went to war with France in order to expel them from Mexico. Napoleon III evacuated ahead of time to avoid such a conflict.
5th New York Volunteer Infantry
Company C
Duryee's Zouaves
Who were the French Zouaves? In their day they were better known than the French Foreign Legion, and revered by Frenchmen as something akin to the U.S. Marines and Green Berets, in short they were fierce, disciplined and elite. The origins of the Zouaves can be traced to the Zouaoua, a savage and independent coalition of Arab tribesmen living in the rocky gorges of Algeria and Morocco. When, in the early 1830's, the French Army attempted to pacify these warriors, they decided to integrate the Zouaoua into their own Colonial Army. This was accomplished by General Clauzel, and in the decade from 1831 to 1840, the Zouaves (the French version of the name) began to make a name for themselves under such leaders as General de LaMoriciere. The characteristic uniform: baggy trousers, white canvas legging, short vest and jacket and tassled fez, was a derivation from local North African costume. It also provided for freedom of movement, which well-suited the light infantry tactics practiced by the Zouaves.
Zouave, circa 1895
So admired were the original, native soldiers, that on February 13, 1852, the President of France, Louis Napoleon, decreed the formation of three regiments of Zouaves, to be composed entirely of Frenchmen. Henceforth the native Algerian and Moroccan soldiers were assigned to the
French Zouaves
Crimean War 1854-55
At the Battle of Inkermann on November 5, the 3rd Zouaves were particularly distinguished losing 178 men. Zouaves also fought at Balaklava during the "Charge of the light brigade". But it was in the savage fighting for the Russian fortress city of Sebastapol that the Zouaves were most effective. Each time the baggy-trousered assailants were bloodily repulsed. But on June 7 the French succeeded in taking Mamelon Vert, a strong supporting earthwork. It cost the Zouaves 90 dead, 402 wounded,and 23 taken prisoner. Finally, on September 8.1855,Marshal McMahon led the Zouaves spearheaded by the 1st Regiment, in a successful attack that took the Malakoff and caused Sebastapol to capitulate. It was a terrible hand-to-hand fight. The newly formed Zouaves of the Imperial Guard lost 311 out of 600 men taken into the charge. In all 7,567 Frenchmen were killed or wounded.
3rd Zouaves, February 1913.
Photo E.C.P. Armees
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 that toppled the Empire of Napoleon III saw the Zouaves bloodied in battles such as Worth, St. Privat, Mars la Tour, and the Siege of Paris. A regiment of Papal Zouaves, bodyguards to Pope Pius IX also took part in the fighting. Theses Papal Zouaves included many Canadian and even some American Catholics who gave their lives to halt Prussian aggression.
Finally the colorful Zouaves could not outlast the 19th Century style of warfare. The bloodbath of World War I saw them slaughtered in the first months, some regiments losing as many as 800 men in a single charge. By 1915 the blue and red uniform was being replaced with mustard brown, and never again did the color and panache of the Zouaves appear on the battlefield. Today while they are remembered in French museums and paintings, and in the memories of elderly Frenchmen, they are rapidly becoming a relic of the past.
Zouaves on Parade, Possibly Part of Buffalo Bills Wild West Show
French postcard "Collection J.H." and signed "LaLauze, 1903.", Zouaves, Officier--Grand Tenue
Russian Zouaves During the Crimean War
French Zouave Band
French postcards "Collection J.H." and both signed "LaLauze, 1903.", Zouaves, Troupe--Tenue de Compagne
Pennsylvania Zouave regimental commanders, "COL. BIRNEY, COL. BAXTER, COL. GOSLINE"
Zouave Polka Sheet Music circa 1865
Buffalo Bills Wild West Show
Zouaves of the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry taken at the siege of Petersburg in August, 1864
