• 9th New York Infantry Regiment

    "Hawkins' Zouaves"

    From the Book "Rebels & Yankees, Fighting Men, Of Then Civil War By William C. Davis

    Paragraph about the 9th N.Y.S. Inf. Reg't By William C. Davis

    poem By Robert H. Walter

    In 1861 Rush C. Hawkins, a veteran of the Mexican War, went to work finding men for a new regiment. Starting with members of his old pre-war company of New York Zouaves, he enlisted enough men to muster his 9th New York Infantry on May 4th, 1861. Thanks to their uniform they were quickly dubbed "Hawkins' Zouaves". They fought at Big Bethel in June 1861, then went on to campaign in North Carolina before returning to take part in the Battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. They were mustered out in May 1863. The uniforms that gave them their name were typical if zouave outfits: skullcap, short jacket, and baggy pants tucked into white leggings. Armed with 1861 Springfield's and bayonet, they lent color to their army. Thought how colorful it was in 1863 is open to debate. Hard wear and a uniform that looked as if it were made for Rebel target practice may have toned it down.

    1861,

    May 4th, 1861,

    Hawkins' Zouaves.

    Short jacket and baggy pants

    Lent color to their army.

    Looked as if it were made for Rebel target practice.