"3rd New York - Zouaves?" Topic

I'm supplementing my ACW armies to enable gaming of some early battles up until, and including, First Manassas/Bull Run (Stars and Bars CSA flags, fire zouaves, 79th NY Highlanders etc etc).

In studying the Order of Battle from Wikipedia for Big Bethel on 10th June 1861, I see that 5th NY (Duryee's zouaves) is listed, which is great. However, there is a regiment, 3rd New York, which is stated as follows:

"They wore an americanized zouave uniform which consisted of a dark blue zouave jacket with red trimming, dark blue pantaloons, white gaiters, red fez with a blue tazzle, and a dark blue zouave vest with a red trimming."

Wikipedia may not be the most reliable of sources for these sorts of things, but does anyone know anything about the 3rd NY? Were they, in fact, zouaves?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I did some quick looking around before I went to work and found a contemporary account that stated that the regiment refused to march until they were properly armed and uniformed, and another account from their mustering in, which described their uniforms as dark blue jackets, coats, and hats, with light blue trousers, which I interpret to mean typical Union garb.

I'd be interested to see if anyone has something else.

Frederick Todd, American Military Equipage 1851-1872, Vol.II, State Forces, (1983) has two listings for the 3rd New York.

The first is the 3rd New York National Guard Infantry established in 1865. It is described as "Veteran zouave regt. Officers: Blue frock coat, sky blue pants, red cap with gold lace and blue band. Enlisted: unknown, but probably a version of the 10th Volunteer Civil War uniform. (This regt granted lineage and battle honors of 10th Vol Inf Regt.)

The second is 3rd New York Volunteer Infantry which was the regiment that was present at Big Bethel. "1861: state M1861 blue fatigue, dark blue overcoat, sky blue trousers; green cord on officers' pants; Comp E (Syracuse Zouaves) wore special zouave dress. M1842 musket. 1862: Enfield rifle. 1863: US reg inf clothing; men transferred from 9th Regt (Hawkins Zouaves) authorized to wear zouave uniform to 1864. 1863-1864 Springfield rifled muskets.

The M1861 state jacket mentioned above is a dark-blue 8-button shell jacket with a standing collar and epaulettes both with light blue piping.

cjdaley.com/nysjacket.htm

The 3rd NY also known as the Albany Regiment – "The Third regiment was inspected and mustered into the United States service on the 14th inst. by Captain Frank Wheaton, of the United Slates Army. The uniform of the troops consists of a dark blue fatigue jacket, overcoat and cap, and light blue pants. The officers wear the regulation uniform. The regiment occupy the Park barracks, while the officers have been assigned quarters at the Astor House. A military band of seventeen pieces accompanies the regiment, having enlisted to serve during the war." From New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center – Newspaper Clippings Achieve link

However in original recruitment is states Company E "E — Syracuse Zouaves — at Syracuse" – Sometimes also referred to as Butlers Zouaves Same Museum Site link (note – not sure of the uniform – see below for Osprey comment)

The same is listed in the Roster of Zouave Units – link – A master database – great site for looking up Zouave Units

Where the confusion might also be Pictured in Ospreys Zouave book is the Albany Zouaves Cadets "The Albany Zouave Cadets, organized in 1860, became Company A of the 10th New York Militia Regiment of Infantry. During the Civil War, it was incorporated into the 177th New York Volunteers for a service of nine months. It was engaged principally in the Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana."- From the New York State Library link

Thanks ever so much everyone for taking the time to answer.

I think I'll run with the presumption that one company – The Syracuse Company – were uniformed as zouaves. So that will be a base (or maybe two) of the 3rd NY for Regimental level Fire & Fury.

This, along with Duryee's Zouaves, should give a Big Bethel refight game that early war feel.

Thanks again!