"Zouave Uniform" Topic

I was listening to the journal of Lt. Col. A. Freemantle and his description of Gettysburg (YouTube). One of his comments was about the uniforms worn by the U.S. Zouave regiments. The comment noted, in passing, how the American uniform, as seen on prisoners and casualties, was a poor imitation of the French original. I have searched my reference materials and the internet (so it must be true) and do not see a difference between the two. Yes, there were different styles, however, I have seen equivalent styles shared by U.S. and European (French, Papal) uniforms. Can anyone think of any real differences? Aside from the fact that the good Lt. Col. was used to seeing Europeans in Zouave uniforms?

It may have been the voice of the reader or the smarmy wording of the journal, it just struck me as offensive.

He might be speaking more about the condition of the uniforms on campaign. Some were imported from Europe. The 83rd PA ordered their French Chasseurs uniforms from France. Several militias had ordered them from France before the war. The ones made domestically may not have been exact reproductions. They may have been modified to make them easier to produce, more comfortable and conform to the climate. The small differences to me are irrelevant. Keep in mind that not all "Zouave" uniforms are the same. There are colors not found in Europe or anywhere else. Unique to that regiment alone.

A long discussion on exotic uniforms in ACW was started a few days ago. OC makes good points but you might want to check the topic anyway.

The ACW Zouaves had a considerable variability in their uniforms regiment to regiment, with some straying a good deal from the French Zouave uniforms and some closer to point – and the quality of uniforms also varied considerably regiment to regiment

As well, have to agree that Freemantle – who was after all an officer in the Coldstream Guards – does come across as condescending in some of his writing

I did read once that exotic uniforms imported from France were often too small for the larger Americans!

Yeah, those French chasseur uniforms that the 83rd got were ordered in the correct sizes but Frenchmen at the time were a good deal smaller than Americans. They were all a tight fit and some had to be altered.