United States Zouave Cadets

United States Zouave Cadets
A line drawing of five Chicago Zouaves
Active1856–1861
Country United States
Allegiance Illinois
BranchMilitia
TypeZouave infantry
RoleFoot guards
Size61 soldiers, 15 musicians (1860)[1]
ArmoryGarrett Block (Chicago, Illinois)[2]
Nickname(s)Governor's Guard of Illinois[a]
March"Zouave Cadets Quickstep" (A. J. Vaas)[4]
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Elmer Ellsworth

The United States Zouave Cadets (also known as the Chicago Zouaves and Zouave Cadets of Chicago) was a short-lived zouave unit of the Illinois militia that has been credited as the force behind the surge in popularity of zouave infantry in the United States and Confederate States in the mid-19th century. The United States Zouave Cadets were formed by Elmer Ellsworth in 1859 from the National Guard Cadets of Chicago, established three years earlier. The unit's 1860 tour of the eastern United States popularized the distinctive zouave appearance and customs, directly and indirectly inspiring the formation of dozens of similar units on the eve of the American Civil War.

During the governorship of William Henry Bissell, the United States Zouave Cadets were granted the ceremonial designation of Governor's Guard of Illinois on 23 January 1860.[5] Its march was the "Zouave Cadets Quickstep".

  1. ^ Griffith, Paddy (1989). Battle Tactics of the Civil War. Yale University Press. p. 102. ISBN 0-300-04247-7.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference brad was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Military Honor". Chicago Tribune. newspapers.com. March 23, 1860. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "Zouave Cadets Quickstep". Chicago Tribune. newspapers.com. August 20, 1860. Retrieved December 11, 2018.(subscription required)
  5. ^ p. 18 Caxton Club Chicago by the Book: 101 Publications That Shaped the City and Its Image University of Chicago Press, 20 Nov 2018


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