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This image of the men (and boys) of Company A, 10th New York Infantry - the National Zouaves - has been published, although only once or twice, and never with the clarity provided in the attached print. The original tintype was in my collection during the 1970s and 1980s. I acquired it from Bill Frassanito, author of "Gettysburg: A Journey in Time", as well as several other landmark books on Civil War photography. In turn, Bill had bought it from a Flayderman catalog in the very early 1970s.
The image, an unfortunately quite dark quarter-plate tintype, was unidentified prior to my acquiring it, but magnified examination disclosed both the easily notable remnants of various elements of zouave dress as well as New York State shell jackets and, most decisively, a shield-shaped badge on which appear the numerals "10". This badge can be seen worn by three of the men although the numerals can be discerned on only one of these, that being worn on the shirt placket of the tenth man from the right edge, i.e., the fellow with his hands clasped. Under magnification of the original plate, the numerals - reversed, of course - are sharp and unquestionable, although this detail is not discernable in this copy photo.
This print, however, does very clearly show the reversed "10" regimental identification affixed atop the forage cap of the eleventh man from the left, discounting the kneeling and sitting figures in front.
Only three of the men are still dressed in the unit's second-issue zouave uniform of October 1861, beginning with the fellow fourth from the far right, who also apparently displays the Company "A" designation on the front of his fez. (More clearly, the "A" can also be seen atop the forage cap worn by the man in the rear rank just to the right of the image's center.) The two other men still wearing the nearly complete National Zouaves uniform appear as the third and fifth from the left, discounting the man kneeling in his great coat. Both these fellows wear the red skullcap fez, the dark brown cutaway jacket, the red vest and cummerbund sash, and spacious sky blue pantaloons. The taller man's cap displays a quite oversized tassel. Three or four others appear to be wearing the skullcap fez, including the turbaned youngster sprawled in rear of the officer, as well as the other teen directly behind him, the latter also prominently displaying the shield badge on his breast.
It seems certain that the scene dates to 1862, but I'm ambivalent as to whether it's the spring versus the fall thereof. It's obvious that the company dress is very strongly dominated by the typical federal uniform, with four-button blouses prevalent and a few SNY jackets appearing. On the one hand, I'm uncertain whether the zouave uniform had all but disappeared from the 10th prior to the beginning of the Seven Days Campaign, by, say, May '62. On the other, though, it also seems questionable whether
any of the zouave suits would have survived in use following the regiment's forlorn-hope disaster, along with Duryee's 5th NY, at Second Bull Run in late August.
Finally, if you have not as yet tired of seeking magnified details, you might note that at least 4 of every 5 of these fellows, including the 12- or 13-year-olds in the front, are all smoking cigars.
Enjoy and Cheers,
Bob McDonald
The image, an unfortunately quite dark quarter-plate tintype, was unidentified prior to my acquiring it, but magnified examination disclosed both the easily notable remnants of various elements of zouave dress as well as New York State shell jackets and, most decisively, a shield-shaped badge on which appear the numerals "10". This badge can be seen worn by three of the men although the numerals can be discerned on only one of these, that being worn on the shirt placket of the tenth man from the right edge, i.e., the fellow with his hands clasped. Under magnification of the original plate, the numerals - reversed, of course - are sharp and unquestionable, although this detail is not discernable in this copy photo.
This print, however, does very clearly show the reversed "10" regimental identification affixed atop the forage cap of the eleventh man from the left, discounting the kneeling and sitting figures in front.
Only three of the men are still dressed in the unit's second-issue zouave uniform of October 1861, beginning with the fellow fourth from the far right, who also apparently displays the Company "A" designation on the front of his fez. (More clearly, the "A" can also be seen atop the forage cap worn by the man in the rear rank just to the right of the image's center.) The two other men still wearing the nearly complete National Zouaves uniform appear as the third and fifth from the left, discounting the man kneeling in his great coat. Both these fellows wear the red skullcap fez, the dark brown cutaway jacket, the red vest and cummerbund sash, and spacious sky blue pantaloons. The taller man's cap displays a quite oversized tassel. Three or four others appear to be wearing the skullcap fez, including the turbaned youngster sprawled in rear of the officer, as well as the other teen directly behind him, the latter also prominently displaying the shield badge on his breast.
It seems certain that the scene dates to 1862, but I'm ambivalent as to whether it's the spring versus the fall thereof. It's obvious that the company dress is very strongly dominated by the typical federal uniform, with four-button blouses prevalent and a few SNY jackets appearing. On the one hand, I'm uncertain whether the zouave uniform had all but disappeared from the 10th prior to the beginning of the Seven Days Campaign, by, say, May '62. On the other, though, it also seems questionable whether
any of the zouave suits would have survived in use following the regiment's forlorn-hope disaster, along with Duryee's 5th NY, at Second Bull Run in late August.
Finally, if you have not as yet tired of seeking magnified details, you might note that at least 4 of every 5 of these fellows, including the 12- or 13-year-olds in the front, are all smoking cigars.
Enjoy and Cheers,
Bob McDonald
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