Background note:

Outrageously colorful and outlandishly styled, the zouave costume appealed to the tastes of many of the more flamboyant members of the Union army. Following the extensive publicity given to Duryea's and Ellsworth's Zouaves early in the war, several states accepted zouave units into their ranks.

One of these units, the Lancaster (or First City) Zouaves, was initially organized in Lancaster County, Pa., during the winter of 1861-62, in response to the national crisis. Drilling throughout the early months of 1862, the regiment held a benefit ball at Fulton Hall, Lancaster, on April 8 to assist in the purchase of uniforms. With the proceeds, the unit outfitted themselves in blue uniforms with red trim and leggings, modeled on the uniforms worn by Duryea's Zouaves. Through the influence of state senator, Gen. Bartram A. Schaeffer, the company was outfitted during the summer with rifles and were reorganized (and thus sometimes called Schaeffer's Zouaves), becoming the nucleus for a Lancaster County Regiment, the 122nd Pennsylvania Infantry, a one year regiment. As Company K, the Lancaster Zouaves served under Amiel W. Whipple in the 3rd Division of the 3rd Corps, Army of the Potomac. They were present at Fredericksburg and engaged at Chancellorsville, before being mustered out of the service in May, 1863.

Scope and contents:

The records books of the Lancaster Zouaves contains the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and membership rolls of the unit that became Company K of the 122nd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. It appears to have been kept by W.H.H. Cox (identified as secretary), though Cox's name does not appear on the muster rolls of the 122nd Pennsylvania. The book includes meeting minutes for the company's brief existence, records of the election of officers, details on the organization of the company, drills and parades, and other standard military matters. Of particular interest are the elaborate plans, expense accounts, and reports for the benefit ball held in April, 1862.

Reference:

Sprenger, George F. Concise history of the camp and field life of the 122nd regiment, Penn'a volunteers... (Lancaster, Pa., 1885).

M-1898
Recat. 3/97 rsc

Link to subject index to the Lancaster Zouaves Records

Alphabetic index to the Schoff Civil War Collections

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