Help for the Future: Boston Light Infantry Zouaves

[StarsStripesandRedDragon]

Hey y'all!

I'm one year into the reenacting hobby and I absolutely love it! And I will definitely continue to participate in the future. That said, I wanted to try something different from the standard Union Solider later on in my life. I've always had a soft-spot for the Zouave regiments (don't particularly know why, other than it takes cojones to wear bright colored pants and fezzes and caps on a battlefield) and I found a little portrayed unit of Zouaves from Boston: The Boston Light Infantry Zouaves, otherwise known as the "Tigers" (43rd Mass. Inf.) However, there is little information to be found on them. Does anybody know anything about them or know someone who knows something? Please let me know. Thanks again!

Sincerely,
Pvt. B. James Thomas Williams
2nd Volunteer Garrison, OK State University

[FranklinGuardsNYSM]

As I understand it, the Boston Light Infantry was a militia company, which adopted the zouave uniform in 1861 when it was the costume de rigeur. The 43rd MVM isn't recruited until late 1862 for 9 months, with the old BLI as the nucleus. They're sent to North Carolina, where there are a couple photographs made in '63, none of which shows any remnant of the zouave uniform of two years prior, nor is any mention made of it in Edward Rogers' regimental memoir.

Love the zouaves, too, but this unit doesn't sound like a prime example.

[StarsStripesandRedDragon]

If so, and I don't doubt your information, then what unit to you advise me to try and reenact?

[Uncle Vern]

You might consider joining an existing Zouave unit, if you can find one in your area. I'm sure the veterans there would prove invaluable in refining your impression, whether you choose to join them or find some friends and start your own unit.