146th New York Zouaves Officer, 1863

The 146th Zouaves Regiment was raised at New York on October 1862 and joined the Army of the Potomac in November. According to the usual custom of nicknaming the regiments from their commanding officer, they were known as the “Garrard’s Tigers” because of their commander, Colonel Kenner Garrard.

They took part in many battles, like Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg or the Siege of Petersburg, and its successive battles.

But the hardest battle for the 146th of New York was the battle of the Wilderness May, 1864. They suffered heavy casualties, counting the soldiers killed in action, wounded, prisoners and missing in action. After recovering, the regiment served with distinction until the end of the war.

The troopers of the regiment wore French style uniforms inspired by those of the Tirailleurs algériens in light blue with yellow lace. Our bust portrays an officer, whose uniform consists on a dark blue short jacket and a red kepi with golden lace.