Show Posts
1
Regiments (Game Clans) / 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry "Zouave's D'afrique/Collis Zouave's"
« on: February 24, 2021, 07:14:33 am »
 History of the 114thThe 114th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were notable for their colorful Americanized version of the Zouave uniform worn in emulation of certain French light-infantry units that became world-famous during France's colonization of North Africa, the Crimean War, and the Second War of Italian Independence fought in the years prior to the American Civil War. The regiment was the brain-child of Charles H. T. Collis, an Irish immigrant who settled in Philadelphia becoming a prominent young lawyer. Collis initially raised only a small company of men calling them the "Zouaves d'Afrique" which served while attached to other regiments. They saw action in the 1862 Shenandoah Valley Campaign, the Battle of Cedar Mountain, and the Battle of Antietam. The "Zouaves d'Afrique" were much admired for their military bearing and prowess in battle to the point that it was decided to raise a full-sized regiment which was given the numeric designation of 114th Volunteer Infantry. There were plenty of Zouave regiment during the civil war, arguably the most famous Union Zouave regiments were from New York and Pennsylvania: the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, "Duryee's Zouaves" (after its first colonel, Abram Duryee), the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry; "Collis's Zouaves" (after their colonel, Charles H. T. Collis); and the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry, the "Fire Zouaves". The 11th New York was initially led by Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth, until his death in 1861. Interested In Mustering with us?If interested in mustering please respond with Forum Name (should match Steam name): Time zone: Steam Gamer Tag/Steam ID: Ability to access Alpha: Historical Name: Age: Goals Of This Regiment114th Monument This monument, dedicated on July 2, 1886, marks where the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry was positioned during the heaviest fighting on the Second Day of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 2, 1863). The regiment, known as the "Collis Zouaves" after their Colonel, Charles H.T. Collis, was notably attired in the bright red pants of the French Zouave soldier during the Campaign. On July 2 it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Frederick F. Cavada (Colonel Collis having been wounded at Chancellorsville). The regiment was first positioned behind artillery pieces in support, and spent some of the day lying prone to escape the Confederate artillery fire. When the Confederates attacked, the regiment was quickly moved across Emmitsburg Road to protect the Union Batteries there, and formed a line at the Sherfy Farmhouse in conjunction with the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry. The Confederate advance then tore through the 114th Pennsylvania, sending the unit streaming back in retreat, which unhinged the Union line. Lt. Colonel Cavada succumbed to exhaustion early during the retreat, and was captured, being unable to run. The remnants of the unit came under command of Captain Edward R. Bowen, who rallied the survivors around its flag several times during its retreat to Cemetery Ridge. The men of the 114th Pennsylvania were unable to rejoin their brigade until the morning of July 3rd. On that day, the Third of the Battle, they remained in the Woods until sent to the Union center to support Cowen's Battery during Pickett's Charge. After the repulse of the Confederate attack, Captain Bowen detailed some of his men to retrieve weapons abandoned by the Rebels. His men gathered over 300 arms from the fields in their front. The 114th Pennsylvania Infantry, with 296 men at the start of the Battle, lost 19 men killed and 76 wounded. |  114th Battle Honours Antietam "Millers Corn field" Gettysburg Fredericksburg Petersburg Middletown Cedar Mountain Chancellorsville Wapping Heights Auburn Kelly's Ford Mine Run Wilderness Guinea's Station |
 | Uniform of the 114th The 114th Pennsylvania's uniform from top to bottom began with a red Moroccan style fez with a yellow-gold tassel worn crushed downward on the back of the head like a skull cap. Some men were issued fezzes that were too large so they compensated by turning up the brim giving the fez the appearance of a beanie. The collarless jacket was dark blue with sky blue cuffs and red trim. Arabesque designs on the jacket breasts were called tombeux and gave the appearance of large false pockets trimmed in red. A sky blue sash was worn wrapped tightly around the waist with Chasseur style madder red trousers, white leggings (gaiters), and leather jambières rounding out the ensemble. For dress parade and guard mount duty the fez was augmented with a white turban which was wound around the head in Arabic style. Although the turban was not worn on the march or in battle it has often been erroneously portrayed as such in post-war art. The material for the uniforms was imported from France by Colonel Collis himself. Like other Zouave regiments raised in the larger cities of America, the 114th attracted some immigrants to its ranks who were veterans of European wars, but the rank and file consisted mostly of American-born citizens from Philadelphia and its surrounding counties.  In the Antietam Campaign:The Regiment fought in the Federal XII Corps attack at the northern part of the battlefield on 17 September: through the Cornfield, and between the East and West Woods. The Zouaves were attached to the 2nd Massachusetts Infantry - there were no officers with the unit at Antietam: "I would include in this commendation the few remaining men of the company of the Zouaves d'Afrique attached to this regiment; their only remaining officer was necessarily absent sick. Of the company of Zouaves d'Afrique, 3 were wounded, 1 of whom is missing." - Report of Col Andrews, 2nd Mass. Captain Charles H. T. Collis This company included many French soldiers who had served as Zouaves in the campaigns of France and who had been identified with the 18th Regiment, in the three months' service. It was recruited at Philadelphia by Charles H. T. Collis, proposing to serve as a bodyguard to Major-Gen. N. P. Banks. The uniform adopted was that of the French Zouaves d'Afrique and was retained by the 114th Regiment, to which it was latter attached, throughout the war. |
[/td][/tr][/table]
