The Chicago Zouaves Executing Their Drill in New York

One of Chicago’s militia units prior to the outbreak of the Civil War.

It was not uncommon for cities across America to host their own militias in the early and mid-19th century, and the Chicago Zouaves were one such company organized in 1859. Under the leadership of Elmer Elmsworth, the unit (comprised of barely 50 men) adopted the bright uniform (and accompanying attitude) of French Zouaves from the Crimean War.

This print from an 1860 issue of Harper’s Weekly shows the group in New York during a tour of the East Coast in 1860. Drills were performed regularly to encourage public interest and financial support, though the group effectively disbanded after the outbreak of the Civil War, at which point its members joined official companies.