The Salem Zouaves, Company I, 8th Massachusetts Militia, 1861
15 mm Heritage Miniatures painted in the Zouave uniform of the Salem Light Infantry. The Salem Zouaves are mounted on 25 × 22 mm infantry stands compatible with Fire and Fury.
When President Lincoln called for volunteers in 1861, the Salem Zouaves were among the first units to respond. They formed Company I of the 8th Massachusetts Militia (The Minute Men). Captain Arthur F. Devereux was the company commander. The 8th Massachusetts left for Annapolis, Maryland, on 18 April 1861, to guard the frigate U.S.S. Constitution until it was safely removed to New York Harbour. Four days after their return to Washington, the Salem Zouaves were officially mustered into the Union Army on 30 April 1861, and they served a three-months period of enlistment until August 1861.
Uniform
- dark blue Zouave jacket with scarlet trim
- dark blue trousers with scarlet stripe
- white gaiters
- scarlet kepi
Campaign History
- Annapolis, Maryland, April 1861
- Washington, April 1861
- Relay House, Maryland, 11 May – 26 June 1861
- Baltimore, Maryland, 26 June – 29 July 1861
While the Salem Zouaves only served for a three-months entlistment period and saw no major action, the painted miniatures may be used as universal soldiers to also represent the Maryland Guard Zouaves of the Confederate Army.
Bibliography
- Katcher, Philip: American Civil War Armies (5): Volunteer Militias (London 1989)