Historical Sketch And Roster Of The Louisiana 1st Infantry Battalion (Coppen’s) (Louisiana Regimental History Series)

The Louisiana 1st Zouave Battalion was formed with six companies on March 22, 1861, at Camp Walker, near New Orleans, Louisiana, by G. A. G. Coppens. It boasted of many experienced veterans of the Crimean War. Their uniforms were red Turkish trousers, red kepis, and blue jackets, and their orders were given in French. With about 600 officers and men, the unit moved to Virginia. The composition of the companies was rumored to be recruits from the jails and prisons of New Orleans, but, the members were for the most part laborers and workmen. The third company was comprised mostly of men of French or Louisiana Creole French heritage; the fifth company was predominantly native born, English speaking Americans, and about 20 percent of the battalion's men were of Swiss origin. With nationalities represented in the ranks including German, Italian, Spanish, Irish, and English, the battalion was easily the closest thing to a foreign legion that the Confederate Army had. The actions of the Zouaves on and off the battlefield led to their being referred to as Jeff Davis' Pet Wolves, and ultimately to all Louisiana soldiers eventually being called "tigers." After initial deployment to Pensacola, the Battalion was transferred to Virginia in 1862. They fought throughout the war in Virginia. 52 were killed in battle, 26 died of disease, and 2 died accidentally.