Tencents, if you aren't familiar with the Zouaves, they were soldiers, who stood out because of their lavish uniforms and dress. The Union or Federal Zouaves dressed in red baggy trousers, white gators, or leggings, and most wore ornate vests, and wore a tassled fez for headgear, or a variation of headgear adopted by their particular unit. These uniforms were of foreign design and made these soldiers stand out. Most of the Federal Zouaves consisted of Firemen which had enlisted and became soldiers. Col Elmer Ellsworth was a young and upcoming officer in the Union Army. He formed and trained the New York Fire Zouaves. Col Ellsworth was a personal friend of President Abraham Lincoln and was said to be the first Union officer to be killed in the Civil War after cutting down a Confetrit flag that was flying above an Inn in Alexandria, Virginia. Col Ellsworths personal guard returned fire and killed the Innkeeper who had shot and killed his Col. If you have ever seen this pic. of the soldier who killed the Innkeeper, he is dressed in his Zouave uniform. The Confetrits had Zouaves too, and a number of them were from Louisianna and were known as "Wheats Tigers", or Col. Wheat's Zouves. A lot of these Zouaves were of French and Creole origin. Although not quite as flashy as their Northern counterparts, they too sore the foreign dress uniforms and were known to be very tough and well trained soldiers.
