The 9th NYVI was the first union zouave regiment enter the war of the rebellion. The Hawkins Zouaves were first formed in 1860 as a prewar military club from New York City. The 9th NYVI had a term of enlistment of 2 years.
The Regiment was uniformed in a colorful blue and red uniform which was based upon the type worn by French "Zouaves."
The founder of the regiment was a handsome young lawyer named Rush C. Hawkins. Hawkins was an avid collector of rare books, and a military enthusiast. The regiment first saw action on February 7, 1862 in North Carolina. At the Battle of Roanoke Island the Zouaves stormed rebel earthworks and gained national attention,
much to the dismay of the less colorful union regiments.
The regiment was to prove its worth later on that same year on September 17, at the Battle of Antietam. More
than 60% of the Regiment fell that day in the Town of Sharpsburg, MD. The regiments courage under fire was the "High Water Mark" of the battle.
9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry
"Hawkins' Zouaves"
Brief unit history
Organized at New York City and mustered into State service April 23, 1861.
Mustered into United States service May 4, 1861. At Castle Garden until May 15, and Riker's Island, NY, until June 5. Left State for Newport News, Va., June 6, 1861.
Attached to Newport News, Va., Dept. of Virginia, to January, 1862. Parke's 3rd Brigade, Burnside's North Carolina Expeditionary Corps, to April, 1862. Hawkins' 4th Brigade, Roanoke Island, N. C., Dept. of North Carolina, to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to May, 1863.
SERVICE.--Duty at Newport News, Va., until September 10, 1861. Forced march to Big Bethel June 10. Baker Lee's, Va., June 29 (Co. "A"). James River, near Newport News, July 5 (Co. "F"). Near Bethel July 8 (Co. "A").
Expedition to Hatteras Inlet August 26-29 (Cos. "C," "G" and "H"). Bombardment and capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark August 28-29 (Cos. "C," "G" and "H"). Companies "A," "D," "E," "F" and "I" moved to Fort Clark September 10 and duty there until February 5, 1862. (Cos. "B" and "K" at Newport News until October 5, 1861, then rejoin Regiment.)
Relief of 20th Indiana at Chickamicomoco October 5-6, 1861. Burnside's Expedition to Roanoke Island February 5-8, 1862. Battle of Roanoke Island February 8. Reconnaissance to Nag's Head February 10-11 (Cos. "A" and "H"). Expedition up Chowan River to Winton February 18-20. Expedition to Elizabeth City, N. C., April 7-8 (Cos. "H" and "I").
Battle of Camden, South Mills, April 19. Duty at Roanoke Island until July 10. Expedition up Chowan River May 7-9 (Co. "C"). Moved to Norfolk, thence to Newport News, Va., July 10-24. (Co. "F" detached at Plymouth, N. C., June to November, 1862.
Capture of Hamilton July 9. Plymouth September 2. Expedition to Tarboro October 30-November 12. Rawle's Mills November 2. Rejoined Regiment at Fredericksburg.) Moved to Aquia Creek and Fredericksburg August 3-5 and duty there until August 30. Expedition to Port Royal August 15-16 (Co. "H"). Rappahannock River August 15 (Co. "H").
Moved to Brooks' Station, thence to Washington, D. C, August 31-September 5. Maryland Campaign. Near Jefferson September 13. South Mountain September 14. Battle of Antietam September 16-17. Duty in Pleasant Valley until October 28.
Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 28-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. (Co. "G" at Burnside's Headquarters October 31, 1862, to January, 1863.) "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Moved to Newport News, Va., February 6; thence to Suffolk March 10. Siege of Suffolk April 12-May 4. Moved to New York May 3-5. Three years' men assigned to 3rd New York Infantry May 6, 1863. Regiment mustered out May 20, 1863, expiration of term.
Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 69 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 23 Enlisted men by disease. Total 96.
