[CIVIL WAR]. Jacket and kepi of the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry, "Baxter's Zouaves," part of the Philadelphia Brigade.

Dark blue wool jacket trimmed in approx. 1/2 in. wide red wool tape along outer edges and a 1/8 in. worsted wool red tape running slightly apart but alongside the wider trim. Additional trim around the standing collar. Sixteen brass bullet buttons on each front side sewn between the tape bands. Hook and eye closure at neck. Both non-functional cuffs with two brass bullet buttons. Small slit on each side of jacket posterior connected with small wool extensions. Interior lining intact with one lined interior left breast pocket. Sleeves lined in white cotton with jacket's right sleeve bearing the stamp "R. & W." above a red scripted capital letter "B" and below a single stamped black sizing dot. Left sleeve lining with a stamped red number "1." 

Dark blue wool chasseur pattern kepi with narrow band red worsted wool trim and black visor. Measures 3 in. from visor to crown. Interior with brown cotton lining and drawstring closure in the crown. Black sweatband intact with a "5" scratched into the finish at the forehead area.

Coat with scattered mothing, with a small loss particularly evident at right shoulder. Small portions of jacket with loose and missing trim. Some separation of fabric along interior seams. Kepi with some areas of trim loose, missing, or otherwise damaged, but in generally excellent condition inside and out. Overall both pieces in very good condition.

Rockhill & Wilson of Philadelphia served as the clothier for the 72nd PA Zouaves, as well as other Pennsylvania Zouave regiments. Unlike other Zouave regiments, the uniform of the 72nd did not include a tombeau on the jacket and its distinctive sixteen bullet brass buttons down the front of the jacket were not part of the original French Zouave style uniform. Raised in August 1861 and commanded by Colonel DeWitt Clinton Baxter, the 72nd regiment (originally the 3rd California) was recruited from among the firemen of Philadelphia. "Baxter's Zouaves" or "Baxter's Fire Zouaves" as they were sometimes called, served for three years as part of the celebrated Philadelphia Brigade. The regiment was steadily engaged throughout the duration of its service including at Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and in the Wilderness Campaign. The 72nd is most recognized for its role at Gettysburg defending the Angle and repulsing Pickett's Charge.


The Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann