Zouaves
Zouaves, an elite corps of French colonial infantry, notable for their rapid and vigorous system of drill and for their colorful uniform of red, baggy trousers, blue jacket, and fez. The original Zouaves were a fair-haired, blue-eyed Berber people of the Algerian deserts called Zouaoua or Zawia. They were employed as soldiers by the dey (governor) of Algiers and later by the French. Heroism of French Zouaves in the Crimean War led many armies to form elite regiments that adopted the Zouave uniforms and drills.
Elmer E. Ellsworth popularized the Zouave drill and uniform in the United States with a Chicago drill team in 1860. Several volunteer regiments in the Civil War adopted the uniform and name. Ellsworth was the first Union officer killed in the war, while colonel of the New York Fire Zouaves in the occupation of Alexandria, Virginia.