Step beyond the familiar story of blue and gray uniforms and uncover a lesser-known chapter of the Civil War. Join us on Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 AM, immediately following our Memorial Day Commemoration, for a fascinating living history experience.

Meet Carl Ey, a Civil War soldier from Company G of the 74th New York Regiment—also known as the Eagle Zouaves—and hear firsthand the story of these striking and unconventional troops. Formed from volunteers of Buffalo’s Eagle Hose Company, the Eagle Zouaves stood out with their vibrant uniforms: red trousers trimmed in yellow, dark blue jackets with red accents, white leggings, and distinctive tasseled caps.

Inspired by elite Algerian fighters adopted by the French Army and later introduced to the United States by Captain George McClellan after the Crimean War, Zouave regiments brought both flair and fierce fighting spirit to the battlefield. These soldiers—nicknamed “Zoo-zoos”—fought in some of the Civil War’s most significant engagements, from First Bull Run to Gettysburg and Appomattox.

Their legacy is remarkable: the first Union officer killed in action, the first recipient of the Medal of Honor, and even one of the final Union soldiers to fall before the war’s end were all Zouaves.

Don’t miss this engaging presentation that brings history to life through storytelling, tradition, and the vivid legacy of one of the Civil War’s most unique fighting forces.