Zouave Fez

1861-1865

Felt hats, in the shape of a truncated cone, like this one, added an exotic flair to the highly elaborate and distinct Zouave uniform. The navy blue felt and green tassel combination of this fez typically indicated an Irish regiment. This fez was a part of a uniform from the 164th New York Infantry Regiment, also known as Corcoran’s Irish Legion. This regiment received volunteers from Irish immigrant communities in both the western and eastern cities of New York.