"Using them as the only support for a forwardly place battery on an open battlefield was a tactical mistake." Chief, is it possible the officers not familiar with Zouave tactics would be more likely to amke poor use of them? BTW, I read somewhere that the 5th New York Zouaves were of greater than normal height, while you mentioned earlier that Zouaves wee smaller and more agile, to better execute their role. After Fredericksburg, they covered Burnside's retreat. Perhaps the lesson was being learned. Stan