Toujours Pret (Always Ready)

Hawkins Zouaves, 9th New York Volunteer Infantry, Battle of Antietam, 1862

Into the Fray, Hawkins Zouaves, painting by Kenneth Ferguson

Original watercolor, 24" x 24" PRICE: $ 5,200.00

The 9th New York was one of the first regiments in Manhattan to answer President Lincoln's call for troops to preserve the Union. The unit's founder was the dashing Rush C. Hawkins. Mexican war veteran, successful lawyer and collector of rare books, Hawkins directed his energy into forming a regiment that would make his city proud. As the Colonel of a new 2-year volunteer regiment, Hawkins used his initiative and contracted Brooks Brothers to outfit the troops in uniforms modeled after those worn by France's elite Zouave regiments.

The 9th New York first saw action on Roanoke Island off the coast of the Carolinas. After that, the 9th was transferred to the Army of the Potomac in time to participate in the Maryland campaign against Lee's invading Army of Northern Virginia. On the bloodiest single day in American history, the Zouaves of the 9th New York Volunteer Infantry followed their red silk regimental standard, emblazoned with the motto, "Toujours Pret" (Always Ready), crossed Antietam Creek and ascended a steep ridge under withering fire to come within view of the streets of Sharpsburg and Lee's exposed right flank. With victory in sight, the New Yorkers found their own flank in danger by the sudden appearance on the field of Confederate General A.P. Hill's hard marching division. This turn of events forced the 9th New York to withdraw from their hard fought ground. Loosing 240 of their 373 Hawkins Zouaves earned their place in history on that bloody day in September of 1862.

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