Zarvona's Zouaves, CSA
Alternate Designations
Zarvona's Independant Zouave Company
47th VA Inf., Co. H
Maryland Zouaves
Zarvona's Zouaves
History
In June 1861, Richard Thomas aka Richard Thomas Zarvona, and his band of men hatched a plan to seize the U.S.S. Pawnee, by seizing a steamer from Baltimore, the St. Nicholas, that regularly brought supplies to her. Zarvona went aboard ship dressed as a French woman, to hide his identity and create surprise. The St. Nicholas was captured, along with three other sailing vessels, though the Pawnee escaped. Zarvona's exploits ended with his capture by Union troops when returning to Baltimore, and he was imprisoned under hard conditions - as a civilian combatant, rather than a prsioner of war. Prior to this he was raising a Zouave Company, which would later form a part of the 47th Virginia Infantry. See The Chesapeake Corsair for a more complete account of the complicated saga of the "French Lady."
Links
Information about Confederate Zouave Regiment's from Maryland
