Peekskill Sends Rare Civil War Uniform to The Atlantic Museum

Yesterday, for the first time, a piece of history housed in the Peekskill museum left for an extended stay in another state.

A special courier picked up a special package containing a uniform once belonging to Peekskill resident, John L. Hughes, a Hawkins Zouave, New York 9th Civil War Volunteer. He was one of more than 100 local men who volunteered to serve in that unit during the Civil War.  

This rare uniform is thought to be the last complete example in existence. Also making the trip is a garrison flag that flew over the encampment at Hatteras, North Carolina. This hand sewn, 35 star flag was presented to the family of  William Van Houten, another Peekskill resident who joined the Hawkins Zouaves on May 14, 1861. He died of disease at Hatteras Inlet on January 13, 1862. It is believed that the flag was presented to his family, who later donated it to the Peekskill Museum.

These items will be on loan to The Graveyard of The Atlantic Museum in North Carolina. They are preparing an exhibit to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Confederate attack on Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  The Hawkins Zouaves played an important role in that engagement.

The uniform includes jacket, trousers, fez (hat), sash, vest and leggings. This loan will give recognition to the Peekskill Museum and its mission to collect and preserve artifacts and images from Peekskill’s history and in this instance, the memory of the local men that served in the Civil War.    The uniform and flag will remain in North Carolina until March of 2012.