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This painting depicts two 14th Brooklyn soldiers in the distinctive uniform design based on that of the French Chasseurs. The uniform consisted of pleated red trousers and a skirted blue chasseur jacket. A double row of fourteen or fifteen brass buttons adorned the front of the jacket. Under the jacket, a fifteen-button red waistcoat, or vest, was worn. Red chevrons were worn on the forearms of both sleeves. The men wore white leggings or gaiters; the outfit topped off with a red kepi with a blue band and crown upon which the number 14 shone in brass numerals. White gloves and paper collars were worn for dress parade.

Credit: ©1996, Keith Rocco and Traditional Studios www.keithrocco.com

The 14th Brooklyn, by Keith Rocco. Clad in French-inspired Chasseur uniforms, the 84th New York, popularly known as the 14th Brooklyn, went into action on July 1 at Gettysburg, suffering 217 casualties out of a total of 318 officers and men. Other units in the army wore French-style Zouave uniforms, including the 23rd, 72nd, 95th and 114th Pennsylvania, the exact patterns of these uniforms varying according to the whims of the officers who originally chose the uniforms. As the war went on, many Zouave units abandoned this flashy apparel after it became apparent that they made great targets in such bright outfits.