11th New York Infantry Regiment

11th New York Infantry Regiment
11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment at Camp Lincoln on the heights opposite the Washington Navy Yard[1]
Active	May 7, 1861 – June 2, 1862
Country	United States of America
Allegiance	Union
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Infantry
Size	1,100
Part of	Willcox's Brigade, Heintzelman's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeastern Virginia
Nickname(s)	Ellsworth Zouaves, First Fire Zouaves, First Regiment New York Zouaves, and U.S. National Guards
Engagements	Battle of Arlington Mills First Battle of Bull Run Peninsula Campaign New York Draft Riots
Commanders
First Commander	Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth
Second Commander (Acting)	Lt. Col. Noah L. Farnham
Third and Final Commander	Col. Charles M. Loeser
Insignia
Colors of the 11th New York

The 11th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the Union Army in the early years of the American Civil War. The regiment was organized in New York City in May 1861 as a Zouave regiment, known for its unusual dress and drill style, by Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth, a personal friend of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.^[2] Drawn from the ranks of the city's many volunteer fire companies, the unit was known alternately as the Ellsworth Zouaves, First Fire Zouaves, First Regiment New York Zouaves, and U.S. National Guards.^[2]

The unit was among the first to occupy the territory of a Confederate state when it captured Alexandria, Virginia, on May 24, 1861, less than 24 hours after the Commonwealth seceded from the Union. The regiment suffered extensive casualties during the First Battle of Bull Run during the fighting on Henry House Hill and while serving as the rear guard for the retreating Union Army.

The regiment would later be stationed near Hampton Roads during the Peninsula Campaign, but experienced little fighting. Sent back to New York City in May 1862, the regiment was mustered out of service on June 2, 1862. There were several attempts to reorganize as a light infantry regiment through the summer of 1863, and many new enlistees were involved in suppressing the New York Draft Riots but those efforts failed and the enlistees were transferred to the 17th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment.