This image is a period engraving of Colonel Rush C. Hawkins of the 9th New York Zouaves. The engraving shows Hawkins in an early version of the regiment’s uniform. He is shown wearing a jacket with Russian knots on the shoulder with bound edges, a vest with a single row of buttons running between parallel lines and a kepi with braid around the base and side with an infantry hunting horn with a number “9” at center and a pom-pom at top.

The engraving is sharp and the paper and mount have just a tiny bit of surface dirt. The reverse is blank.

Rush C. Hawkins was born in Pomfret, Vermont on September 14, 1831. At the age of 15, Hawkins enlisted in the 2nd United States Dragoons for service in the Mexican War. After the war he settled in New York City where he studied law.

In 1861, Hawkins helped raise the 9th New York Infantry, also known as "Hawkins Zouaves.” Hawkins was appointed Colonel of the regiment on May 4, 1861 and served with distinction in North Carolina where he and his regiment were part of Benjamin F. Butler's expedition to capture Fort Hatteras.

During the campaign Hawkins was relieved of his command for insubordination. While waiting for a resolution in his case he caught the attention of President Lincoln and General McClellan with a plan for a combined assault on Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. This objective was given to General Ambrose Burnside's North Carolina Expedition.

Returned to duty Hawkins took part in the battles of Roanoke Island and New Bern in February and March of 1862. With reinforcements arriving in North Carolina in April 1862, Hawkins assumed command of a brigade which was attached to Jesse L. Reno's division and fought at the battle of South Mills where Colonel Hawkins was wounded in the left arm.

After recovering from his wound Hawkins rejoined his regiment in Virginia and briefly commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, IX Corps. He was not present with the brigade during the Maryland Campaign but resumed command during the battle of Fredericksburg. After Fredericksburg, the 3rd Division, commanded by George W. Getty, was transferred to the VII Corps in southeast Virginia. Hawkins led his brigade (now the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, VII Corps) during the siege of Suffolk. Just two days before the siege was lifted, Hawkins turned over command of his brigade and on May 20, 1863 was mustered out of the volunteer service with his old regiment. He did not return to active duty but was appointed brevet brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on March 13, 1865. He remained active in the New York Militia receiving a brevet promotion to brigadier general of New York Militia in 1865.

After the war he lived in New York and became a collector of rare books and art. He died at age 89 and is buried in the Annmary Brown Memorial, Providence, Rhode Island.  [ad]

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