York's Ellsworth Zouaves, featured in an earlier post, were part of a gala celebration early in the war.
The Zouaves, a flashy military unit, provided a demonstration of close-order drills, as part of Fourth of July festivities in 1862, the first Independence Day celebrated during the war.
"Young and old, male and female, were all apparently baptized anew with the fire of patriotism ... ," The York Republican reported.
The fireworks that evening concluded with the ignition of a large arch, displaying the word "Union," with two large stars on either side.
Later that month, another celebration turned into tragedy... .
Continue reading Errant ramrod projectile fells York Fourth of July onlooker.
