Blindfool -
Beautiful work. I'm not only impressed with the paint job, but the fact that you've chosen to paint some of the UNION boys is a nice change for those of us who proudly wear the Blue. Well done! Keep 'em coming.
Dodge -
There were several 'Zouave' type units. Most of them were "Early War" period (ie: 61-62), and most (though not all) were Union units. (The Louisiana Tiger Zouaves are a good example of Zouaves on the Secessionist side). From what I understand, part of the problem with our interpretation of the Zouave uniform over here was that it was made of heavy wool, which made it absolutely miserable to wear in the long hot summers of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. The troops apparently -hated- wearing the uniform in the field for more than the most brief period of time.
My personal "favorite" unusually uniformed unit was the Garibaldi Guard, which was comprised primarily (despite the name) of Hungarian veterans of the 1848-49 War of Independence, as well as Italians, Czechs, etc, who were almost all veterans or the sons of veterans from the 1848-49 period in Europe. Interesting uniforms, flags actually smuggled out of the home countries, etc... And of course, completely impractical. But still pretty cool.
-Doc