During the Civil War, Europeans like Giuseppe Garibaldi, and Ferdinand Von Zeppelin served in the Union army. How common was this and what compelled them to serve?

by elicubs44
khosikulu

Garibaldi did not serve. Regarding his potential service offers, and the nuances thereof, see this thread from about a month ago with useful commentary from our own /u/Georgy_K_Zhukov. It may also shed some light on the political nature of contemplating such acts by prominent Europeans.