Richard Thomas Zarvona (October 27, 1833 – March 17, 1875), born Richard Thomas Jr., was an American adventurer, soldier, and a Confederate Army officer who became known as "the French lady" after he disguised himself as a woman to seize a passenger steamer during the American Civil War.

It was then that he added "Zarvona" to his name; family legend establishing a French love who died and whose name he took.

[2] In April 1861 Zarvona formulated his idea to support the Confederacy by either becoming an engineer officer or by going to the sea.

A month later he formed a command of Zouaves that eventually would become Company H of the 47th Virginia Infantry Regiment.

A disguised Thomas and a crew of accomplices seized the Bostoner passenger steamer St. Nicholas, planning to use it to raid the sloop of war USS Pawnee.