Scots and the american civil war

[lammy d]

I thought this might interest some people on here
http://www.thesocietyofwilliamwallac...sacivilwar.htm

[bchunter]

Thank you. David Ross is an interesting fellow, but I'd no idea that he had done this research. Indeed, there were many of Scottish blood on both sides of the Civil War.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Thank you. David Ross is an interesting fellow, but I'd no idea that he had done this research. Indeed, there were many of Scottish blood on both sides of the Civil War.

Quite so. I was chuffed to discover that I had a g-g-grand uncle at Gettysburg. It was in the orchard of his farm that General Pickett organized his troops before leading them on their heroic, but mad, charge. During and after the battle the house was used as a make shift hospital.

Hmm. Since the house was on the Confederate side of the battle and used (at least initially) as a Confederate hospital I wonder if that will qualify me for membership in the Sons of the Confederacy? Probably not, as the farm is a bit north of the Mason Dixon line! Oh well... you can't have it all, or so they say!

[Joel]

Quite so. I was chuffed to discover that I had a g-g-grand uncle at Gettysburg. It was in the orchard of his farm that General Pickett organized his troops before leading them on their heroic, but mad, charge. During and after the battle the house was used as a make shift hospital.

Maybe yours and mine were neighbours. My family were the Bliss'...their farm was destroyed by the Union troops of Genl. Alexander Hays. It lay directly between the lines...about a half mile East of the MacMillan's. And I've seen the MacMillan farm on Seminary Ridge, quite a lovely place.

The 79th New York Volunteer Infantry (a.k.a. 79th New York State Militia) was a predominantly Scottish unit. They wore the Cameron of Erracht. For dress, they wore their kilts, horsehair sporrans and such. They wore tartan trousers for field use.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When my wife and I made the decision to move to the USA we actually had the opportunity to buy that property, but passed due to a number of factors-- the farm house is very tiny and it would have been impossible to enlarge it; summer weather was another consideration as Lady R can't do heat; the Fourth of July crowds were another factor, as was the total arrogance of the National Park staff.

The house, by the way, is haunted by the ghost of a Confederate soldier who is often seen trying to wind the tall clock in the drawing room. The clock and some of the other furnishings in the house are original to my family, and always convey with the property.

That's quite an impressive photo you use as an avatar-- you must post a full-size so we can see the details of your uniform.

[Urchurdan]

I had the priviledge of meeting David Ross this year at the Dumfries gathering,his historical knowledge is fantastic, I listened for an hour to his lecture, amazing.
This is a pic I took of him that day


On the subject of the Civil War, this pic was taken at our Clan Ball at the Gathering, our Chief is on the left, my wife and I on the other side of one of our Clan Flags, my wife is from Iowa, she wasn't too sure about the Flag, however, she realised it was a historical link, and bears no other meaning for our Clan other than that. I am really proud of our Chief, he has done so much to keep our Clan alive, if it was not for him and my American Kinsfolk, it would have probably disappeared as a Clan long ago. Like Mr Ross, his historical knowledge both of Scotland and the United States is phenomanal.

[macwilkin]

When my wife and I made the decision to move to the USA we actually had the opportunity to buy that property, but passed due to a number of factors-- the farm house is very tiny and it would have been impossible to enlarge it; summer weather was another consideration as Lady R can't do heat; the Fourth of July crowds were another factor, as was the total arrogance of the National Park staff.

The house, by the way, is haunted by the ghost of a Confederate soldier who is often seen trying to wind the tall clock in the drawing room. The clock and some of the other furnishings in the house are original to my family, and always convey with the property.

That's quite an impressive photo you use as an avatar-- you must post a full-size so we can see the details of your uniform.

Scott,

I'm sorry to hear you say "the total arrogance of the National Park staff"; I would daresay part of that may be due to a very stressful situation of working a major holiday event on the actual anniversary of the battle. While that certainly does not excuse such behaviour by any means, as a former NPS ranger (and d***ed proud of it!), see this phrase caused my heart to drop into my stomach.

T.

[CoreyMacLeod]

My Great Great Great received a Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Antietam. He took a shot to the eye at Crater and that put him out for the rest of the campaign. The Scot line didn't come in until after him.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Scott,

I'm sorry to hear you say "the total arrogance of the National Park staff"; I would daresay part of that may be due to a very stressful situation of working a major holiday event on the actual anniversary of the battle. While that certainly does not excuse such behaviour by any means, as a former NPS ranger (and d***ed proud of it!), see this phrase caused my heart to drop into my stomach.

T.

Todd,
I would be the last, absolutely last, to disparage the NPS, or those involved with the National Park Service who, like yourself, dedicate their time, talent, and treasure in making the living history aspect of our national heritage come to life.

Since we looked at the Gettysburg property in October/November we could only assume that the guy we dealt with was a jerk-- an opinion widely held, and shared with us, by the local community. In any event we didn't buy the house so the point really is moot.

That said, I will stand by my opening statement: I have the fullest measure of respect for all of those individuals involved in the living history programs which are a feature of many of our National Parks. You guys do an excellent job, and really do bring our national heritage to life.

[Santa Kona]

Very interesting thanks.