Confederate tartan question

[M. A. C. Newsome]

The details of this tartan were submitted to the STA by Dr. Phil Smith. It's apparantly an artifact peice. The notes indicate that it was used as a "cape lining, regulation issue, 23rd North Carolina Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States of America (1861). From a uniform on display at the National Visitors' Centrer Museum, Gettysburg, PA."

Aye,
Matt

[gilmore]

Do you know of any kilted Confederates?

[Tattoo Bradley]

Funny this thread came up. I have known for years that there was a Confederate soldier in my lineage. But, a few days ago I received his name and relation from my grandmother. He's a direct relative: great-great-great-great grandfather. Rather sidetracking the original thread, but I thought it was neat. I really like the "Confederate Memorial" tartan... the gray is so symbolic.

[Woodsheal]

Do you know of any kilted Confederates?

I've been reading CW history since I was a wee lad, and I've never come across any mention of kilted Confederates in the field during the war. However, the south in particular went in for elaborately uniformed militia companies in the years prior to the war. These units no longer functioned as actual militia, but had become more along the line of gentlemen's clubs, who tried to out-do each other in the area of uniforms and extravagant picnics! It wouldn't surprise me at all if kilts appeared in some of these militia groups.

But in the field? No, and that goes for the Federals as well....

[gilmore]

<<<I've been reading CW history since I was a wee lad, and I've never come across any mention of kilted Confederates in the field during the war. However, the south in particular went in for elaborately uniformed militia companies in the years prior to the war. These units no longer functioned as actual militia, but had become more along the line of gentlemen's clubs, who tried to out-do each other in the area of uniforms and extravagant picnics! It wouldn't surprise me at all if kilts appeared in some of these militia groups.>>>


That would make sense, if the vogue for Scottish dress that had started early in the 19th Century in the UK had made inroads into the notions of Southern sartorial splendor. There were certainly enough Southern gentlemen of Scots descent, and many, like their British counterparts, were probably far enough removed from their humble Scottish origins to have developed a nostalgia for it, rather than being embarassed by it. As Mark Twain and others observed, the romaticism of the novels of Sir Walter Scott had a lot to do with Southern readiness to secede and fight.

[Andrew Green]

I thought that NY had a kilted regiment, that fought at the first battle of Bull Run/Manassas?

[Oatmeal Savage]

I suggest checking:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/index.php

The folks there are very knowledgeable.

Kevin

[michael steinrok]

I thought that NY had a kilted regiment, that fought at the first battle of Bull Run/Manassas?

I think it was the 79th New York. They wore the Cameron Tartan on parade. Sadly, it appears it was never worn in combat.

[Woodsheal]

I think it was the 79th New York. They wore the Cameron Tartan on parade. Sadly, it appears it was never worn in combat.

Correct. The 79th took the field in standard Federal uniform, though one or two officers may have worn tartan trews early on....

[gilmore]

The details of this tartan were submitted to the STA by Dr. Phil Smith. It's apparantly an artifact peice. The notes indicate that it was used as a "cape lining, regulation issue, 23rd North Carolina Volunteer Infantry, Confederate States of America (1861). From a uniform on display at the National Visitors' Centrer Museum, Gettysburg, PA."

Aye,
Matt

PS. Thanks for your prompt and knowledgeable reply