Confederate tartan question

[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....

[macwilkin]

Some scholars suggest that the 79th did wear trews (Cameron of Erracht) in the field, but not kilts.

This is very interesting about the 23rd NC. I think Matt and Woodsheal's post are "spot on" in this thread. If there were any Kilted Southern units, they were most likely militia units, which were, as Woodsheal mentioned, "chum-and-chowder" societies. Also, to follow-up on Gilmore's comments, there were several militia units throughout the South which had British and/or Scottish names, with expats serving in them, not to mention other expats serving in other units -- the most famous being the Scot William Watson, who served in the 3rd Louisiana Infantry Regiment at "my" battlefield, Wilson's Creek.

When I'm out at the park next week, I'll see if we have anything on the 23rd that might shed some light on this -- unit history, etc. I would also contact Gettysburg directly and see what information they have on the coat and the 23rd.

Now I'm off to the STA to look it up! :mrgreen:

Thanks, Gilmore, for bringing this little historical tidbit up!

T.