Post American Civil War Kilted Regiments Uniform?

[gilmore]

The accounts from Union scribes watching one of the major battles. Sorry don't have the name here, recorded an entire regiment of Irish immigrant confederate militia soldiers in kilt, and an entire Scottish immigrant Union kilted regiment going against each other.

Oh how I would love to see a painting of that encounter. I'll have to dig the full written account up. We had it at one of our meetings. Rather fascinating stuff.

I am very interested in hearing about the source of that story.

There was a thread here a few months ago you might want to search for on the subject of whether kilts were worn in the Civil War by troops on either side. As I recall the conclusion was that there were no kilted Confederate troops, and that the only kilted Union regiment never wore them into battle.

[macwilkin]

I am very interested in hearing about the source of that story.

There was a thread here a few months ago you might want to search for on the subject of whether kilts were worn in the Civil War by troops on either side. As I recall the conclusion was that there were no kilted Confederate troops, and that the only kilted Union regiment never wore them into battle.

Gilmore has summed it up quite nicely; at this time, there is no hard evidence of kilted units in the Civil War, save the 79th New York, and even then, most historians are doubtful that the 79th, which did wear kilts as a NY National Guard unit, actually wore them in the field. There are other "Scottish" units, such as the 12th Illinois, which did wear balmorals, but no other piece of Highland kit. Evidence for Southern militia units is even more scarce. And, since the adoption of Highland kit by Irish regiments in the British Army didn't happen until the late 19th century, it is fairly safe to say that were no kilts in the various Irish regiments; in fact, if anything, you were more likely to find Irishmen (and Scots) wearing another "foreign" uniform, that of the Zouave regiments, which was borrowed from the French army.

If such a document does prove the story true, it will certainly change the way that historians view Civil uniforms in regards to Highland kit.

Of course, that does not dimish the service of many Scottish immigrants who fought for both sides.

Regards,

Todd

[gilmore]

For those who feel they MUSt wear Yankee uniforms:

http://cgi.ebay.com/79th-New-York-Hi...QQcmdZViewItem

[LordKiltClad]

I grew up in Texas, but I hate to point out as so many do, that the North did 'win' in practical sense of the word. And if the "south will rise again" they are taking their sweet time doing it.

Saw this on a T-Shirt at a re-enactment.
"I'd rather be in Texas where we actually were an independent nation for awhile, then in the South who just thought they were for awhile."

I looked up the plate, and the ebay listing. I contacted the seller who is a re-enactor/historian of the 79th. I'm going to talk to him and see what light he can shed.

You guys have been a huge help. Thanks for pointing me in right direction.

[79thReproductions]

The 79th did not have complete federal gear in 1861. They were issued militia jackets and sky blue infantry trousers for the Bull Run Campaign in mid may but still had the highland gear for ceremonial purposes and wore them often in July of 1861.

After that little outing, they realized the war would not be 90 days, and wore their highland uniforms again. This included Trews, 79th doublets, state militia jackets ect. From 1861 - 63 it was a mix between highland and federal uniforms. As you get further into the war, the less highland things there were and more federal.

And about the kilts, There is one documented case of a 79th officer wearing it to Bull Run but the regiment historian, W. Todds "THE SEVENTY NINTH HIGHLANDERS N.Y. VOLS. 1861-1864" page 22.

He took it off after a pig chasing incident and...him diving over a fence. Soldiers in other units saw this and commented harshly...."The next morning the captain appeared the next morning in ordinary uniform."

The 79th wore most anything. Its amazing to see these guys in a frock coat, trews and kepi. A Sack coat and Trews! I love seeing original images of them in miss matched uniforms like that because....it shows that they were not as federal as some would insist.

And...if anyone wants to know about the 79th, dont believe most of the things on the internet....its a double edge sword. You can either ask me, or my good friend and Mr. Beard at

Truth79NY@aol.com

[macwilkin]

The 79th wore most anything. Its amazing to see these guys in a frock coat, trews and kepi. A Sack coat and Trews! I love seeing original images of them in miss matched uniforms like that because....it shows that they were not as federal as some would insist.

Both the Company of Military Historians and noted CW artist Don Troiani have reproduced the "field expedient" look of the 79th in pieces of art, Rachel -- have you seen them? If not, you need to.

But I should point out something here: the 79th were Federal Volunteers -- you seem to be implying that they weren't. Some of their uniforms were not standard federal issue (perhaps that's what you mean), but they were not alone in this -- the various Zouave regiments tended to keep their uniforms throughout the war and not adopted federal-issue kit.

Again, check out the CMH and Troiani's work on the 79th.

Cheers,

Todd

[79thReproductions]

I own the 409th print of 1050 prints made of Don's 79th painting Yes....

I have a copy of the Company of Military Historians print and I do not like it too much. There are so many things wrong with their dipiction of the various uniforms.

The 79th was started years before the war in 1858, They were accepted into federal service in may of 61. They even elected their officers until Stevens. The Caledonian club of New York supported the 79th. They provided some uniforms, flags, and there were many members in both the Highland Guard and the Cal. Club.

Rachel

[macwilkin]

I own the 409th print of 1050 prints made of Don's 79th painting Yes....

I have a copy of the Company of Military Historians print and I do not like it too much. There are so many things wrong with their dipiction of the various uniforms.

The 79th was started years before the war in 1858, They were accepted into federal service in may of 61. They even elected their officers until Stevens. The Caledonian club of New York supported the 79th. They provided some uniforms, flags, and there were many members in both the Highland Guard and the Cal. Club.

Rachel

Rachel,

That surprises me greatly, as the CMH is well-respected organization in historic circles, including the NPS. What specifically is wrong, and do you have sources to back that up? Not trying to be contrary, but perhaps you would be willing to write an article for the CMH to set the record straight? It would be good to have some updated information on the 79th's uniforms with appropriate documentation.

And yes, I am very much aware of the pre-war history of the 79th. If you read the accompanying text to the plate, there is even discussion of the opposition to the 79th's choice of uniforms because they were "foreign" uniforms.

T.