Post American Civil War Kilted Regiments Uniform?

[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.

[Skweres]

now thats some cool information that i wouldnt mind buy a book on, or researching on wikipedia for a couple days

[79thReproductions]

My sources are original uniforms. I don't trust art of the 79th too much no matter how respected. I have studied original jackets, glengarries, a sporran, kilt....ect.



Some spacific things they got wrong:

The dicing on the glengarry, though these are pictures of a post war glengarries, it is the same exact shape and design:





The jacket does not have a belt loop on the left hip, no red piping on the edges of the jacket, no skirts or "Vents" at the bottom of the jacket, the cuffs and collar are wrong, there is no pocket watch pocket on the right belly/chest, the Epaulet adapters were not made of material but brass, the chevrons were indeed blue but they were "Arched"



The Epaulet they show seem to be post war. The pre-war ones were normal enlisted shoulder scales with gold fringe for NCOs and red fringe for Pvts

I know its hard to do tartan, but it can be done. Its a large 9" sett. The back of the kilt was to the set, not to the strip.

The 1850 militia sword is right on, the sporran is perfect, the sash, belt, cartridge box and cap pouch, bayonet scabbard....they are all done well.

Flashes are great, but the hose have a red top, they had white turn overs. Shoes are good too

Rachel

[elitekiltedcommando]

Fascinating.

[MACKAY]

Saw these on eBay this evening and they seemed relevant to this thread so I thought I would pass on:

Reproduction 79th Uniform with Kilt

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

Harpers Weekly: The 79th Regiment (Highlanders) NY State Militia..May 25th 1861

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harpers-Winslow-...QQcmdZViewItem

[macwilkin]

My sources are original uniforms. I don't trust art of the 79th too much no matter how respected. I have studied original jackets, glengarries, a sporran, kilt....ect.



Some spacific things they got wrong:

The dicing on the glengarry, though these are pictures of a post war glengarries, it is the same exact shape and design:




The jacket does not have a belt loop on the left hip, no red piping on the edges of the jacket, no skirts or "Vents" at the bottom of the jacket, the cuffs and collar are wrong, there is no pocket watch pocket on the right belly/chest, the Epaulet adapters were not made of material but brass, the chevrons were indeed blue but they were "Arched"


The Epaulet they show seem to be post war. The pre-war ones were normal enlisted shoulder scales with gold fringe for NCOs and red fringe for Pvts

I know its hard to do tartan, but it can be done. Its a large 9" sett. The back of the kilt was to the set, not to the strip.

The 1850 militia sword is right on, the sporran is perfect, the sash, belt, cartridge box and cap pouch, bayonet scabbard....they are all done well.

Flashes are great, but the hose have a red top, they had white turn overs. Shoes are good too

Rachel

Rachel,

Where did you study the original uniforms, if I might ask? How were you able to -- internship, grant, etc.? Again, you've made some very interesting posts, but I'm a details man -- I think this would make a great article & you need to write this up and publish this information and share it with the Civil War community. Who knows, maybe even join CMH and share your knowledge?

I'll have to look again at the CMH plate on who the author was -- John Severin was the artist, and Severin did many plates for CMH. I'll check tomorrow evening at our Sons of Union Veterans meeting, since the Wilson's Creek library owns a copy of "Long Endure" -- Vol. II of the CMH plate series.

So please -- tell us more.

T.

[79thReproductions]

I studied them second hand through a good friend of mine William Beard. He is working on getting me an education grant to fly me east and study the original artifacts in person. I make the best reproduction 79th uniforms right now and to get better, I need to see them in person. I am not in the position to publish anything. I am working with William to recreate the uniforms, and thats my main goal. Besides that I want to educate people about the 79th. He is working on publishing all the information in a rather large book that is going to be THE BOOK about anything 79th New York.

I also draw and paint. I'm working on my own art of the 79th..some based on real life scenarios, and some not (A company of 79th soldiers in dress uniforms kilts and all charging in battle.)

Ill talk to William about doing an article or something. He has taken me under his wing in terms of research so.....we will see

Rachel