Uniform Question

[macwilkin]

Ok let me start by saying, if this is not in the right place feel free to move it.

I do War Between the States reenacting. I have looked fo several months now to find any info on Scottish units that I could find. I would much like to find any info on Confederate Scottish units that I can get my hands on(I.E. unit name, uniform worn, State from, ETC.). Any help with this question would be helpful. The unit I am in protrays the 2nd SCVI CO. B "The Butler Guards", and the 28th PA. VI. If there is anyone that has kin in these units with Scottish heritage please let me know. I need all the help I can get.


Respectfuly Requested,
Brett Nix

Brett,

There is very little concrete evidence (though plenty of hearsay) of any Southern militia units wearing Highland Dress during the War of the Rebellion.* I have seen reference to some militia units bearing the name "Highlanders", "Scotch Guards", though, but no one has, to my knowledge, yet to turn up a "smoking gun" about any units, save the 79th New York and the 12th Illinois (balmorals only), that wore Highland kit as part of their uniforms. I would love to be proved wrong, though.

Of course, individual Scots served in many regiments, north and south. One Scot, William Watson, served as a Sergeant in the 3rd Louisiana Infantry. His account of service, "Life in the Confederate Army", is still available today.

The Scottish Military Historical Society does have a brief article about "Scottish" units in the Civil War, but nothing too detailed in terms of uniforms.

One thing to remember: open displays of ethnicity in the 19th century were not as common as it is today. When I was reenacting, I frequently saw other reenactors wearing Irish harp badges, yet openly displaying your immigrant background among "native" Americans in the 19th century was a good way to get a beating! Of course, ethnic displays were much more common (and safer!) in "ethnic" regiments, like the many Irish & German units you found in the war.

*Sorry, couldn't resist using the Northern name for the Civil War.

T.