79th New York Highlanders Reg.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Todd, I'm not sure what we disagree about. Surely not historical accuracy-- KR's original post was all about being as accurate as possible in recreating the kilted uniform of the 79th-- possibly PiobBear should re-read the last sentence-- and in that regard I think KR was given some pretty good advice.

It seems to me that things got heated when re-enactors started arguing over the "right period"-- which according to PiobBear covers the whole of the Civil War, 1861-65. Well, in my opinion, "living history re-enactors" can at best provide a single snapshot of a very specific point in time. If it was KRs intention to portray the 79th NY in November of 1864 then PiobBear's description of a Union soldier is pretty much right on the mark. But, at least this is what I infer from KRs original post, it is his intent to recreate the 79th as it probably looked in April, 1861-- hence his questions regarding kilts, etc.

What I was calling attention to was the "I'm Right, dammit!" attitude on all sides that seemed to lead to hurled invectives and inane comments about ball gowns.

Those comments I found neither informative nor entertaining. Certainly, at least in my opinion, they did nothing to shed light on the question of the uniforms of the 79th during the period in question, ie: 1861.

Now, I have read your penultimate post on this subject, and I am in total agreement with all you've said, especially your last line with it's caveat. So, like I said, I don't see anything for us to disagree about.

Regards,

Scott

[kiltimabar]

While I agree that in basic Civil War education there is utility in portraying an average, typical soldier, I think there is a lot to be gained in demonstrating that there were many departures from the average, and that this diversity was an important factor in affecting the war and its aftermath. The "average" soldier was not female, black, southern-born, West Point educated, a Zouave, or foreign-born, but there were some, even many, in all these and other categories and they all had their duties to perform.

I find it interesting to see the changes as the war went from a gay crusade in militia parade uniforms at the beginning to the mass-produced standardizations seen in the later stages, when the combat got down to the grim business of crushing the Confederacy. Let some portray the "average", others have a different story to tell.

And remember, "If it ain't fun, then you ain't doin' it right."

[79thReproductions]

Here are some interesting receipts from the spring of 61 when the 79th was preparing to move on Washington city. ith:



This is a receipt for 67 gray flannel shirts made by Lewis Einstein & Co. They paid $653.25 for them. Its made out to "79th Regt N.Y.S. Mil. Lt. Col Elliott" May 27th 1861

Here is another record of the sale:




This one has always interested me. Its Im crossing my fingers that someone might know a bit about "H. Schulting" ith:

Its a receipt for what seems to be the last know tartan purchase. I love their use of "Scotch Plaid"


1,573.5 yards were purchased at $1 per yard! They returned 280 yards leaving them with the cost of $1,293.50. May 24th, 1861

[Kilted Rogue]

Sorry for my time away work has been a bit crazy. It seams i have opened the " can of worms" here.

Lets set a small detail straight.

1)I do want the Kilted Uniform
2)I understand it may or may not have been worn in battle
3)I am ok with that
4)i am showing the different uniforms from the European Units and specialty units who fought in the American Civil War
5)Also in review will be the Zouave, Berdan's Sharpshooters, 79th NYVI Cameron's Highlanders

Now we know what i am after i hope that settles that matter.

Rachel your work is Fantastic thank you for posting pictures.

[macwilkin]

Sorry for my time away work has been a bit crazy. It seams i have opened the " can of worms" here.

Lets set a small detail straight.

1)I do want the Kilted Uniform
2)I understand it may or may not have been worn in battle
3)I am ok with that
4)i am showing the different uniforms from the European Units and specialty units who fought in the American Civil War
5)Also in review will be the Zouave, Berdan's Sharpshooters, 79th NYVI Cameron's Highlanders

Now we know what i am after i hope that settles that matter.

Rachel your work is Fantastic thank you for posting pictures.

So then is the focus of your program to show the variations in militia uniforms during the Civil War?

Todd

[Kilted Rogue]

So then is the focus of your program to show the variations in militia uniforms during the Civil War?

Todd

yes who they were , what they wore, and where they fought.

this weekend i am participating in the program, but it will be on different subject matter, different units during the war.

i will have a better understanding of what will come for next year.

[macneighill]

If you've never participated in a living history event, you'll have a blast. As for your impression, just do it.

As for my impression (Assistant Surgeon), I've had quite a bit of difficulty participating in "certain" events. Some in the realm of reenacting feel that specialty impressions do not belong at events. Well, I have a difficult time trying to understand that, considering that "we're" trying to educate others on the American Civil War. And, how can we do that if, we're only focusing on one aspect of the War (i.e. an Infantryman). We need to also show them the artillery, cavalry, medical corps, Provost, spies/scouts, Adjutant, Quartermaster, etc. (I could go on and on . . but, will save everyone the torture :mrgreen. I mainly focus on living history or static displays . . and give talks about period battlefield medicine and show period medical instruments.

Just hang with your Father. He's been a reenactor long enough to know what he's doing. And, Rachel is a great resource of info about the 79th NY .

[79thReproductions]

Yay for living history! Im sure you will enjoy yourself. Its how I got sucked into things. Believe it or not, before re-enacting and Scottish culture, my first love was the Titanic! All 882.5 ft of it! ;)

Thank you Jimmy! In a perfect world I Would major in history. Maybe I will someday! I have my whole life to figure it out. Im in massage school right now....I have my sights set on surgical technologist though. Who knows.....Someday I might finish my book about the 79th, finish the book about my life in high school. Im 19 with a good start on life. ith:

Anyone up for pictures of original 79th soldiers?

So far this is the most 79th soldiers I have seen with all their jackets on. So many doublets! I have a feeling the soldier on the far right is a 79ther too.

79th prisoners at Castle Pinckney captured at First Bull Run.
http://i33.tinypic.com/4io5f9.jpg/

They are wearing:
79th New York jacket as discussed in previous posts.

Surplus Dark blue infantry trousers issues in July before the Bull Run campaign. Referred to as "light blue" trousers because of the color difference between french blue and navy blue as used on their jackets.

McClellen Kepis ("79" can be seen on the middle man's hat that is on his knee)

m39 Belt (Soldier with the awkward pose)

Another Castle Pinckney!



This dashing young man is a good example of "The look"


-pre/early war 79th jacket
-Military set Cameron of Erracht modern tartan
-McClellan Kepi with insignia (the 79th was gilted in reverse as the original image was reversed. Set back to be seen correctly, the gilted 79 is now backwards)
-narrow 1 1/2" wide m1839 belt. (Buckle has been colored over )
-Shield pattern Cap pouch
-colored ! The cording of the jacket is easy to see with the tint. The ring around the cuff, the pocket watch pocket, edge trim, cuff and collar. Even the tartan is a little green :]

Thats my shameless 79th history plug for today. Sorry for the late response, I have been out of town for a funeral.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

This dashing young man is a good example of "The look"


-pre/early war 79th jacket
-Military set Cameron of Erracht modern tartan
-McClellan Kepi with insignia (the 79th was gilted in reverse as the original image was reversed. Set back to be seen correctly, the gilted 79 is now backwards)
-narrow 1 1/2" wide m1839 belt. (Buckle has been colored over )
-Shield pattern Cap pouch
-colored ! The cording of the jacket is easy to see with the tint. The ring around the cuff, the pocket watch pocket, edge trim, cuff and collar. Even the tartan is a little green :]

Thats my shameless 79th history plug for today. Sorry for the late response, I have been out of town for a funeral.

So why is the small "7" on the kepi facing the right way, and why does the soldier's jacket button to the right? Is it possible, given the anomalies seen that the "reversed 79" is actually something else? Perhaps a "P F"?

Just curious....

[79thReproductions]

So why is the small "7" on the kepi facing the right way, and why does the soldier's jacket button to the right? Is it possible, given the anomalies seen that the "reversed 79" is actually something else? Perhaps a "P F"?

Just curious....

The 7 on the kepi above the 79 is facing the right way because its being viewed as if we are looking at the soldier as hes getting his image taken.

Here is the image as it appears without being altered:



The original 79 insignia on the kepi was painted over (As it would be backwards) so it can be read. The "7" was not painted over maybe because it would have been too sloppy. The 7 is a company number. Using numbers instead of letters was common and even used in the military manuals of that era.

The buttons of the jackets are on the right breast panel, and the button holes are on the left breast panel.

Here is an original pre/war time 79th jacket:

(Photo taken at the Gettysburg Museum by Aaron Clark. aclark79@yahoo.com)






Here is another picture taken in the same manor as the private.



This is an interesting photograph. The person coloring over things seems to have taken quite a bit of liberty. The sash and epaulettes were painted on completely as he is not wearing any. The color of the chevrons is wrong as the 79th were light blue for Infantry.
The collar was painted over without attention to it but the detail can still be seen. The trim of the jacket and piping of the cuffs have been left alone. The kepis insignia seems to be a "4" and "79"

He is wearing federal dark blue pants. The uniform hes wear without the gilt is the Bull Run campaign uniform. 79th Jacket, Dark blue pants, McClellen Kepi, m39 belt. Sometimes the coloring of an image is great, but this one breaks my heart.