I'll have to re-sort my references, but from what I've read, even late in the war, officers did wear their kilts and/or tartan trews in the field (Secessionville, Spotsylvania and Appamattox (sp))

After just re-reading William Todd's book (a Company 79th Highlander himself) he confirms that the fatigue uniform for the early volunteers and conscripts was indeed the Cameron trews.

This still contradicts what some of these 79th reenactors accept as their 'official uniform'.

Seems odd to me.
This bring up a good point. What is a good source? I don't think this is just a 79th issue (Though it plagues the 79th community) Its a life issue.

Remember that books are written by human beings and the internet is still, and will always be, the internet.

My friends and I keep bad information of the 79th along with the good to show how the understanding has progressed since the 1960s.

There are a few kinds of bad sources.

Bad images: created by modern people that have an idea of what things looked like (Or based off of previous work that was incorrect or re-enacters)




Bad written text: Embellished, made up, or just plain wrong things about the 79th.

WARNING: INCORRECT INFORMATION ;)
"Many where veterans who had seen service in the Crimean War, only to return home to Scotland and fine nothing left after the clearances. Of course, their Highland spirit made them excellent soldiers. In fact, so greatly were they esteemed that General Sherman specifically requested the regiment be attached to his command."

Personal interpretation of primary material for an agenda: People will see what they want to see and often come to their own conclusions.

Primary sources say that kilts Officers paid for their own uniforms. It could be assumed that the 79th officers bought kilts and trews when the pictures show them federalized before most of the regiment.

Just plain making things up: Exactly how it sounds.

Other things to think about.....
Being misinformed, not doing research, some sort of power complex ("Im right! You are wrong!") that does not leave room for personal growth in understanding new information that contradicts an already held belief.

Oh! My favorite. Keyboard Campaigners! I must say, I love them with a passion. And when I say love, I mean I am frustrated. Its easy to do what I seem to do. Blaze away on forums with fancy words and numbers.
Get out and get hands on history. Examine relics and read original journals!

Here are some super awesome pictures of 79th relics btw! I have been meaning to post them Some are Scottish...some are not. Yes yes. Thats me It was an exciting trip. Even made it up Matthew Newsomes way in NC.

This is an original glengarry that belonged to Francis Judge, the 79th MoH recipient for his actions at Ft Sanders in November of 1863! Its in a private collection.



Original print of the Harpers Weekly May 25th, 1861 paper


Now this is interesting. Its a pass to a dance held by the 79th (More specifically the NY Cal. club I think.) Its post war, 1866 and a ladies ticket.




Post war, 1872 79th Highlanders breast plate, also pictured are some "NY" and thistle insignia and a better view of Lang


If anyone wants to see all of the trip pictures just ask I have pictures of sites the 79th were at...their winter quarters, pictures of more relics and neat things. ith: