Post American Civil War Kilted Regiments Uniform?

**macwilkin** · 24th February 07, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

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

**LordKiltClad** · 24th February 07, 04:47 PM

A couple of links the 2 guys sent me where they base some of their information from. Not sure of the validity of what they told me now.

http://www.newworldcelts.org/american.htm

http://www.geocities.com/firstvirginia

Information on the 79th from the Scottish American Military Society
Formed in 1859 as a volunteer regiment in New York from a corp cadre of ex-British Cameron Soldiers. Enlisted mainly Scots and Scottish-Americans and modeled after the Cameron Highlanders of the British Army. They wore the Cameron tartan kilt and Highland pattern jacket in dark blue with red trim and Glengarry bonnet. Mustered into Federal service for the American Civil War in 1861. By mid-war, uniform conformed to Union regulation. Embodied for the entire length of the War. Enlisted 795 men and took over 558 casualties. Initial 6 companies mainly Scots and then with expansion to 1000 men, Irish. Known to be very "clanish" and not friendly to American Scots and other "Americans" who joined. By mid-war, the Irish outnumbered the Scots. The Unit went back to kilts and the highland variation on the standard issue blue army coat after the war as formal dress and subsequent reenlistment into military units that moved west. This main unit disbanded in 1876, as members were moved to other units to protect the frontier.

Still locating the other sources the guys came up with. The information your giving me is quite helpful.

**LordKiltClad** · 24th February 07, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Here is the web site for the NY State Military Museum:

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/mil-hist.htm

Cheers,

Todd

Todd, Thanks for this. Lots of great information. Funny to know the head officer was Colonel McKenzie. (I'm a McKenzie as well).

**Iain dubh** · 26th February 07, 10:21 AM

Never mind... for some reason I didn't see the other replies....
Aye,
Iain

**79thReproductions** · 26th February 07, 07:24 PM

Ok. Heres a few pictures of soldiers in the 56th New York. They had NO highland gear whatsoever. For fun, I even am doing members from each company, just so nothing slips through.

Company A

Company B

Company C

Company D

Company E

Company F

Company G

Company H

Company I

Company K

Nothing. Only the regulation sack coats, shells, and frocks. The pants are also federal blue trousers.

I REALLY REALLY doubt that your sources are good ones. Remember, not everything can be trusted.

-Rachel

**LordKiltClad** · 27th February 07, 06:14 PM

Rachel, Thanks for the pictures.

My benefit of the doubt to the guys I'm helping comes from the NY Military Museum that stated the 79th was in full regulation union uniform by 1863. It was formed in 1861. So what were they wearing from 1861-1863?

Also a little of an update, the guys that are wanting to recreate a uniform are going for ceremonial use. That's gonna take more research. *sigh*.

**Woodsheal** · 27th February 07, 06:24 PM

It's always been my understanding that the 79th went to regulation uniform in `61, not long after reaching the Washington, DC, camps and being mustered into Federal service, and that kilts were NEVER worn in battle or in the field thereafter (though a few officers might have worn tartan trews early on). They may have worn the short NY jacket instead of the regulation Federal coat. (About half of all NY volunteer infantry regiments were issued the distinctive jacket.)

I think there's alot of wishful thinking on the part of folks trying to find evidence of kilt-wearing on Civil War battlefields. It just didn't happen...!

**macwilkin** · 27th February 07, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by LordKiltClad

Rachel, Thanks for the pictures.

My benefit of the doubt to the guys I'm helping comes from the NY Military Museum that stated the 79th was in full regulation union uniform by 1863. It was formed in 1861. So what were they wearing from 1861-1863?

Also a little of an update, the guys that are wanting to recreate a uniform are going for ceremonial use. That's gonna take more research. *sigh*.

Take a look at Don Troiani's recreation of the 79th's uniform; I think it's pretty spot on -- he depicts the 79th in Cameron trews.

The research is there -- the plate in the Company of Military Historians contains much of the details from the pre-war uniform, and the CMH is reliable in terms of information.

I think Rachel and Brian have hit the nail on the head; much of what we here of kilts in the Civil War is just plain wishful thinking.

T.

**gilmore** · 4th March 07, 10:22 PM

For those who feel they MUSt wear Yankee uniforms:

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

**LordKiltClad** · 5th March 07, 01:11 AM

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.