79th NY Highlanders

[Riverkilt]

I think the reenactor mentioned is a lady from Portland Oregon that sews up replica uniforms. Can't think of her handle though.

Ron

[Piper]

My piping instructor was a member of an NSSA unit based on the 79th. They did have kilts, but generally wore the conventional field dress in competition. He, or another piper, frequently played (kilted) during the match. Then again, the NSSA is not strictly a reenactment group.

[79thReproductions]

Yup! You are correct sir. (Riverkilt)

Im stepping on my soap box.

I understand your frustration hospitaller, so Ill take you through some of those things as best I can to give you a better understanding of their explanations. Hopefully we cant talk through this until we find a conclusion based on the history and those pesky little things that get in the way that I like to call facts. Fair enough? Righ-oh.

The back story: The Highland Guard was created in the fall of 1859 by wealthy men that had a common dream of a social group based around a Scottish identity. Like other Militia organizations in New York City, they held drills, preformed various ceremonial duties, and trained as Heavy Artillery. (Hence the red trim on the uniforms)

Contrary to Popular beliefs, their issued "Original" uniform was not the kilt, sporran hose and all of that. It was tartan trousers. They were a compromise made with New York. No Kilts = Less issues centered around ethnic identity. Trews = Ethnic expression without being so darn ethnic.

In 1860 the members of the Highland Guard privately and without permission bought their own kilts, hose, flashes, sporrans, ect ect. They were quite expensive.

This brings us to the war. Shortly after the attack on Ft. Sumter, the 79th held a meeting where they all cast their vote to answer Lincolns call. Unfortunately, they did not have the numbers need and were rejected till their strength was raised. So where is this going? Uniforms my friend.

The uniforms for the soldiers that joined the regiment during the recruiting binge were not second hand garments. They were not supplied by relief organizations. With the work done by men like Elliot and Cameron, and the NY Cal. Club, the NY State Militia, they had enough resources to get things together.

The uniforms themselves were made by Brooks brothers with the jacket costing $7.75 and Trews costing $1.75. The average pay of a Pvt. was $13 a month. Do the math. The tartan, being $1 per yard being ordered at over 1,000 yards at a time.

I often compare it to our time. Would our boys wear Armani suits on patrols in Iraq? Of course not. The uniforms worn before the war, and early in the war were not a fighting mans uniform. Flashy, very beautiful, and almost dainty (from the Originals I have seen) they are not meant for the fighting the 79th saw as early as the winter of 61, and early 62.

The hard facts support these common sense ideas. Pictures of Highlanders as early as 1862, along with many written accounts, show (or describe) the complete lack of ethnic uniforms in the unit. The uniforms that replaced them were regulation uniforms that were seen in the 79th as early as July of 1861.

Skipping the majority of their service for the sake of talking about modern groups that portray the 79th, here we are. How do we take all of this jumbled information and create a true to life impression of those men? (And wome[a]n?)

Most of the 79th groups around do things not according to history, but according the this fantastic Scottish soldier fantasy. There are some however, the ones Im assuming you spoke with, that hold themselves to the reality of things. There is a time and place for bagpipes and kilts. Unfortunately its not during the war. I understand how this can seem in some way dishonoring their identity as a regiment, but I promise its not. Its only portraying them as they were. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Fact: The 79th never had full time Pipers. Rather, they had NY Cal. Club pipers play for their parades. They cannot be traced beyond New York. Robertson's band can. No bagpipes.

Fact: The 79th did not retain their fancy ethnic uniforms for long. Its a war with a big W. Not a parade ground. They wore issued uniforms, issued gear. Regulation uniforms

Fact: They were not super Scottish gods. They were men that froze, went hungry, thirsty, marched for hours and marched some more, they bleed and died far from home. They thought of life, not plaid pants, They thought of loved ones and home, not bagpipes.
NO ONE should make things up. No one should lie about their achievements, or embellish the clothing they wore.

If I sound redundant, I am trying to be. It needs to be said.

I'll end my little novel though with this:

And this 'civil war reenactors' simply choose to ignore that important detail and rather focus on wearing what modern society sees as 'appropriate' civil war attire...regular 'federal pants'

Modern Society is ignorant of the American Civil war all together. Im going to blow some minds here and maybe offend a few.

At the end of the day, the kilts dont matter. Nither do the bagpipes, tartan trousers and glengarries. The important detail to all of this....are the people wearing those things. I think that is what is missing from this post, and most posts. Maybe its my fault, I talk of the uniforms too much. Who knows.

Keep in mind that the 79th was just a group of people and it will become easier and easier to understand why re-enacting groups do things the ways they do.


I colorized this picture. Sgt. from Company I



Just a human being. Sad looking man isnt he? Not concerned with kilts.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Absolutely the best (and most reasoned) post on this thread. Well done, Rachel!

Perhaps if we had a kilted reenactors forum we could all learn a lot more about the historical (as opposed to what might be characterized as traditional) wearing of the kilt.

[KFCarter]

Absolutely the best (and most reasoned) post on this thread. Well done, Rachel!

Perhaps if we had a kilted reenactors forum we could all learn a lot more about the historical (as opposed to what might be characterized as traditional) wearing of the kilt.

Agreed.

Sometimes a little friction creates heat... sometimes heat and light. I've learned quite a bit on this thread.

[Riverkilt]

Great info! Glad you laid it out like that. Makes perfect sense.

Ron

[macwilkin]

Absolutely the best (and most reasoned) post on this thread. Well done, Rachel!

Perhaps if we had a kilted reenactors forum we could all learn a lot more about the historical (as opposed to what might be characterized as traditional) wearing of the kilt.

Indeed; spot on Rachel! You've summed up the philosophy behind NPS living history standards better than most can.

At the end of the day, the kilts dont matter. Nither do the bagpipes, tartan trousers and glengarries. The important detail to all of this....are the people wearing those things. I think that is what is missing from this post, and most posts. Maybe its my fault, I talk of the uniforms too much. Who knows.

Keep in mind that the 79th was just a group of people and it will become easier and easier to understand why re-enacting groups do things the ways they do.

Rachel, there is no need to apologize or blame yourself. Quite frankly, it is refreshing to see a reenactor committed to doing the research and getting right. Perhaps I'm a bit jaded, but this attitude is few and far between in the American Civil War reenacting community. When people ask me why there are WWI/WWII/Span-Am/etc. reenactors, I simply say: "Because ACW reenacting became just another hobby." There is a great deal of truth in that.

Regards,

Todd

[Colonel MacNeal]

I was referring to the refusal of these reenactor units to acknowledge the tartan history altogether.

[hospitaller]

Thank you ma'am

[79thReproductions]

No worries hospitaller! Thank you all for your kind words. I really enjoy sharing things about the 79th and I usually watch this site for any chance to talk about them.

I hope I didn't come off as rude or harsh. I wish these conversations could happen in person for the tone of voice.

Colonel MacNeal, I have not heard of a group that do the 79th that refuses to acknowledge the tartan history altogether, but I have heard of and met groups that tone it down. Its a knee jerk reaction to the hyper Scottish 79th groups I think, but thats my own opinion.

One thing that plays into not only re-enacting the 79th, but all specialized units or ethnic units is just pure interest from people in the hobby/those interested in joining the hobby.

Its hard to do a federal infantryman right. Its darn near impossible to do a 79th soldier right. People are just not interested these days in doing the 79th right, and often get frustrated when they dont look like the original guys and cant get the toys to play with. The jackets, hats, kilts, ect ect.

There is hope though. The East Tennessee Group is the shining beacon in all of the mess.

This picture was taking in the mid 90s when I was 4 (Dating myself)


Like I have said. There is a time and a place! That picture was at Highland Games. No time period, so no uniform restrictions. They could explore that early uniform worn before the war.