Post American Civil War Kilted Regiments Uniform?

[Woodsheal]

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]

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.

[Skweres]

now thats some cool information that i wouldnt mind buy a book on, or researching on wikipedia for a couple days

[79thReproductions]

My sources are original uniforms. I don't trust art of the 79th too much no matter how respected. I have studied original jackets, glengarries, a sporran, kilt....ect.



Some spacific things they got wrong:

The dicing on the glengarry, though these are pictures of a post war glengarries, it is the same exact shape and design:





The jacket does not have a belt loop on the left hip, no red piping on the edges of the jacket, no skirts or "Vents" at the bottom of the jacket, the cuffs and collar are wrong, there is no pocket watch pocket on the right belly/chest, the Epaulet adapters were not made of material but brass, the chevrons were indeed blue but they were "Arched"



The Epaulet they show seem to be post war. The pre-war ones were normal enlisted shoulder scales with gold fringe for NCOs and red fringe for Pvts

I know its hard to do tartan, but it can be done. Its a large 9" sett. The back of the kilt was to the set, not to the strip.

The 1850 militia sword is right on, the sporran is perfect, the sash, belt, cartridge box and cap pouch, bayonet scabbard....they are all done well.

Flashes are great, but the hose have a red top, they had white turn overs. Shoes are good too

Rachel

[MACKAY]

Saw these on eBay this evening and they seemed relevant to this thread so I thought I would pass on:

Reproduction 79th Uniform with Kilt

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

Harpers Weekly: The 79th Regiment (Highlanders) NY State Militia..May 25th 1861

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harpers-Winslow-...QQcmdZViewItem

[macwilkin]

My sources are original uniforms. I don't trust art of the 79th too much no matter how respected. I have studied original jackets, glengarries, a sporran, kilt....ect.



Some spacific things they got wrong:

The dicing on the glengarry, though these are pictures of a post war glengarries, it is the same exact shape and design:




The jacket does not have a belt loop on the left hip, no red piping on the edges of the jacket, no skirts or "Vents" at the bottom of the jacket, the cuffs and collar are wrong, there is no pocket watch pocket on the right belly/chest, the Epaulet adapters were not made of material but brass, the chevrons were indeed blue but they were "Arched"


The Epaulet they show seem to be post war. The pre-war ones were normal enlisted shoulder scales with gold fringe for NCOs and red fringe for Pvts

I know its hard to do tartan, but it can be done. Its a large 9" sett. The back of the kilt was to the set, not to the strip.

The 1850 militia sword is right on, the sporran is perfect, the sash, belt, cartridge box and cap pouch, bayonet scabbard....they are all done well.

Flashes are great, but the hose have a red top, they had white turn overs. Shoes are good too

Rachel

Rachel,

Where did you study the original uniforms, if I might ask? How were you able to -- internship, grant, etc.? Again, you've made some very interesting posts, but I'm a details man -- I think this would make a great article & you need to write this up and publish this information and share it with the Civil War community. Who knows, maybe even join CMH and share your knowledge?

I'll have to look again at the CMH plate on who the author was -- John Severin was the artist, and Severin did many plates for CMH. I'll check tomorrow evening at our Sons of Union Veterans meeting, since the Wilson's Creek library owns a copy of "Long Endure" -- Vol. II of the CMH plate series.

So please -- tell us more.

T.

[79thReproductions]

I studied them second hand through a good friend of mine William Beard. He is working on getting me an education grant to fly me east and study the original artifacts in person. I make the best reproduction 79th uniforms right now and to get better, I need to see them in person. I am not in the position to publish anything. I am working with William to recreate the uniforms, and thats my main goal. Besides that I want to educate people about the 79th. He is working on publishing all the information in a rather large book that is going to be THE BOOK about anything 79th New York.

I also draw and paint. I'm working on my own art of the 79th..some based on real life scenarios, and some not (A company of 79th soldiers in dress uniforms kilts and all charging in battle.)

Ill talk to William about doing an article or something. He has taken me under his wing in terms of research so.....we will see

Rachel

[elitekiltedcommando]

Fascinating.

[JayFilomena]

I have not read the other posts, and you may have already received your answers, but there is a book called: "Blue Bonnets o'er the border" about the 179th Highlanders in NY. It was written by my room mate in Baghdad, Mark McKnight. I found my copy on EBay.

[JayFilomena]

As you were; The 79th New York Cameron Highlanders, and the author goes by William Mark McKnight. He uses many illustrations, blurry photos and historical references to give an accurate idea of the uniforms of the time.