Great kilts in the American colonies

[Jock Scot]

Oh I am sure lots of the loyalists survived, after all they did outnumber the Jacobites almost six to one. Well trained, with artillary and a better position. Charles should have listened to Murray much earlier.

Dall, perhaps I am wrong here, but I think that you are short changing the Jacobites, they damn nearly won the war and the Crown, it was only the defeat at Culloden that finished BPC. As to artillery, the first casualty of the battle of Culloden was a British soldier killed by a Jacobite cannon ball, also, the Jacobites were not universally liked in the highlands and many highlanders(dare I say most?) were delighted that BPC was defeated.It is no good harping on about how the Jacobites were out numbered, out trained, out gunned, out General-ed and out fought----- it is a war we are talking about and not a game of monopoly!

Back on topic. A most enlightening historical thread on early American colonial history. Thank you.

[Brasilikilt]

Hi Iain--
Judging by the photo, it would appear that these colonial period reenactors have put a lot of time (and money!) into creating the look of post-1750 colonial America.

Ummmm, I didn't exactly find my kit while scrounging through a dumpster

Anyways, I'm very pleased with what this thread has become, even if I didn't get the answer I would have liked.
This is one of those valuable discussions that makes a guy like me a better reenactor, and it has helped me realize that it is your persona that should fit into history, not the other way around.

I'd like to write more now, but I gotta run to work

thanks again

Iain

[Dall_Piobaire]

I didn't mean to hijack, or take this in a direction it wasn't meant to go! Sometimes my fingers out type my brain.

My apologies, I will just sit quietly hear listen and learn

[davedove]

... it is your persona that should fit into history, not the other way around...

Right, you should try to wear what the typical person would wear in the situation. You could almost always find an exception to the general mode of dress, but that's not what recreationists are all about.

The only exception would be if you were taking the role of a historical individual, in which case you would dress as he/she would.

[Brasilikilt]

I didn't mean to hijack, or take this in a direction it wasn't meant to go! Sometimes my fingers out type my brain.

My apologies, I will just sit quietly hear listen and learn

No apologies needed

In my opinion, some of the best threads end up talking about something entirely different than what the initial post was asking.
Sometimes we end up learning a lot more when these things take on a life of their own.
I'm more than happy to plant a seed that has grown into what has become a very interesting and informative discussion.

[BoldHighlander]

Just to add briefly, one other battle that gets lost in the mix was the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (Febuary 27, 1776 at Willmington, North Carolina).

This pitted the local rebel faction against the Highlanders of Cross Creek & other loyalists. Some of the Highlanders were carrying traditional weapons, including broadswords. I've also read some accounts (including the NPS) that have some of the Highlanders wearing tartan (kilts etc) & charging into battle to the sound of the bagpipes.

Interesting points:

Those Highlanders who pledged service to the Crown, the British government promised 200 acres of land, cancellation of land fees, and tax exemption for 20 years.

Major Donald McLeod (one of the leaders of the Highlanders) gave the battle cry "King George and Broadswords!" to rally his men when stalled at the bridge (they subsequently lost the battle). McLeod went on to help form the 84th RoF Royal Highland Emigrants.

Flora MacDonald (yes, that Flora MacDonald, of '45 fame) helped raise the Highlanders of Cross Creek for service. Her husband was one of the officers involved.

The Moore's Creek NPS site
look for a small photo of the diorama that shows Highlanders in kilts & bonnets...

Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History - By Michael A. Capps and Steven A. Davis
Includes an artist rendering of the failed assault upon the bridge, note some of the Highlanders are depicted in full Highland dress...

Additional links:
http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/760227.htm

http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/nc/ncsites/moores.htm

http://www.patriotresource.com/battles/moores.html