Confederate Memorial

**Riverkilt** · 10th June 10, 07:35 PM

Just in the interest of "A House Divided" there is also a Union kilt to commemorate the boys in blue like my great great grandfathers who took on John Hunt Morgan during his ride through Ohio, and Jubal Early's raid on Washington D.C. and fought in the Tennessee campaigns.

My middle name is Grant after my father who got it after his great uncle who was the first born son after great great grandfather got home from the war. Yet I was born in Alabama. So have perspective on both sides of these sad times and have lived over ten years of my adult life in the South.

I've had an intense interest in the conflict since boyhood. Today, as an olde man I retain my interest but have more a sadness for the losses of both sides rather than choosing one side or the other.

Because of my ancestry and my great grandfathers' service, I would probably buy the Union tartan kilt before the Confederate tartan kilt.

Or, maybe like that old Bob Hope movie someone needs to make a kilt with one side the Union tartan and the other side the Confederate tartan...

**L. Ramsay** · 10th June 10, 07:40 PM

Whoa. SOrry for the doublepost guys. Computer problem.

**L. Ramsay** · 10th June 10, 07:42 PM

Maybe we need a single ACW tartan for use by all.

But on the main question asked by the OP, I say go for it. The only ones likely to ask "what tartan?" will probably be open-minded to whatever the answer is.

Most of the time people will probably just say "A kilt! Wow thats cool." And move along.

One of the things that I believe sets kiltwearers apart from the general public is a total disregard for what the public thinks.

Speaking for myself, I haven't been too concerned with what people think about me, and now sure isn't the time to start.

**GaRebel211** · 10th June 10, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by L. Ramsay

Maybe we need a single ACW tartan for use by all.

But on the main question asked by the OP, I say go for it. The only ones likely to ask "what tartan?" will probably be open-minded to whatever the answer is.

Most of the time people will probably just say "A kilt! Wow thats cool." And move along.

One of the things that I believe sets kiltwearers apart from the general public is a total disregard for what the public thinks.

Speaking for myself, I haven't been too concerned with what people think about me, and now sure isn't the time to start.

Amen Brother

...however I personally couldn't go with a single ACW tartan, it would clash with my Jefferson Davis Quote tattooed on my arm...

**Brian K** · 10th June 10, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by L. Ramsay

Maybe we need a single ACW tartan for use by all.

But on the main question asked by the OP, I say go for it. The only ones likely to ask "what tartan?" will probably be open-minded to whatever the answer is.

Most of the time people will probably just say "A kilt! Wow thats cool." And move along.

One of the things that I believe sets kiltwearers apart from the general public is a total disregard for what the public thinks.

Speaking for myself, I haven't been too concerned with what people think about me, and now sure isn't the time to start.

I have often thought the same thing. Despite my Southern roots, I am glad the South lost and the Union was preserved. I love this country and I'm glad we stayed together. We can, and will argue about why the war was fought but the reconciliation of the two sides, rough though it has been sometimes, continues and is desirable.

With that in mind I designed a tartan I titled Grant and Lee at Appomattox. It has two shades of gray, two shades of blue, olive green for peace, white for reconciliation and a fresh start and gold to represent the general's stars on their uniforms.

http://scotweb-objects.com/images/td...lery/16235.jpg

I don't know if this is what you had in mind, but it's one idea for what you were suggesting.

Regards,

Brian

**L. Ramsay** · 10th June 10, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Brian K

I have often thought the same thing. Despite my Southern roots, I am glad the South lost and the Union was preserved. I love this country and I'm glad we stayed together. We can, and will argue about why the war was fought but the reconciliation of the two sides, rough though it has been sometimes, continues and is desirable.

With that in mind I designed a tartan I titled Grant and Lee at Appomattox. It has two shades of gray, two shades of blue, olive green for peace, white for reconciliation and a fresh start and gold to represent the general's stars on their uniforms.

http://scotweb-objects.com/images/td...lery/16235.jpg

I don't know if this is what you had in mind, but it's one idea for what you were suggesting.

Regards,

Brian

Exactly what I had in mind! Looks great too. Consider getting it registered?

I know I'd get one.

**Brian K** · 10th June 10, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by L. Ramsay

Exactly what I had in mind! Looks great too. Consider getting it registered?

I know I'd get one.

Thank you, Sir. It was a third or fourth attempt at such a tartan and I am somewhat pleased with the design, but at present I don't think I can afford to have it registered. Of course, I do think you could have Nick at Scotweb weave it for you even if it is not registered. It would be nice to have one of my designs woven. A gentleman from Alaska is having a tartan I tweaked for him woven - that is the closest I've had one of my setts produced in cloth.

Regards,

Brian

**macwilkin** · 10th June 10, 10:53 PM

There is actually a hereditary society called the Order of the Blue & Grey for descendants of Northern & Southern soldiers. Brian's tartan reminded me of their membership badge.

T.

**kid icarus** · 21st June 10, 04:54 AM

if you like it wear it.

as for states....i also, have no ties to any since i've moved around so much. if you are thinking that route, doesn't the u.s. have it's own tartan?

really if you find a kilt you like, wear it. no one is going to care if you are wearing a macdonald, but have no family affiliation with them.....well some over the top people at the highland games might, but so what? i have only a couple times been asked what my kilt is. and after answering that question, that was the end of that.

**macwilkin** · 21st June 10, 05:33 AM

Richard,

I'm not doubting your research per we, but I'm curious as to a claim you made in your last post: are you implying that the 79th wore the same uniform tunic throughout the entire war? I'm no expert on the 79th & the nuances of its uniforms, but I would be curious about this point.

As you mentioned, many pre-war militia units, North & South, had their own distinct uniform and monikers. Besides the 79th and the 12th IL, which reportedly wore a balmoral with a state uniform, there were a plethora of units with private purchase & state issued kit. Much of this kit was "shoddy" & soon fell to rags during the early days of the war. As the 90 day volunteers reenlisted in 3 year regiments, antebellum uniforms were replaced by more standardized federal issue items. There were exceptions of course; Duryeas Zouvaes maintained their distinct uniforms even through reorganization as a veteran volunteer unit.

My question is: is there evidence that the state of New York supplied the 79th with its tunic and trews throughtout the war, or did the regiment receive standard issue uniforms?

T.