Uniform Question

[nixphotography]

Ok let me start by saying, if this is not in the right place feel free to move it.

I do War Between the States reenacting. I have looked fo several months now to find any info on Scottish units that I could find. I would much like to find any info on Confederate Scottish units that I can get my hands on(I.E. unit name, uniform worn, State from, ETC.). Any help with this question would be helpful. The unit I am in protrays the 2nd SCVI CO. B "The Butler Guards", and the 28th PA. VI. If there is anyone that has kin in these units with Scottish heritage please let me know. I need all the help I can get.


Respectfuly Requested,
Brett Nix

[macwilkin]

Ok let me start by saying, if this is not in the right place feel free to move it.

I do War Between the States reenacting. I have looked fo several months now to find any info on Scottish units that I could find. I would much like to find any info on Confederate Scottish units that I can get my hands on(I.E. unit name, uniform worn, State from, ETC.). Any help with this question would be helpful. The unit I am in protrays the 2nd SCVI CO. B "The Butler Guards", and the 28th PA. VI. If there is anyone that has kin in these units with Scottish heritage please let me know. I need all the help I can get.


Respectfuly Requested,
Brett Nix

Brett,

There is very little concrete evidence (though plenty of hearsay) of any Southern militia units wearing Highland Dress during the War of the Rebellion.* I have seen reference to some militia units bearing the name "Highlanders", "Scotch Guards", though, but no one has, to my knowledge, yet to turn up a "smoking gun" about any units, save the 79th New York and the 12th Illinois (balmorals only), that wore Highland kit as part of their uniforms. I would love to be proved wrong, though.

Of course, individual Scots served in many regiments, north and south. One Scot, William Watson, served as a Sergeant in the 3rd Louisiana Infantry. His account of service, "Life in the Confederate Army", is still available today.

The Scottish Military Historical Society does have a brief article about "Scottish" units in the Civil War, but nothing too detailed in terms of uniforms.

One thing to remember: open displays of ethnicity in the 19th century were not as common as it is today. When I was reenacting, I frequently saw other reenactors wearing Irish harp badges, yet openly displaying your immigrant background among "native" Americans in the 19th century was a good way to get a beating! Of course, ethnic displays were much more common (and safer!) in "ethnic" regiments, like the many Irish & German units you found in the war.

*Sorry, couldn't resist using the Northern name for the Civil War.

T.

[macwilkin]

Another Scottish-American who fought with great distinction was the father of General Douglas MacArthur, Arthur MacArthur, who served with the 24th Wisconsin Infantry and was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions at Missionary Ridge in 1863:

http://www.spanamwar.com/macarthur.htm

This article from electricscotland.com does have some snippets of information about Scots in the Civil War:

http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...nts/chap13.htm

Cheers,

Todd

[MacWage]

The southern states DID proclaim their Scot ethnicity during the period. If you look at the Stonewall Jackson memorial currency note, it is covered with Scottish symbology.

I would not be SURPRISED if there WAS a CSA "Highlander" unit, but have NEVER seen any photographic or other solid evidence of there ACTUALLY being one.

Brett, are you seeking to portray a CSA Highlander unit (kilt and gear), or a highlander fighting in a "regular"/normal unit?

[macwilkin]

The southern states DID proclaim their Scot ethnicity during the period. If you look at the Stonewall Jackson memorial currency note, it is covered with Scottish symbology.

Sorry, John, but I have to disagree with you here. It's one thing to talk about your ancestry, but did "Old Blue Light" ever wear a glengarry or a kilt? Remember that the majority of Southerners were Ulster-Scots and not Highlanders. The Scots-Irish, as you well know, did not openly identify with kilts & tartan until much later.

The 79th New York even received some attacks from some for wearing "foreign" uniforms.

I would not be SURPRISED if there WAS a CSA "Highlander" unit, but have NEVER seen any photographic or other solid evidence of there ACTUALLY being one.

Brett, are you seeking to portray a CSA Highlander unit (kilt and gear), or a highlander fighting in a "regular"/normal unit?

Of course, there are other ways to portray a immigrant soldier without decking oneself out in possibly inaccurate items -- the reenacting magazine Camp Chase Gazette ran a great article several years ago discussing Irish impressions, and included that carrying a rosary was far more "authentic" than wearing a harp badge on your tunic!

In that same light, I used to carry a period copy of Burns and/a pocket Presbyterian prayer book in honor of my Scottish relatives who served in the war.

T.

[nixphotography]

Great information. Thanks Cajunscot, and Macwage.

Yes, Macwage I'm looking to beable to portray one of the men if information is available to back up my impression. I am not as much concerned with the kilt in battle just the knowledge of some parts of the uniform or other things that can better my impression. Although A kilt would look nice at a memorial service if it has been worn in the past and can be substantiated with hard evidence, than I would wear it.

[LordKiltClad]

nix,
I have been researching for some time kilt wearing Civil War units. The plethora of knowledge on this board is astounding.
Take a look here:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=24912
Thread I started asking some of the same questions you have, and have numerous people give me information.

[scoutniagara]

While cruising the lower Mississippi, "War of Northern Aggression", was the most common term I heard, 'cause "there was nothing civil about it."

[David White]

During the RevWar there were Highland Regt's., that fought for the King. Most quickly got rid of the kilt and wore gatered trousers. Although kilts were worn for fatigue duty and such. I can't even imagine running through the thick Virginia woods in a kilt and they didn't want to either. Maybe at the beginning of the CW, but like Colonel Ellsworths Zouaves, they figured out that more contempory clothing was more suited for the task at hand.

[macwilkin]

During the RevWar there were Highland Regt's., that fought for the King. Most quickly got rid of the kilt and wore gatered trousers. Although kilts were worn for fatigue duty and such. I can't even imagine running through the thick Virginia woods in a kilt and they didn't want to either. Maybe at the beginning of the CW, but like Colonel Ellsworths Zouaves, they figured out that more contempory clothing was more suited for the task at hand.

David,

Many Northern Zouave regiments, though, maintained the Zouave uniform throughout the conflict and did not switch over to standard Federal issue kilt; the 5th New York comes to mind; they served as late as 1864 in the Red River Campaign in zouave kit.

T.