A kilted California militia unit...

[macwilkin]

Not to get political, but this was why the founders favored militias over standing armies. A unit composed of the people is much less likely to turn against its own than a professional army.

Is there any way to find out what tartan they wore?

Actually, as a military historian, I can tell you that the professional standing US Regular Army generally had a better track record then many militia & National Guard units in the late 19th century on strike-breaking duty, etc.

Regular Army officers, for example, loudly decried the Sand Creek Massacre by the "Bloody Third" Colorado Volunteer Cavalry, led by Col. John Chivington in 1864.

So while the idea of a fear of a standing army certainly is found in our own history, it's not always correct from a factual standpoint.

But, that's not really the point of this thread. Information about the Wallace Guard's uniform appears to be sketchy at best.

T.