Quote:
Originally Posted by cajunscot  Probably the most famous example of this was Allan Cameron's reply to government officials who wanted to replace the kilt with trews or pantaloons in 1804 -- I can't find the full text of the letter at the moment, ... |
There is some "choppy" text, OCR isn't the best translator.
Frank
THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
No. I. NOVEMBER 1875. CHAPTER XV.
THE 79th Highlanders, on their return from Egypt, were settled for a
year at the Island of Minorca, from which they embarked fur Uritaiu. and
remained till 1804. By tins time, in view of further active service,
Colonel Cameron was favoured with a "Letter of Service" to rai-v a
second battalion, which he completed within a twelvemonth of the date
of his missive. AYhile the Colonel was recruiting for the completion of
this battalion, a considerable amount of feeling and controversy had been
abroad about superseding the kilt in the Highland regiments by the tartan
trousers, and from the following correspondence between the Horse Cuards
and Colonel Cameron, it will be clear that an inclination to that ell'cct
had some existence:
I am directed to request that you will state for the information of tho Adjutant-
General your private opinion as to the expediency of abolishing the kilt in Highland
regiments and .substituting the tartan trews, which have Leon represented to the Com-
mandei -in-Chief from respcctahle authority ;\s an article now become acceptable to your
countrymen easier to be provided, and calculated to prcseive the health and promote
the comfort of the men on service.
(Signed) HKNEY THOBFE.
Colonel Alan Cameron.
Colonel Cameron's reply to the suggestive official above quoted, is
worthy of space in the Celtic Mu<j<(::'nu>, notwithstanding its great length,
its elaborate sentences, and discursive reasonings :
GJ.ASCOW, 27th October 1804.
SIR, On my return hither, some days ago, from Stirling, I received your letter of the
13th inst. respecting the propriety of an alterntion in the mode of clothing Highland
regiments, in reply to which I beg to state freely and fully my sentiments upon that
subject, without a particle of pr.jmlice in either way, but merely founded upon facts as
applicable to these corps at Itast as far as I :un capable from thirty years' experience,
twenty of which I have been upon actual service in all clim.ites with the description of
men in question, which, independent of being myself u Highlander, and well knowing all
the convenience! and inconveniences of our native garb in the tield and otherwise ; and,
perhaps, also aware of the probable source und clashing motives from which the sugges-
tions, now under consideration, originally arose. I have to o'. servo progressively that in
course of the late war several gentlemen proposed to raise Highland ii-ginients, some for
general service, but chiefly for home defence ; but most of these corps were called from
all quarters and thereby adulterated with every description of men that rendered them
anything but real Highlanders, or even Scotchmen (which is not strictly synonymous),
and the (..'olontls themselves generally unacquainted with the language and habiU of
Highlanders, wliile prejudiced in favour of and accustomed to wear breejlu 8, consequently
averse to that free congenial circulation of pure wholesome air (as an cxhil .rating native
bracer) which has hitherto so peculiarly befitted the Highlander for activity, and all tho
other necessary qualities of a soldier, whether for hardship, on scant fare, rtadinta in
(ici-<iittriiit/, or making foi'i\il ;/M/v,V,<, &c. Besides the exclusive advantage, when halted,
of drenching his kilt in the next brook as well as washing his limbs, and drying both, as
it were, by constant fanning, without injury to either; but on the contrary, feeling clean
and comfortable, while the buffoon tartan pantaloon, with all its fringed fiippery (ftl
some mongrel Highlanders would have it) sticking wet and dirty to their skin, U not
easily pulled off, and less so to get on again in cages of alarm or any other hurry, and all
this time absorbing both wet and dirt, followed up by rheumatism and fevers, which
ultimately make great havoc in hot and cold climates, while it consists with my knowledge
that the Highlander iu his native garb always appeared more cleanly, and maintained.
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