1860's re-enactment in kilt.

[macwilkin]

Just an observation, but it should be pointed out that the majority of these gentlemen are members of the New York Caledonian Club, an immigrant organization in a large urban area.

Why is that important to note? We in the 21st century tend to forget that in mid-19th century America, most people didn't wear their ethnicity on their sleeves, so to speak, unless they lived in an area settled by immigrants and participated in immigrant social circles, such as the aforementioned Caledonian Club, the German Turnvereins or the Irish Ancient Order of Hibernians, not to mention ethnic parishes and congregations.

In my 10 years of reenacting, I saw more Irish impressions (generally with very bad brogues and uniforms covered in harps and shamrocks), yet the average Irish immigrant would have most likely avoided sticking out like a sore thumb, given the deep-seated bigotry of some White Anglo-Saxon Protestant Americans against "Hans and Paddy", unless he was among his own in an ethnic community or regiment, such as the 69th NY or the 116th PA.

In the 1850s, the American or "Know-Nothing" Party had a brief rise in popularity, campaigning on the Nativist ticket and opposing immigration, especially due to the large numbers of Roman Catholic Irish arriving in the US. Some Know-Nothing elements even opposed the 79th and its "foreign" uniform.

An immigrant away from an expat settlement such as Dogtown in St. Louis could find himself in a peck of trouble if he proclaimed too loudly if he was from the "ould sod".

Just something for folks to think about before putting together an immigrant impression. I've read one article that advised those wishing to do an Irish soldier in the ranks would do well to carry a rosary instead of wearing a harp badge! Perhaps all the Scottish immigrant would need (apart from someone in an ethnic unit like the 79th) is a copy of Burns in their haversack, as one of my relatives carried.

The photos, however, are fanastic, and I'd like to thank Rachel for posting them! Guid on ya!

Regards,

Todd