Post American Civil War Kilted Regiments Uniform?

[macwilkin]

The accounts from Union scribes watching one of the major battles. Sorry don't have the name here, recorded an entire regiment of Irish immigrant confederate militia soldiers in kilt, and an entire Scottish immigrant Union kilted regiment going against each other.

Oh how I would love to see a painting of that encounter. I'll have to dig the full written account up. We had it at one of our meetings. Rather fascinating stuff.

I find the claim of an entire Confederate regiment of Irish immigrants somewhat dubious, as the Irish Regiments of the British Army didn't begin wearing kilts until the end of the 19th century, and even then, it was mostly pipers, not the rank-and-file. (Harris, The Irish Regiments, 1683-1999)
And remember, there is a lot of debate among historians about how much the 79th actually wore their kilts in the field.

If you the account handly, I'd love to have a copy. I'll be glad to some research at Wilson's Creek in our CW research library to verify it.

The drawing in the UK Round Table article, btw, is based on the plate from the Company of Military Historians, which is a very good source on the uniforms of the 79th.

You might also contact the State Historical Society of New York and the NY Adjutant General's Office to see if they have any information on post-war militia uniforms.

Before I had anything reproduced, though, I would gather as much documentation as I could.

Regards,

T.

[macwilkin]

Here is the web site for the NY State Military Museum:

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/mil-hist.htm

Cheers,

Todd

[LordKiltClad]

Here is the web site for the NY State Military Museum:

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/historic/mil-hist.htm

Cheers,

Todd

Todd, Thanks for this. Lots of great information. Funny to know the head officer was Colonel McKenzie. (I'm a McKenzie as well).