Uniform Question

[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.

[kallen]

I would imagine that any Scots that came over probably sided w/ the enemy (the North) during the War of Northern Aggression. Scottish Mercs. maybe...oh man that would be "Mercs In Skirts"...sorry 'bout that.

I have a friend who's in the SCV, I'll email him and see if he has any info.

[macwilkin]

I would imagine that any Scots that came over probably sided w/ the enemy (the North) during the War of Northern Aggression. Scottish Mercs. maybe...oh man that would be "Mercs In Skirts"...sorry 'bout that.

I have a friend who's in the SCV, I'll email him and see if he has any info.

There was no "enemy" in the Civil War, sir. They were all Americans, including my Scottish ancestors, who served their nation in Iowa and Illinois Regiments. They were not "mercs", but soldiers. Brave ones, the same as the men they faced on the other side of the deadly ground.

United in courage, united in death...they are simply Americans.

T.

[nixphotography]

United in courage, united in death...they are simply Americans.

T.

Well said.

Thus they shall be rembered.

[Riverkilt]

Know this isn't a reenactment thought, but I have always thought that a fitting tartan for memorializing the Southern folks would be, of all things, the West Point tartan. So many Southern officers came from West Point...and its a gray tartan...

Of course it could just as easily be used for the North for the same reason.

Ron
Great great grandson of Edmond Root, Corporal Co F, 152nd Illinois Infantry who served in the Tennessee campaign and came home so gaunt his wife almost shot him for a marauder - but the family dog recognized him and saved his life by running to him wagging its tail

Great great great grandson of Norman Nelson Blake a private in the 136th Ohio Infantry who helped repulse Early's attack on Washington. Before that he was a "Squirrel Hunter" during Morgan's Raid through Ohio. When Norman returned from the war he named his first born son Grant. That name stayed in the family and has been handed down through my father, myself, my daughter, and my granddaughter.

Yet for all my Union ancestry I was born in Selma, Alabama - so hope I have a fair shake for each side.

[kallen]

There was no "enemy" in the Civil War, sir. They were all Americans, including my Scottish ancestors, who served their nation in Iowa and Illinois Regiments. They were not "mercs", but soldiers. Brave ones, the same as the men they faced on the other side of the deadly ground.

United in courage, united in death...they are simply Americans.

T.

Well...to this humble and loyal Southerner, the North was the enemy. They litteraly conquered and occupied a foreign country. If there was no enemy then there wouldn't have been a war. We fought together in Span/Amer War, WWI, WWII, and the rest, but during the War of Northern Aggression we fought the invading country, which was the USA.

The term "Mercs" wasn't meant to be derogatory, it simply means "soldier for hire", like the Hessians, used by the Brits in the Rev. War. and the Irish(my peeps) Conscripts that Longshanks used.

[macwilkin]

Well...to this humble and loyal Southerner, the North was the enemy. They litteraly conquered and occupied a foreign country. If there was no enemy then there wouldn't have been a war. We fought together in Span/Amer War, WWI, WWII, and the rest, but during the War of Northern Aggression we fought the invading country, which was the USA.

The term "Mercs" wasn't meant to be derogatory, it simply means "soldier for hire", like the Hessians, used by the Brits in the Rev. War. and the Irish(my peeps) Conscripts that Longshanks used.

I'm not going to get into the politics of the Civil War, sir, because 1). The War ended in 1865 and 2). it's against forum rules. All I will say is this:

The South didn't stop being Americans or part of the USA because they decided to secede.

You may view us as the "enemy", but I view you as fellow countrymen. My in-laws from Louisiana certainly don't view me as "the enemy".

And your comparison of Nothern soldiers, especially immigrants, to soldiers-of-fortune is waaay off-base.

T.