Confederate Memorial

[BoldHighlander]

To the afore mentioned Hunting Stewart & Caledonia tartans I'd like to put forth a 3rd (non-clan) tartan that I think is truly handsome, Highland Granite (modeled here by our own Matt Newsome)

[OC Richard]

About the existence of Scottish-themed Confederate units, I read in some book (sorry I can't remember which) that there was a bit of a fad of naming units things like "Scotch Rifle Guards" but that the only "Scotch" thing about the uniform was the name (often engraved on the belt plate/buckle).

We have to keep in mind that in many Civil War era regiments, each company had an individual name and uniform. Many of these names and uniforms were rather fanciful.

So it was very interesting indeed when, around 20 years ago, I came across, in an antique show, a large rectangular brass belt plate, with a border of thistles, with "Scotch Rifle Guards" engraved in the plain central portion. This could have been worn by any militia unit, North or South, at any time in the 19th century, before, during, or after the Civil War.

About those photos of guys wearing the modern Confederate Memorial Tartan with Civil War era jackets, what strikes my eye is the jarring anachronism of it all.

What would help (if you allow me to get into "fashion police" mode for a moment) is to wear a sporran that's at least somewhat period-appropriate, rather than a style that didn't appear until the 1980's or so.

Here's what sporrans in the 1860's looked like. There are a few of these up on Ebay as we speak.









And about hose... hmmm... maybe our Northern California Piper has some diced hose that would go with that tartan very nicely...

(Disclaimer: I am a West Virginian. My ancestors fought for the North, the 7th West Virginia Cavalry to be exact.)