Original 79th New York Kilt & Sporran

[macwilkin]

The Highland Guard/79th New York State Militia were not a military organization, they were a para-military organization. Their "uniforms" like other militias were loosely regulated which caused the design of fantastic costumes. Think of their uniform as just that, a costume. Their kilt specifically was just a plaid pleated petticoat to the New York dress makers made them. It shows.... ith:

I'm not so sure, as a military historian, that I agree with this definition. The 79th NYSM was part of the New York State Militia, a legally constituted state military command under the control of the State Adjutant General -- New York was one of the few states that actually maintained their antebellum militia forces. The militia forces of the Civil War would have come under the Militia Act of 1792, passed by Congress. Their descendants are today's National Guard and Reserve forces.

Yes, many volunteer militia units had their own distinct uniforms -- but I don't think they can be so easily dismissed as pure costume. Did they get it 100% correct -- no, but neither did many of the Zouave regiments in the Civil War in terms of "authentic" French North African uniforms. The 5th New York (Later the 165th NY Veteran Volunteer Infantry) came very close, and proved themselves just as brave as the French Zouaves who stormed the Malikoff in the Crimea with the Highlanders.

Sorry to be pedantic.