celtic confederate jackets worm with kilts

[Lallans]

Here in Canada we only get to see US Civil War reenactments either as a matter of luck or of good management; in my case it would be the former. But recalling the great book Confederates In The Attic, I seem to remember that there are degrees of historical accuracy, as indeed there are in all things, some lesser and some greater until you get to the point where you're actually living in the mid-1800s, but of course only according to your conception of them... my point being that noone really knows what was or is entirely accurate, especially with the Confederates who didn't have the big Northern industrial machine behind them and were a lot more catch-as-catch-can in the matter of dress. And surely if they often didn't have uniforms or even footwear, anything is possible?

I state all this as my impression, being an ignorant foreigner in this regard and not, you know, wanting to get in the middle of any family fights.

[macwilkin]

Here in Canada we only get to see US Civil War reenactments either as a matter of luck or of good management; in my case it would be the former. But recalling the great book Confederates In The Attic, I seem to remember that there are degrees of historical accuracy, as indeed there are in all things, some lesser and some greater until you get to the point where you're actually living in the mid-1800s, but of course only according to your conception of them... my point being that noone really knows what was or is entirely accurate, especially with the Confederates who didn't have the big Northern industrial machine behind them and were a lot more catch-as-catch-can in the matter of dress. And surely if they often didn't have uniforms or even footwear, anything is possible?

I state all this as my impression, being an ignorant foreigner in this regard and not, you know, wanting to get in the middle of any family fights.

Unfortunately, this sort of logic is used to justify a lot of very "farby" items in personal kit in the Civil War reenacting community. While your points are technically correct, as I mentioned, in NPS living history we were taught to portray the "average" in our period; in this case, the simple question "Was the kilt an "average" garment in 19th century America, specifically the Southern states?" applies -- Ockham's razor would provide the answer: no.

And yes, whilst the South did not have the industry and manufacturing that the North did, that doesn't mean they had none at all. Southern factories did turn out everything from uniforms to copies of Northern weapons, but obviously not at the rate Northern ones did.

And finally, there were a number of Canadians who did serve in the American Civil War; the Sons of Union Veterans is actually working on a memorial to them at present.

T.

[piperdbh]

Let's see if the OP jumps back in and gives any more insight of how/why he's wanting to mix his wardrobe.

[Lallans]

{snip.}

And finally, there were a number of Canadians who did serve in the American Civil War; the Sons of Union Veterans is actually working on a memorial to them at present.

T.

That I did know, in fact I had quite a few ancestors who fought in it (I refuse to say on which side). Most went 'down' from Canada but one started in the USA, came out severely disabled with what is now known as PTSD, and moved to Canada seeking to get as far away from the other side as possible. From family accounts, that didn't work out very well for him and he was a little dangerous to be around if there were sudden loud noises.... but anyway Ted, can you tell me more about the proposed memorial you mention?

[macwilkin]

That I did know, in fact I had quite a few ancestors who fought in it (I refuse to say on which side). Most went 'down' from Canada but one started in the USA, came out severely disabled with what is now known as PTSD, and moved to Canada seeking to get as far away from the other side as possible. From family accounts, that didn't work out very well for him and he was a little dangerous to be around if there were sudden loud noises.... but anyway Ted, can you tell me more about the proposed memorial you mention?

http://www.suvcw.org/CanadianMonumen...anMonument.htm

[Lallans]

http://www.suvcw.org/CanadianMonumen...anMonument.htm

Thanks, I'll pass that on to some family members who'll be thrilled for sure. For the Union boys anyway.

[Mike_Oettle]

Hi, Reece, and welcome to X Marks from the bottom end of Africa.
As for your Civil War, I had better keep my mouth shut. We have enough trouble in this country about the Boer War!
Regards,
Mike

[BobsYourUncle]

Unfortunately, this sort of logic is used to justify a lot of very "farby" items in personal kit in the Civil War reenacting community. While your points are technically correct, as I mentioned, in NPS living history we were taught to portray the "average" in our period; in this case, the simple question "Was the kilt an "average" garment in 19th century America, specifically the Southern states?" applies -- Ockham's razor would provide the answer: no.

And yes, whilst the South did not have the industry and manufacturing that the North did, that doesn't mean they had none at all. Southern factories did turn out everything from uniforms to copies of Northern weapons, but obviously not at the rate Northern ones did.

And finally, there were a number of Canadians who did serve in the American Civil War; the Sons of Union Veterans is actually working on a memorial to them at present.

T.

I must weigh in to support Todd and his views. As a fellow reenactor and amateur historian, and Scottish culture enthusiast, accuracy is EVERYTHING. Reenacting is an expensive and time consuming hobby. If you are not pairing it with a study of history, you are engaging in fantasy dress up and running around in the woods shouting "Bang, Bang", and in my humble opinion, wasting time and money. You can have plenty of fun running around in the woods yelling "Bang Bang" without all that expensive gear. The reenacting group in which I participate takes the history very seriously, and accuracy is required.

Some posters have essentially argued that we can't know what people wore in that era, so we are free to make it up. IMHO, that view couldn't be more wrong. You would be surprised at how much evidence is available as to what soldiers wore, what equipment they used, what daily life was like in camp and during battle, even during times that predate photography. Newspaper accounts of our valiant boys marching off to battle, newspaper descriptions of ceremonial military occasions, letters home from soldiers in the field, memoirs and personal accounts by soldiers are some of the many sources we have for what was worn and what practices were followed. To blithly conclude that it happened before we were born, so we have free license to make it all up ignores the fact that there is actually considerable evidence. I suppose that attitude is quite convenient, as it frees one from the hard, sometimes painstaking work of digging out the factual record.

Our group, which reenacts the 7th Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders as they fought from 1939-1946, recently had an internal debate about whether a
certain regimental flash or patch was worn by members of the regiment during the fighting in North Africa in WWII--photographic evidence from the Regimental Museum director at Stirling Castle decided the issue. We only agreed to wear that item once evidence of its use at that time and place was established.

My view is that accuracy is vital to our effort to honor the memory of those who fought and died. We also feel that post amalgamation of the Scottish regiments, we fulfill a vital role in preserving regimental culture and history, and we can't do that without rigorous historical accuracy, othewise we are a poor joke poorly told.

Your heritage is precious to you. You add to the life of the community by honoring it and putting it on display. By all means, honor your heritage any way you see fit. But I would suggest that you would do it the most honor, and most honor your ancestors who fought and died, by researching the details of their lives, record of which does exist [you would be surprised how much evidence exists]. Nothing will bring you more satisfaction than being able to present to those who ask actual facts about how your CSA shell jacket relates to your family member's military service.

I learned of my family connection to the MacPherson Clan from letters home by ancient "Uncle Murdoch", who came to America from Scotland in 1837, which letters were stuck in the back of a mildewed family bible. He brought his sister and her husband over in 1853, from whom I am descended. Finding Uncle Murdoch's obituary in local newspaper microfilm archives told me that he assisted in running the Underground Railroad in Ithaca, New York during the Civil War. I am proud of that. Facts and details give history its spice, flavor, life. No mere fantasy can ever have the impact of the actual facts, learned from actual evidence.

Once you try history, you'll never go back...