US or Confederate kilted units? Ever?

[macwilkin]

The US Army - as befits a force that had the French as allies during the Revolution and the British as adversaries, for most of its first 150 years of history emulated French military styles. Americans wore their medals like the French, wore facial hair like the French, adopted bugle calls, kepis, the works. They raised regiments of Zouaves because it was the French style, and the French style was, at least until Napoleon lll, a winning one.

Was there ever - even once - a kilted US or Confederate unit raised perhaps during the Civil War? Americans would see redcoats in kilts as enemies who fought them in two wars in North America, so I find it hard to imagine, but I'm curious. What do our experts say?

Yes, the US Army did emulate the French -- but also the British as well, specifically in regards to the regimental system of organization, the use of a National Colour and Regimental Colour, etc.

Which medals do you refer to, btw? The US Armed Forces did not adopt any formal system of awards and decorations until the establishment of the Medal of Honor during the Civil War; the "campaign medal" didn't come about until after the Spanish-American War.

During the Indian Campaigns of the late 19th century, the US Army adopted much from the Prussians, including the spiked helmet (also worn by the British Army) -- a US military attache at the American embassy in Paris was mobbed after the Franco-Prussian War for wearing one, for obvious reasons.

And whilst some Americans might have viewed Highlanders as the enemy, the regimental history of the Royal Highland Regiment specifically states that the Black Watch took no battle honours for the Revolution because it was a war between "kith and kin".

T.

[Lallans]

And whilst some Americans might have viewed Highlanders as the enemy, the regimental history of the Royal Highland Regiment specifically states that the Black Watch took no battle honours for the Revolution because it was a war between "kith and kin".

T.

I remember seeing a movie about the Battle of New Orleans in 1814, where US troops led by Col. Andrew Jackson are being set upon by Highlanders with their terrifying war pipes blaring and with Congreaves rockets also shrieking overhead... I think this was the movie that also inspired Johnny Horton's song about the battle... anyway there was a strong Scots presence there, as a psy-war element of the enemy British forces!

[macwilkin]

I remember seeing a movie about the Battle of New Orleans in 1814, where US troops led by Col. Andrew Jackson are being set upon by Highlanders with their terrifying war pipes blaring and with Congreaves rockets also shrieking overhead... I think this was the movie that also inspired Johnny Horton's song about the battle... anyway there was a strong Scots presence there, as a psy-war element of the enemy British forces!

That would be the 93rd...who were wearing trews at Chalmette. There's a great scene in the 1950s version of The Buccaneer where a "dirtyshirt" says of the pipes, "They give me the willies" -- to which, Andy Jackson (played by Charlton Heston, a kiltie from the Clan Fraser) replies, "That's the general idea".

Had the 93rd gotten the support it needed when it temporarily took an American redoubt at New Orleans, things might be a bit different today.

T.

[Lallans]

That would be the 93rd...who were wearing trews at Chalmette. There's a great scene in the 1950s version of The Buccaneer where a "dirtyshirt" says of the pipes, "They give me the willies" -- to which, Andy Jackson (played by Charlton Heston, a kiltie from the Clan Fraser) replies, "That's the general idea".

Had the 93rd gotten the support it needed when it temporarily took an American redoubt at New Orleans, things might be a bit different today.

T.

Charlton Heston- yes that is the movie! And I remember that very line too. But don't forget that battle was fought some weeks after the war was over, or so we Canucks were told in school!

[clanciankent]

No British regiment were given battle honours for the American War of Independence-even though we won most of the battles outnumbered 3 to 1 or more.

Yes, the US Army did emulate the French -- but also the British as well, specifically in regards to the regimental system of organization, the use of a National Colour and Regimental Colour, etc.

Which medals do you refer to, btw? The US Armed Forces did not adopt any formal system of awards and decorations until the establishment of the Medal of Honor during the Civil War; the "campaign medal" didn't come about until after the Spanish-American War.

During the Indian Campaigns of the late 19th century, the US Army adopted much from the Prussians, including the spiked helmet (also worn by the British Army) -- a US military attache at the American embassy in Paris was mobbed after the Franco-Prussian War for wearing one, for obvious reasons.

And whilst some Americans might have viewed Highlanders as the enemy, the regimental history of the Royal Highland Regiment specifically states that the Black Watch took no battle honours for the Revolution because it was a war between "kith and kin".

T.

[ForresterModern]

No British regiment were given battle honours for the American War of Independence-even though we won most of the battles outnumbered 3 to 1 or more.

That probably is the result of the fact that you lost the war. Militaries are not real big on rewarding or condoning the "nice effort, we'll get them next time" thought process.

[macwilkin]

That probably is the result of the fact that you lost the war. Militaries are not real big on rewarding or condoning the "nice effort, we'll get them next time" thought process.

Actually, if you read the regimental history of the Black Watch, the sentiment was one of not celebrating a victory between family, i.e. "kith and kin". I know in this day and age, and in a society that values winning, we tend to view things in a more cynical eye, but in a British sense, honour comes just as much from playing the game as it does from taking the trophy.

And of course, there are a number of examples of Americans celebrating military defeats -- the 7th Cavalry and the Little Bighorn, the Alamo, the Dade Massacre -- even Pearl Harbor and the Philippines.

T.

[Duke of Delrio]

Interesting thread, to say the least! I really must say, regarding this thread and many others, how much I have come to appreciate the posts by cajunscot. The insight and "longer view" which they have put at the disposal of this board are valuable and instructive. I am indebted to his breadth of knowledge, access to credible sources, and willingness to share.

[macwilkin]

No British regiment were given battle honours for the American War of Independence-even though we won most of the battles outnumbered 3 to 1 or more.

Oh yes...my point was that the RHR specifically stated it was because of the fraticidal nature of the War itself.

T.

[Bigkahuna]

Wasn't there a Colonel of the Coldstream Guards attached to General Pickett's Staff as an observer???