Confederate Memorial

[L. Ramsay]

If you're wanting to wear the Confederate Memorial to honor the soldiers of "the South", keep in mind that geography did not necessarily dictate allegiance to either of the two governments. Many folks in the Appalachians sided with the Union, as did a few flat-landers.

I think it's a beautiful tartan, and if you get the kilt, I hope to see you at Games and such.

What I've always found especially intriguing is Maryland. Public opinion and the officials in power were secessionists, but the Federal Government intervened and revoked Habeas Corpus, so the leadership was imprisoned and Maryland couldn't secede. I find that more dramatic than the familiar border states of Kentucky and Missouri.

But I find it more interesting that the tartan incorporates both the flag colors, the typical uniform color, and the branch colors. So it transcends the regional really.

[macwilkin]

What I've always found especially intriguing is Maryland. Public opinion and the officials in power were secessionists, but the Federal Government intervened and revoked Habeas Corpus, so the leadership was imprisoned and Maryland couldn't secede. I find that more dramatic than the familiar border states of Kentucky and Missouri.

But I find it more interesting that the tartan incorporates both the flag colors, the typical uniform color, and the branch colors. So it transcends the regional really.

Actually the events of Missouri were much worse. Many Missourians were Constitutional Unionists, and attempted to remain neutral, as did Kentucky.

I don't have an exact figure at hand, but all of the border states produced more regiments for the Union than the Confederacy. In Missouri, over 100,000 volunteered for Federal units, while only 40,000 joined the Confederate forces and the pro-Southern Missouri State Guard, which was not a unit of the CSA.

There is a relatively new book out that I haven't read yet on this very topic:

http://www.amazon.com/South-Vs-Anti-...ref=pd_sim_b_2

T.

[macwilkin]

As a life long resident of the North with family that served only in the Union, I would not were the Confederate Memorial, but would not look down on anyone that did. Northern or Southern. It is a very beautiful combination that when I first saw it I wanted it. But the traditionalist in me finds no linkage to it.

There is a Federal Memorial Tartan, produced by the Mass. Department of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. At least one Xmarks member has a kilt in this tartan, made by Matt Newsome.

T.

[L. Ramsay]

I find it interesting that the local populations didn't follow the lead of influential families, after all in many cases they had founded the towns.

But, kilts. Yes. I'm certain some of them wore kilts.

[macwilkin]

I find it interesting that the local populations didn't follow the lead of influential families, after all in many cases they had founded the towns.

But, kilts. Yes. I'm certain some of them wore kilts.

It happened in the Revolution (our first Civil War) as well; the Anglo-Dutch "Lords of the Hudson" in New York generally (mea culpa) favored the Patriot cause, while their Highland Scots tenants were Loyalists.

T.

[L. Ramsay]

It happened in the Revolution (our first Civil War) as well; the Anglo-Dutch "Lord of the Hudson" in New York generally (mea culpa) favored the Patriot cause, while their Highland Scots tenants were Loyalists.

T.

Its the sort of thing that strikes you as ironic at first glance. But the great thing about history is that first glance is never right!

[bchunter]

Born and breed in the South, with my Scottish ties in the South, and with ancestors who fought for the CSA, I would love to have a kilt in this tartan. Likewise, as others have eloquently stated, any wearing that is in the spirit of reverence and memorial to those fallen is OK by me, Union or CSA.

[Brian Boru]

I'm considering ordering a Confederate Memorial tartan kilt (amongst others), mainly because I like the color combination and pattern. Other than the fact that I now live in the South, I can claim no connection to the Sons of the South. My ancestors weren't even on this continent during the conflict.

I'm going to defer to the hive mentality here. Would wearing this tartan be considered disrespectful?

Greetings,
The Confederate Memorial Tartan was designed by a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans for the SCV members who have ties to Scotland. The tartan was well received by the membership and then it was opened up for anyone to wear the tartan, not just SCV members.

The grey is for the Confederate uniform color, the red is for the Artillery, the blue is for the Infantry, and the yellow is for the Cavalry, the solid red stripe is for the blood shed by the Confederate soldiers in defence of their homes, families, and land.
June 5th was Confederate Memorial Day in Maryland, and my SCV camp took part in a ceremony at Louden Cemetary where over 600 confederate soldiers are buried. I wore my kilt and the piper that was there was also in the Confederate Memorial tartan.

As for your question about being disrespectful wearing this tartan, all I can say is wear it with as much pride and respect as you would wearing your own clan or any other clan's tartan.

Cheers,

Brian

[NorCalPiper]

I'm going to chime in something that probably won't be very popular. THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I too am born an bred in the South, and my Great-Great grandfather Edwin Brown fought with the 2nd Battalion Alabama 1st (or 2nd) company. He fought from beginning all the way to Fredericksburg where he was wounded and captured. Good thing too, because all his brothers and cousins were killed at Gettysburg. Providence....

Anyway, let me tell you why i think you should reconsider wearing this tartan. this tartan represents something completely different to other Americans. there is nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring those that fell in that conflict, but wearing a tartan that uses the colors of the confederacy will stand to remind some of what THEIR ancestors had to endure under the people and government that used them.

I don't want to sound like a bleeding heart ACLU liberal, because those that know me well will tell you that i'm anything but that.....But I personally do not believe in hurting my fellow countryman's feelings in this day and age. And while I'm a true southerner through and through, I am surely ashamed of what its culture propagated. That one aspect of Southern culture was defended by the Confederacy, and thats the truth. I want to wear tartans that i can celebrate my association with that EVERYONE will enjoy seeing and hearing the story or history about. I want to encourage others to love the kilt for the same reason I love it. I don't want to alienate or set the idea that guys who wear kilts are racist. Do you think this guy would like it?

[cavscout]

this tartan represents something completely different to other Americans. there is nothing wrong with celebrating and honoring those that fell in that conflict, but wearing a tartan that uses the colors of the confederacy will stand to remind some of what THEIR ancestors had to endure under the people and government that used them.

I don't want to sound like a bleeding heart ACLU liberal, because those that know me well will tell you that i'm anything but that.....But I personally do not believe in hurting my fellow countryman's feelings in this day and age. And while I'm a true southerner through and through, I am surely ashamed of what its culture propagated. That one aspect of Southern culture was defended by the Confederacy, and thats the truth. I want to wear tartans that i can celebrate my association with that EVERYONE will enjoy seeing and hearing the story or history about. I want to encourage others to love the kilt for the same reason I love it. I don't want to alienate or set the idea that guys who wear kilts are racist. Do you think this guy would like it?

FYI, the gentleman in the photo is a member here from early on.

I'll keep this brief so as not to go too far off topic but I feel the need to respond to the implications of this post.

Josh, I understand you are only voicing your opinion but I don't think you can drop that sort of statement in a thread and not expect a rebuttal from others. Given your logic, should a Union Memorial Tartan not be worn? Should the Blackwatch Tartan not be worn? Of course the answer is no.

The causes and reasons for the US Civil War were complicated and many, contrary to what PC history books teach today. To reduce it down to only slavery is insulting.