By: Graeylin
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Raised in New York in 1859 the 79th New York Volunteers was an American unit
which adopted the regimental number, tartan, kilts or trews and name of the
British 79th Cameron Highlanders, but they had no official links with the
Camerons. Numbering about 300 men the 79th New York mustered into Federal
service at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 and their numbers
rose quickly to 795.
The pre war Volunteers wore kilts or trews the remainder wore US uniform, none wore the kilt in battle. They briefly had a piper in their ranks but they did not have a pipe band. They fought in the Battle of First Manassas in July 1861 and altogether they suffered over 558 casualties during the war. While manning the defences of Washington men from this unit mutinied over pay and conditions. As a result they were deprived of their colours but the 79th New York restored their reputation on the field of battle where they acquitted themselves with distinction. They were eventually stood down from duty in 1864. This is my kitbash, inspired by a kitbash I saw on another board, as well as an issue of Civil War Times I saw in a used book store... I was walking past the magazine section, and a January 1996 issue of CWT magazine had a picture of a Kilted Union Soldier and lead article on the 79th. |
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