"Lincoln’s Highlanders" Topic

"In the wake of the failed Union attack on the Tower Battery at Secessionville on James Island, near Charleston, South Carolina, on 16 June 1862, the Charleston Mercury reported, ‘It was left to the brave 79th Highlanders, to test the virtue of unadulterated cold steel on our Southern nerves. Thank God, Lincoln had only one 79th regiment.' In fact, the Union Army possessed several predominantly Scottish regiments between 1861 and 1865, mostly based on pre-war militia units.

Approximately 600,000 Scots migrated to the United States between 1851 and 1861, bringing with them a rich military tradition. Militia companies of Scottish origin wearing full Highland uniforms were formed in both Northern and Southern states, including Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Referred to as the ‘sons of auld Scotia', a company called the Scotch Light Infantry was organized at Albany, the capital city of New York State, in August 1851, and was one of the first American units to wear a uniform based on that of the British 42nd Highland Regiment, or Black Watch…"
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Do you have painted this unit?

Amicalement
Armand

This is interesting to me, as an eager student of such Scottish oddities. I had not known before about these other units, apart from the more famous 79th NY.

If I had ACW figures, no way I would NOT have the 79th NY among them, in early war tartan trews as much as possible (I'd just paint tartan trousers on conventional infantry), some officers in kilts if I could find the right figures. Might as well capture the most colorful uniform for the tabletop.

First Corps have them in 28mm … command at least in kilts if my memory serves..

i have a unit that i sent out to be painted….one guy in a kilt since 1 guy did wear one at Manassas, the rest in trews

Ya, I painted one for my first Bull Run game. Borrowed a few Napoleonic Highlanders for officers and bagpipes.

In the pre-war kilt, because it's my army, usually for solo games and I can if I want to. They're not well painted, but they do add something to the battlefield.

If you want to paint the 79th for later than First Bull Run simply paint them in generic Union uniforms but add a Cross of St. Andrew flag (which they indeed carried).

I am just painting up the 12th Illinois (Highlanders) in their early war uniform for my 40mm ACW army. Unfortunately they didn't wear kilts or trews but did have bonnets.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand