I was also able to do a little research on the 79th NY Infantry, which was also apparently known as the Cameron Highlanders. They did participate in the Battle of First Bull Run with heavy loss. I also found the following newspaper clipping about Captain Falconer on the New York State Civil War website in reference to the 79th Regiment.
"OUR HILTON HEAD CORRESPONDENCE.
HILTON HEAD, PORT ROYAL, S. C. NOV. 18, 1861.
Expedition of the Highlanders to St. Helena Island—Flight of All the White Residents Except Thieves and Negro Stealers—Capture of One of the Bandits and Delight of the Negroes—The Advance Upon Charleston—Capture of a British Schooner—The Naval Expedition to the Southward, &c., &c.
…The following morning Colonel Nobles arrived. After breakfast he took Captain John A. Falconer's company and advanced them some five miles to act as pickets. The same night the negroes came in with the news that a party had landed to carry on their old game of stealing and shooting negroes. Captain Falconer in the morning took nine of his company, with a negro as a guide, to try and capture them. He went about six miles further on, and after procuring a couple of horses, he mounted two of his men to go around by the beach to destroy the boat and prevent the enemy's retreat, while he advanced through the woods. The party arrived on the beach at the point designated by the negro, where they espied a robber about three hundred yards off, in a boat, trying to make his escape. They immediately levelled their muskets and ordered him to land, which he did. He proved to be Benjamin Chaplain, a resident of St. Helena Island. He is a captain of a mounted rifle company, and a terror to all the negroes on the island.
When Captain Falconer brought him in the negroes laughed and danced, and flocked around Captain Falconer, embracing his legs, kissing his hands, and seemed to be perfectly wild with joy at the capture of their dreaded enemy. Chaplain said that, according to Lincoln's proclamation, any person living quietly at home and pursuing their regular business would not be molested, and that he was then looking after his property. He also attempted to bribe Captain Falconer by telling him if he would let him go any sum he would demand he could have. As soon as he was taken before General Stevens a polite note was despatched to the United States steamer Vixen for the captain to come on shore, as he was well acquainted with the prisoner and all of his antecedents.
This is the first capture that has been made by any of Gen. Stevens' brigade. Captain Falconer stated that he could have captured the whole of them, but a peremptory order came for him to return at once..."