Scottish soldiers

[Dullknife]

Did anyone actually wear kilts in battle? Or those trews (tartan/plaid trousers)? I have seen reenactors wear the trousers. Is that farby?

How about bagpipes?

Thank you

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

As far as I know, the 79th New York only wore tartan in two early battles in 1861, and wore the kilts only on parades

 

[Dullknife]

As far as I know, the 79th New York only wore tartan in two early battles in 1861, and wore the kilts only on parades

Interesting.

 

[major bill]

Both the North and South had pre War militias of ethnic Scotts which made use of plaids in one form or another. I would have try to remember where I saw it, but believe I have seen a photo of a Southern militiaman in a kilt. I am not saying any wore plaids off to war.

 

[JeffBrooks]

For what it's worth, the last Scottish regiment to wear kilts in battle was the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, who were still wearing them when fighting the Germans in Belgium in May of 1940.

 

[captaindrew]

Did anyone actually wear kilts in battle? Or those trews (tartan/plaid trousers)? I have seen reenactors wear the trousers. Is that farby?

How about bagpipes?

Thank you

Yes, Farby, and bagpipes weren't a big thing in the US quite yet at the time of the CW

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Below is a link containing more detailed information about 'Lincoln's Highlanders' - the 79th NY State Militia.

REGIMENT - Lincoln's Highlanders | Military History Matters

Ron Field uncovers the role of Scots Americans in the war to free the slaves. In the wake of the failed Union attack on the Tower Battery at Secessionville ...

www.military-history.org

At the start of the war, all officers and many of the men of this regiment wore kilts; while others were dressed in Cameron tartan pants.

Also, some of the 12th IL (led by John McArthur) wore Scottish headgear (consisting of a Scottish tam-o'-shanter with tartan, or plaid, band) until at least 1862.

 

[rpkennedy]

Some of the members of the 79th New York Volunteers did retain their trews when they left the 79th New York Militia but as they wore out, they were replaced by standard trousers. After a year, the 79th would have looked much like any other New York regiment in the army.

Ryan

 

[dlofting]

I'm pretty sure that by the mid 1800's the Scottish regiments in the British service were no longer allowed to wear kilts.

 

[Old Soldier]

I'm pretty sure that by the mid 1800's the Scottish regiments in the British service were no longer allowed to wear kilts.

WRONG. The kilt ban was only in the 18th century during the fighting in Scotland when there were no Highland Regiments. Even in the field they wore an apron over the front to complement the khaki camouflage in 'foreign wars' from about 1881 which was replaced by a thin khaki 'skirt' over the kilt in 1903

Egypt 1881

South African War1900

Somme 1916

 

[Fairfield]

Did anyone actually wear kilts in battle? Or those trews (tartan/plaid trousers)? I have seen reenactors wear the trousers. Is that farby?

How about bagpipes?

Thank you

According to various blog postings, there was only one instance of bagpipes and it occurred when when a would-be piper in the 79th NY played so badly in camp that his fellows ousted him.

The blogs also discredit the wearing of kilts during battle (one post refers to such as an absurd stories). Apparently there is a photograph of a soldier in a kilt--but it is pre-war.

 

[major bill]

Did anyone actually wear kilts in battle? Or those trews (tartan/plaid trousers)? I have seen reenactors wear the trousers. Is that farby?

How about bagpipes?

Thank you

I some where have a letter of a visitor describing them before the First Bull Run. They were disappointed the men did not wear kilts and said the men wore regular Army trousers. Even trews were probably limited, perhaps mostly officers.

 

[Old Soldier]

I some where have a letter of a visitor describing them before the First Bull Run. They were disappointed the men did not wear kilts and said the men wore regular Army trousers. Even trews were probably limited, perhaps mostly officers.

One thing to remember is the supply for troops in the field. There would be only the official uniform available - no kilts, no trews, no bonnets. In addition, you MUST be able to recognise your own troops, hence the 'uniform'. The zouaveson both sides were a bit of a liability, but usually had a very disctinctive color match.

Exceptions would be made in the British army, as they were in the 1903 Dress Regulations, but by 1939, even the Scottish highland regiments wore battledress with only a very few early exceptions - and no battledress available. Kilts, trews, red coats and bonnets were for peacetime parade only.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

For what it's worth, the last Scottish regiment to wear kilts in battle was the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, who were still wearing them when fighting the Germans in Belgium in May of 1940.

Then there was this man with giant stones to do it on the beach at D Day:

https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/06/remembering-again-the-stirring-sounds-that-accompanied-the-d-day-landings/#:~:text=4%20Commando%201st%20Special%20Service%20Brigade.&text=Bill%2C%20as%20he%20was%20known,during%20the%20First%20World%20War.

 

[JeffBrooks]

Then there was this man with giant stones to do it on the beach at D Day:

https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2024/06/remembering-again-the-stirring-sounds-that-accompanied-the-d-day-landings/#:~:text=4%20Commando%201st%20Special%20Service%20Brigade.&text=Bill%2C%20as%20he%20was%20known,during%20the%20First%20World%20War.

Ah, yes! I've read that the Germans didn't shoot at William Millin because they assumed he must have gone insane.

As another fun aside on the military history of kilts... I recall that the German troops, upon first encountering Scottish Highlander regiments during World War I, nicknamed them "The Ladies". But, after fighting a few battles against them, they adapted the nickname somewhat and began referring to them as "The Ladies from Hell".

 

[Irishtom29]

I'm pretty sure that by the mid 1800's the Scottish regiments in the British service were no longer allowed to wear kilts.

Some Scottish regiments (and some Irish regiments) were still wearing kilts in combat during the Great War; there was often an outer protective cover worn over the kilt.

To this day kilts are still worn in some Scottish and Irish regiments of the British Army but not for combat.

 

[Old Soldier]

Some Scottish regiments (and some Irish regiments) were still wearing kilts in combat during the Great War; there was often an outer protective cover worn over the kilt.

To this day kilts are still worn in some Scottish and Irish regiments of the British Army but not for combat.

The kilt is worn by pipers of the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums (not the drummers) and the Highland Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland - 3rd, 4th, 5th Bns (Black Watch;Highlanders; Argyll and Sutherland) - but for parade only. The Irish Guards Drums and Pipes wear a saffron kilt (and caubeen) but this was only adopted in 1916 on the formation of the Drums and Pipes (that is what they are termed!). As with the Scots Guards, the drummers wear Parade Dress - scarlet jackets with drummers fleur-de-lys piping and shoulder wings.

The Scots Guards have both a corps of drums and pipes and drums. In the 1970s with 2nd Bn, we had days punctuated with bugle calls for one week, followed by pipes for the next!

BTW - bagpipe tunes in place of bugle calls - Reveille = Hey Johnny Cope', Last Post = 'Sleep Dearie Sleep' (I think), however - Last Post for Rememberance = 'Flowers of the Forest')

 

[Northern Light]

For what it's worth, the last Scottish regiment to wear kilts in battle was the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, who were still wearing them when fighting the Germans in Belgium in May of 1940.

The "Ladies from Hell"

 

[rpkennedy]

The "Ladies from Hell"

Almost as good as "Teufelshunde".

Ryan

 

[Northern Light]

Teufelshunde".

Have you ever been to the Marine Museum in Virginia/ Truly a scary place. Teufelshunde indeed.!