The 79th New York Highlanders get their colors back.

John Hartwell

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In an excellent post from his Longislandwins blog, @Pat Young has told of the mutiny of the 79th New York Highlanders following their hard handling at First Bull Run, and general feeling that they had been poorly led and badly used by the army.

"On August 14, the regiment was ordered to move into camp in Maryland, and the men, some of whom were drunk, refused to follow orders. General George McClellan, the new commander of the Union army around Washington, ...told [them] that if they did not end the rebellion, they would be shot."

"The apparent leaders of the mutiny were arrested and the regimental flags were taken away from the unit, a lasting symbol of disgrace. McClellan himself blamed the episode on “the utter worthlessness of the officers” of the regiment."
The disgrace of having their colors taken away was only temporary, however. On the following September 17th, a ceremony was held in Washington, as described here by the Correspondent of the New York Herald:
Albany_Evening_Journal_1861-09-17_2 - Edited.png
George McClellan knew the importance of ceremony to the spirit of the Army.

The role of the men from the 3rd Vermont Regiment was symbolic, because fast action by the Vermonters was critical in cowing the mutineers and bringing the New Yorkers under control.

 
In an excellent post from his Longislandwins blog, @Pat Young has told of the mutiny of the 79th New York Highlanders following their hard handling at First Bull Run, and general feeling that they had been poorly led and badly used by the army.

"On August 14, the regiment was ordered to move into camp in Maryland, and the men, some of whom were drunk, refused to follow orders. General George McClellan, the new commander of the Union army around Washington, ...told [them] that if they did not end the rebellion, they would be shot."

"The apparent leaders of the mutiny were arrested and the regimental flags were taken away from the unit, a lasting symbol of disgrace. McClellan himself blamed the episode on “the utter worthlessness of the officers” of the regiment."
The disgrace of having their colors taken away was only temporary, however. On the following September 17th, a ceremony was held in Washington, as described here by the Correspondent of the New York Herald:
George McClellan knew the importance of ceremony to the spirit of the Army.

The role of the men from the 3rd Vermont Regiment was symbolic, because fast action by the Vermonters was critical in cowing the mutineers and bringing the New Yorkers under control.

Thanks for the acknowledgement.
 
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