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Helpful Differences

Written by William Beard

Monday, 30 April 2007

2000 William A. Beard III The Seventy-Ninth Thistle Vol.III No. 2 Winter 2000 This photograph helps illustrate the differences between the prewar and wartime 79th uniforms. The three men are from left to right: Sergeant Robert Gair, Corporal Lawrence Beattie, and Private George Arnott. The kilted men are wearing the prewar glengarry with red, blue, and white dicing. One can just make out under Gair’s beard that he has the “lightning strike” collar. Also note the chevrons are light in value. We know his cuff guards or flashes are red, and the chevrons do not match the shade of the cuff flashes. Thus we can conclude that the chevrons are light blue. Each gentleman is wearing the small 1839 pattern US belt plate. The sporrans are the early pattern (five-teat/lobe cantle). The kilts are dark in color indicating the modern Cameron of Erracht. The hose is light in color, and there are no gaiters. One will also note the garters and black flashings on the prewar hose; the post war has red garters and rosettes. Gair is wearing the 1850-militia NCO sword, and its epaulettes and sash are the correct pattern for sergeants. Arnott deserted after Bull Run and Beattie and Gair were quickly promoted to higher ranks during the first few months. For instance, Beattie was a sergeant before the unit left New York. The epaulettes have the “fish-scale” tops, and not the worsted red wool tops. Beattie is wearing the fatigue uniform for the prewar 79th, which is a doublet and trews. It is hard to make out the trews in this image, but they are clearly visible in the original. His kepi is of the particular pattern worn by the unit. The hat has a rolled-top, short sides, and has a small company letter and small regimental number on the front of the hat above the brim. There is no other insignia on the kepi. Pistols were not standard issue for the 79th soldiers. Many soldiers showed bravado in their photographs by carrying large knives or pistols, or even signs with patriotic slogans upon them. The officers of the regiment were armed with pistols. At the winter camp in Blaine, Tennessee, a number of Adams bullets were found around one officer’s hut. The prewar unit was forbidden by the Adjutant General to wear the kilt, but they wore them anyway against the Adjutant General’s wishes.

Last Updated ( Monday, 28 December 2009 )

 

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