Lieut-Col. Samuel McKenzie Elliott, an oculist from Staten Island, was the original commander of the 79th New York Militia. The regiment was comprised mostly of Scottish immigrants and Scottish-Americans. They wore kilts (only for parade dress) and "trews" (trousers) made in the tartan of the 79th "Cameron Highlanders," a Scottish regiment of considerable fame and reputation. Many of the original members came from the "Highland Guard" and were members of the New York Caledonian Club and the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.
Captain William Manson, a native of Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, led Company A and Captain James A. Farrish led Company B. The regiment was quartered at the Palace Gardens on 14th Street in Manhattan. After a parade through lower Manhattan on June 1st 1861, accompanied by Robertson's Band, the men of the 79th boarded a train in Jersey City, NJ, bound for Washington, DC.
The regiment did their basic training at Georgetown College, the student dorms serving as barracks, before being called into action at the Battle of the First Bull Run on July 21, 1861. Col. James Cameron, brother of Secretary of War, Simon Cameron, was appointed commander of the 79th NY "Highlanders." Col. Cameon died at First Bull Run, having been shot in the chest by a large rifle ball.
After the First Bull Run, Col. Isaac Ingalls Stevens became the new commander of the 79th New York. Having lost several officers and men at the First Bull Run, and not being allowed to choose their new commander, the men of the 79th decided to stage a mutiny, which Col. Stevens managed to quickly resolve. In September of 1861, Col. Stevens was promoted to Brigadier General.
At Spotsylvania the regiment was commanded by Gen. David Morrison, who was wounded in action. The color bearers fell several times and were eventually held by Capt. Robert Gair, whose comrades chanted, "Gair, Gair" as he kept the 79th regimental flag held high.
The 79th "Highlanders" fought in seventeen engagements including Secessionville, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, Knoxville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appamattox. They were one of the most seasoned units from New York City during the war.
Out of a total of 2,200 men, 198 were killed and 304 were wounded or missing. After returning to New York City, the 79th NY regiment disbanded in January of 1876.
Sources:
Phisterer, Frederick. New York in the War of the Rebellion Albany: J. B. Lyon Company, 1912.
Todd, William. The Seventy-Ninth Highlanders N.Y. Volunteers in the War of Rebellion 1861-1865
Albany: Brandow, Barton & Co., 1886.
Harlan Whatley - My passion for history comes from growing up in Northern Louisiana. My dad used to take me to Mansfield, where the rebels staved off the ...
