News and Events

21st July 2010

The 79th Regiment were the only kilted regiment to fight in the union army during the American Civil War. Formed in 1858, militia members of New York's Caledonian Club/St Andrews Society, the regiment was little more than a social club for the first few years in its existence. It called itself the 79th honour of the British Army's world renowned Cameron Highlanders and adopted the Cameron of Erracht tartan.

With the start of the civil war in 1861, it became the first New York voluntary regiment to heed Abraham Lincoln's call to arms, and parading down Broadway en route to Washington DC, and a military base outside the city, which they called Lockeil.

The 79th Regiment fought in the Battle of Bull Run on 21st July, 1861 against the Confederate Army, when Stonewall Jackson won his name. In all the New York Highlanders served in 28 engagements, during the American Civil War, and being a voluntary unit they were required only to serve a three years term. In 1864 they marched in a final parade before President Lincoln in Washington, the city they had saved.

19th March 2010

American Civil War Memorial is situated in the Old Calton Cemetery, close to the tomb of David Hume in Edinburgh. The memorial was rededicated in 1993 on its centenary by Lord Longford.

This imposing Monument is to the Scots who fought in the union army and is the only one outside the USA, to those who lost their lives in the civil war.