Reenact the American Civil War with the 79th.

In 1991, Company C, 79th Highlanders, New York State Militia, was formed by a group of men in Oregon to participate in Civil War reenacting. Over the next few years, the unit grew and changed. Eventually the “Militia” changed to “Volunteers”, but most notably, the mission changed. The original idea was just to have fun, but when a few young lads joined, it was soon realized that the unit was helping the young lads grow up into succesful young men. Changes in the organization were made to foster this development of young men, and eventually, the Cameron Highlanders of the Northwest, and the Caledonian Relief Society were created as youth organizations.

The 79th is an “authentic” unit. if one of the “Old Men” of the original 79th walked into our camp, he wouldn’t notice anything unusual. We operate as a military unit. We don’t elect our junior officers and non-commission officers, the Commander appoints them. The Commander gives commands, and the NCO’s make it happen. Just like it was in the army then, and just like it is in the army now. Not everyone wants to be in an organization that doesn’t vote to make decisions and that’s fine, there are other units out there. But if you want to get the real experience of what it was like to be an infantryman, you have to do it our way.

We have had many veterans of the modern military join Company C, and if you asked one them to list all of the similarities, it would be a long list. Sure, weapons and tactics have changed, but the army is still the army, and soldiers are still soldiers.

The first thing that must be done when you join the 79th is the paperwork. A Cameron Highlander of the Northwest Membership application, a Cameron Highlander Release of Liability form, a Northwest Civil War Council Membership application, if you are under 18 a Northwest Civil War Council Minor Medical Consent form, and a Northwest Civil War Council Safety Test. If that weren’t enough, when you go to the Quartermaster to get your gear, there is a hand receipt to complete.

One of the things that make our unit somewhat unique is our extensive supply of Loaner Gear. As a new Recruit, once your paper work is complete, you will be taken to our Quartermaster Section and outfitted with everything that you need to reenact. We allow you to use this Loaner Gear for two events at no cost to give you time to see if you would like to continue reenacting with us. After two events, you need to start acquiring your own gear. You may continue to use our Loaner Gear for free as long as you are working on getting your own. The idea is for you to use less and less Loaner Gear at every event until you have all of your own gear. We would like to see you get your own gear within a year, but as we work with young lads, we are somewhat flexible as long as you are making progress. As a Recruit, the only three items that you need to provide yourself are at least 2 pair of heavy duty wool socks, a good fitting pair of black shoes or boots, and your own drawers (underwear).

At reenactments, we eat the same foods that were common during the war, either by issue, or foraging. Sometimes we have a “Company Mess” where the food is prepared by the Mess Steward, and sometimes we have “Squad Cooking” where the rations are issued to the men and they prepare it themselves. When we are going on a road march or out on picket duty, we issue “Marching Rations”. These are usualy the most common of all Civil War army food, hardtack, coffee, and salt pork.

Road marches are common occurrences, and sometimes called without warning. The men may be required to strike dog tents, pack their gear, and be ready to march within fifteen minutes in full kit. These marches are usually only a few miles or so, but we do hold an annual 20 mile road march from Seaside, Oregon, to Fort Stevens, Oregon to start the Labor Day Weekend Reenactment, The March of the Cameron Men.

While some reenactment groups play soldier during the day and become civillians or go modern at night, men in the 79th are soldiers from the time they arrive to the time they depart. All leaders are held responsible for their men at all times, from the Commander to the Corporals. Once a Recruit has been assigned to a squad, he is the Squad Leader’s responsibility. The Squad Leader must know where his men are at all times, and must assure that they are properly trained and cared for. It is a squad Leader’s job to teach their men everything they need to know, safety, drill, manual of arms, loading and firing of rifles, and the skills necessary to take care of himself and his equipment in any weather.

Our days are very busy. Revellie, first formation, roll call, breakfast, company drill, battalion drill, morning parade, guard duty, a battle for the public, rifle maintenance, pay call, a shinty match, dinner, another battle, more rifle maintenance, and supper. One of the differences between the soldiers during the war and our soldiers is, the soldiers during the war complained of boredom. Thats not a problem for us.

The battles during the day are to help educate the public about how the war was actually fought. The weapons that were used, and how the units maneuvered. But after the public is gone, we do things for ourselves. We have several annual festivities throughout the year: a Dininng In, and a couple of different ceremonies, but most of the nights are spent around the fire singing Scottish songs, and telling stories and jokes. Many of the lads enjoy this far more than going into battles. It’s hard to feel like you are really in 1863 when you’re in battle. There’s spectators all over the place, and your pretending to get shot. But at night, when the stories of our regiment are being told, you can really feel like your sitting around the fire with those “Old Men”.

Recruits that don’t like our military structure, or our work load, usually end up joining a different unit. We do not expect other units to share our perspective concerning reenacting, however, we do believe that we have a responsibility to provide a realistic experiance for our lads. We want our men to really know what it was like to be an infantryman in the Union Army. We also must always honor the “Old Men” of the original 79th. Everything we do, or fail to do, will either honor, or dishonor, those “Old Men”.

In the 79th, we work hard, and we play hard. 20 mile road marches, freezing with your mess mate on picket duty, playing shinty, or sharing a song around the fire. This combination of work and fun is what built the bonds that created our brotherhood. We are a “Band of Brothers”. Most of us would not reenact at all if there was no Company C, 79th Highlanders, New York Volunteers.