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A Short History of the 79th New York
Cameron Highlanders in the American Civil War
- As originally published on the
79th NY Cameron Highlanders Website
The 79th New York Highlanders in the
Civil War
- A slightly edited version of an article titled “Blue Bonnets
Over the Border”, authored by Joseph G. Bilby. The article appeared in the magazine
Military Images, Volume VI, Number 1, July – August 1984.
PERIOD ACCOUNTS
The Seventy-Ninth Highlanders, New York Volunteers in the
War of the Rebellion, by William Todd. Albany, Higginson Books: 1886.
- This is the
first book written about the 79th New York, authored by one who was there. As such it is the most
reliable and detailed source on the unit.
Him on One Side and Me on the Other, edited by Terry
Johnston, Jr. University of South Carolina Press, 1998.
- The war letters of Alexander
and James Campbell, two brothers who faced each other on opposites sides of the War betweeen the
States. Alexander was in the 79th New York and James was in the 1st South Carolina Battalion.
Hardtack and Coffee - The Unwritten Story of Army Life,
by John D. Billings, George M. Smith and Company, 1887.
- The Civil War memoir of a
Massachusetts Artilleryman. One of the definative, personal accounts of the life of common
Union Soldiers.
MODERN HISTORIES
History of the 79th New York Cameron Highlanders 1859-1876:
With a Treatise on the Uniform and Equipment, by William Arley Beard III, Strawberry
Plains Press: 1996.
- The first book you want to read about the 79th New York. It
is concise and accurate, comprising the story of the original 79th, a detailed description of
all the uniforms and when they were worn, illustrations, and the rosters of all companies A
through K plus officers.
Blue Springs: A History of Desperate Battles at Blue Springs
for the Control of Upper East Tennessee During the Civil War, by William Arley Beard III,
William A. Beard III, Strawberry Plains Press 1997
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GENERAL REFERENCES
Echoes of Glory: Arms and Equipment of the Union,
Time-Life Books, 1991.
- This book is packed with photographs of original uniforms
and equipment. Great for new reenactors to learn what things are supposed to look like.
The Life of Billy Yank - The Common Soldier of the Union,
by Bell Irvin Wiley, Louisiana State University Press, 1952.
- The best account of the
common Union soldier yet written. This book is well documented and is considered the best modern
history of the common Union solider.
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