Blue Bonnets O'er the Border: The 79th New York Cameron Highlanders

I was truly disappointed in this book. It is filled with inaccuracies, and frequently presents the author's assumptions and predispositions as fact, without sufficient documentation to back up his claims.

The book is terribly biased towards providing "documentation" for those who wish to portray the 79th as a bunch of Celtic yahoos, when the original 79th was nothing of the sort. He consistently ignores the decidedly non-Scottish ethnic majority of the regiment. Again and again, he seems more determined to put a Scottish spin on the regiment, rather than contibute any worthwhile historical research on it.

The only good thing that can be said of the book is that some of the photos are rather interesting. Unfortunately, he also published many modern drawings and sketches without indicating that they are not contemporary to the Civil War, or made by members of the regiment.

It is highly disappointing, as I hoped that the book would not be yet another ex! ample of the usual nonsense and drivel written about this fine regiment. As another reviewer commented, see Todd's regimental history for a real look at this highly honored regiment.

A greatly disappointing work. (1/1 people found this helpful)

McKnight's "Blue Bonnet's O'er the Border" fell well short of this reader's expectations. First, it is woefully brief: the text of the book is but 163 pages, at least 40 of which are occupied by illustrations or maps. As any student of the Civil War knows, a mere 120 to 130 pages is not nearly enough to cover the exploits of a three-year volunteer regiment. Second, the work is full of factual errors and misleading statements, too numerous to recount here. Two exaples stand out in my mind. Clearly, the author, a 79th New York reenactor and self-proclaimed Scottish enthusiast, has used this book to prove the Scottish identity of the members of the 79th New York. To do so, he has taken liberties with historical fact. For instance, the regiment, contrary to McKnight's claims, was not comprised predominently of Scots. Though at the core of the regiment were the Scottish members of the prewar 79th New York State Militia, these 300 men were eventually equalled--or even outnumbered--in the unit by Irish immigrants. The book is also advertised as the first history of this colorful regiment. It is not. 79th New York veteran William Todd published a history of the regiment in 1886. Unlike McKnight's flimsy book, Todd's work is refreshingly candid, objective, and thorough. If you really want to learn about the 79th New York, track down a copy of Todd's regimental history.

McKnight makes you feel like you are fighting with the 79th. (0/1 people found this helpful)

The 79th Cameron Highlanders was a volunteer New York City regiment that spawned from The New York Caledonian Club and went on to become one of the hardest fighting groups of immigrants in the Civil War. Scottish-Americans and military history buffs will appreciate this book as McKnight debunks many myths about the 79th.

Blue Bonnets O'er the Border: The 79th New York Cameron Highlanders

William McKnight, Mark McKnight

Reader Reviews:

Bad history through plaid-colored glasses (1/1 people found this helpful)

A greatly disappointing work. (1/1 people found this helpful)

McKnight makes you feel like you are fighting with the 79th. (0/1 people found this helpful)

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