Welcome to the Homepage of the 79th New York Infantry, Highlanders
The 79th New York Infantry is based in East Tennessee and has members from across the area. We are dedicated to preserving the memory of those who fought in the Civil War, educating others on the war and the common soldier, and helping preserve the history of our area.
Why do we portray a New York unit? The 79th New York is a very storied unit from the war. The 79th was present at many major battles, including First Bull Run, ( where their commander, Colonel Cameron, brother of Secretary of War Simon Cameron, was killed ), Antietam, and Vicksburg, as well as fights along the coast. The 79th was also present in the East Tennessee Campaign, and was part of the garrison of Fort Sanders in Knoxville when General Longstreet attacked in November of 1863.
The 79th is part of the Army of the French Broad, an umbrella organization of Federal reenacting units in the South. The AFB is a well respected group with connections to multiple events and other reenacting groups across the country.
The 79th New York takes part in several reenactments every year, and has participated in such national-level events as the the 140th, 145th and 150th Anniversary Battles of Antietam, the National Event at Perryville, KY, 150th Bentonville, NC, the 135th, 140th and 150th Anniversary Battles of Bull Run, Battle of Chickamauga, 150th Wilderness and 150th Anniversary Battle of Gettysburg, The Grand Review in Washington, DC, among many others. Also, we have attended events at both national and state parks, including Fort Sumter, Fort Fisher State Historic Site in North Carolina and Port Hudson State Historic Site in Louisiana. Our unit strives to be historically accurate and utilizes extensive archaeological evidence as well as written histories and documentation.
So, please explore, visit our blog section, and If you need information, or are looking to join, please leave a reply and we will contact you via email or by reply.
The Union Forever, and Scotland a Little Longer!
The 79th New York in no way endorses, supports or advocates, any racist, homophobic, sexist, white supremacist, or any related or like activities. We are strictly a military reenactment unit…see our statement on the top of the page
My son (13yrs old …. but 6’4″ tall, 275# ….) is very interested in joining a reinactment group. What do we need to do in order for him to join your group? We live in Newport, TN.
Thank you.
Robert Smith
Mr Smith, I will email you regarding your son, thanks for the request…
Trying to contact Lance.. Can you give me his email?
Mark…I will email the info to you…
Shane -
My son and I participated in the Chickamauga event in Sept with the 79th; I am planning on going to Aiken in February but I won’t get in until the ‘wee’ hours of Saturday (have to work all day Friday); anyway, I was hoping I could again fall in with your unit on Saturday; I now have a weapon but I don’t have a great coat so I’m hoping it won’t be too cold; please let me know if this is OK & if so, any details I’ll need to know before arriving; tks, TA Smith (Brentwood)
Very good info. Lucky me I came across your site by chance (stumbleupon).
I’ve book-marked it for later!
I was wondering where I can get a 79th New York reproduction Coat and Trews or Kilt. Thanks
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BUSSERET FRANCIS June, 08 2017
1St Lt
79 Th Highlanders » Cameron »
Reneactoring Belgium
Dear Sir, (Hi President),
It’s a long time since my last mail but I have some trouble with your new address of your staff and I hope, with this new mail meet you again.
As explain in my last letters, my team of my reneactors would make up a reconstruction of NYSV 79th Infantry, with now ten members.
I would like make a correct job, similar as possible of the history and strong in reality.
I evoid french reneactors because they know all on and, in faet, nothing. Sure I am not a grumpy man, just rigorist.
My hope is, with my team, to amalgomate you society, to wear your denomination and have a number of compagny autorised by you ; to support your staff mastering as support member I agree to pay subscription
I need also a correct regular orders for CW Infantry because no information on it is avalaible in Belgium
This time, on base of pictures,the team is making confection of first jacktet ; it is possible for you to send me a sawing pattern on it ( with collard description) I’ll return you all expenses
Your faithfull, Dear Sir President, and hope to meet you again
Francis BUISSERET
Can you send me a list of equipment? (I want to be historically acurate)