NY 79th Highlanders Infantry Regiment Civil War Era Living History Encampment

The Beaufort History Museum will host the encampment of the 79th New York Highlander Regiment in a reenactment of events that forever changed Beaufort in 1861.

The re-enactors will encamp in The Arsenal Courtyard (713 Craven St.) and present live presentations of Civil War era camp life, educational discussions, drills, marching, bagpiping, and interactive activities for the entire family, Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Craven St. will be closed for the event.

Beaufort History Museum members will have a special opportunity to have coffee with the reenactors, 9:00-10:00 a.m., December 4, at the Arsenal. Non-members may join by clicking here.  Members whose membership is not currently active should click here to renew their membership.

New members who join online between December 1 - 4, 2021 and use the discount code BEAUFORT1861 will receive a 20% discount off their membership subscription.

The 79th New York Volunteer Infantry – a regiment of the New York State Militia – was originally organized as a social club in New York City in 1858. It was comprised primarily of emigrant Scots and Scottish Americans. The militia was modeled on the famous Scottish regiment, the 79th (The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders) Regiment of Foot of the British Army which was founded in 1793.  Even though the New York regiment used the same name of their Scottish namesake and their same tartan (the Cameron of Erracht clan), there was no official connection between the units.

In December 1861, the Highlanders were sent to the city of Beaufort to help occupy the town. At one point, they set up camp near what is now the National Cemetery on Boundary St.

Click here to learn more about the history of 79th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Included in the presentations are discussions and live demonstrations of the importance of music and bugle calls during the War, the variety and use of weapons including cannon, how medical support was deployed in the field, the role of women, camp dining and cooking, and other relevant topics.

Admission to the event is free (donations will be accepted). Admission to the Beaufort History Museum will be discounted for Adults ($5) and Seniors ($4). Active military and children under 12 are free.

The Beaufort History Museum, which was founded in 1939, has evolved to focus specifically on the deep and rich history of the Beaufort District. It strives to manage and display artifacts and documents held by the City of Beaufort, telling the compelling stories of this area, from the early 16th century until modern times. For information on all the Museum events, visit BeaufortHistoryMuseum.com, or follow the Museum’s Facebook page.