William Thompson Lusk to Lou Thompson, June 27, 1861

June 27th, 1861.

Dear Cousin Lou:

Did I not promise to write you, when the time came to say good-bye? Aye, oh best of women! And now I am fulfilling my promise hastily, for in an hour I shall be on my way to Washington. You must feel with me in my happiness! At length I am judged worthy to expose my life for my country's sake. I go to join the 79th Regiment. Think, Cousin Lou, I am going to see real danger, real privation, real work — not as a mere Carpet-Knight, talking valorously to girls, but going forth in all humility to help to conquer in the name of God and my Country. Pray for me, Cousin Lou! Not for my life — I never prayed for that in any hour of peril — but pray that I may never falter, whether my duty shall lead me to honor or to death.

Good-bye Cousin. Love to Mr. Grant, Cousin Laura, Cousin Henry, the children, and all friends.

Lovingly,

Willie.

Hurrah! Off in ten minutes, so Au-Revoir here or hereafter.

_____

"Life of General Isaac I. Stevens," Vol. II, p. 321.

“For many years the Highland Guard was a crack New York City Militia Battalion, composed of Scots, or men of Scottish lineage. They wore the kilt as their uniform, and, for fatigue or undress, a blue jacket with red facings, and trousers of Cameronian tartan. At the breaking out of the rebellion, the battalion was raised to a full regiment by the addition of two companies and filling up the ranks, and on May 13th, 1861, entered the United States service for three years as the 79th Highlanders, New York Volunteers. . . .

“One company contained so many bookkeepers and clerks, that it was known as the Clerk's Company.”

Page 327. In August, 1861, “the Highlanders still wore the blue jacket with red facings, but the regulation uniform as to the remainder. Later, when the jackets were worn out, they were uniformed like other troops.”

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 47-8