Composed mostly of Scotchmen, uniformed in their national costume, the officers wearing kilts and the men wearing pantaloons of the Cameron tartan. After active service commenced, this dress was laid aside and the United States service uniform was substituted. The men of the Seventy-ninth fully sustained the honor and military reputation of their native land, and fought for the government of their adoption as gallantly as ever Scotchmen fought on native soil or on foreign fields. Previous to the war this regiment had belonged to the State National Guard, and at the outbreak of hostilities it was among the first to tender its services. It marched to First Bull Run, where it sustained one of the heaviest losses on that field, its casualties amounting to 32 killed, 51 wounded, 115 missing or captured. Colonel Cameron, brother of the Secretary of War, was killed there while in command of the regiment. At the battle of James Island (Secessionville), it was in Stevens's Division, and lost 110 men there out of 474 engaged. In August, 1862, the gallant regiment fought again on the Manassas Plains, and in the actions at Second Bull Run and Chantilly lost 9 killed, 79 wounded, and 17 missing; total, 105. General Stevens, formerly Colonel of the Highlanders, was killed at Chantilly, where, after six color-bearers of the Seventy-ninth had fallen, the General seized the flag and shouting, "Highlanders ! My Highlanders ! Follow your General," led the charge and fell dead amid the cheers of victory with the color-staff grasped firmly in his hand.(+) The regiment's term of enlistment expired May 13, 1864, the order for muster-out reaching the men while they stood in line on the bloody field of Spotsylvania. The recruits were organized into a battalion which served through the war, doing provost-duty at Corps headquarters.