|
The "Iron Brigade" was a unit during the American Civil War that was noted for its ability to withstand almost any fire, and its regiments combined took the highest casualty percentage of the war. It initially consisted primarily of regiments raised in Wisconsin.
The brigade took pride in its designation: "1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps." It earned its name while under the command of Brigadier General John Gibbon. Gibbon led the brigade in its first fight at Brawner's Farm during the Second Bull Run campaign, where it stood up against Stonewall Jackson's forces. It earned the designation "Iron Brigade" at the battle for the gaps of South Mountain, the prelude to the Battle of Antietam. The Iron Brigade played a prominent role on Day 1 at the Battle of Gettysburg, repulsing the first Confederate offensive, capturing much of Brig. Gen. James Archer's Confederate brigade, and Archer himself. A few months later, the first non-Western units were added to the Brigade, and although the title was kept, the spirit would never be the same.
It fought under the U.S. I Corps starting in 1862, when the Army of the Potomac was reorganized under Major General George B. McClellan. The commanders, in succession, were (all Brigadier Generals):
The regiments in the brigade were the following:
- 2nd Wisconsin Infantry
- 6th Wisconsin Infantry
- 7th Wisconsin Infantry
- 19th Indiana Infantry
- 24th Michigan Infantry
The brigade fought in the 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Appomattox campaigns. Its composition of mostly Western regiments led it to be also nicknamed the "Iron Brigade of the West".
In proportion, the Iron Brigade suffered the most casualties of any brigade in the Civil War: 61% (1,153 out of 1,885) were casualties at the Battle of Gettysburg, although it also suffered the most casualties throughout the war. Similarly, the 2nd Wisconsin, which suffered 77% casualties at Gettysburg, suffered the most throughout the war; it was second only to the 24th Michigan (also an Iron Brigade regiment) in total casualties at Gettysburg. The latter regiment lost 397 out of 496 soldiers, with an 80% casualty rate.
As a historical anecdote, the name "Iron Brigade" was coined by Gen. McClellan at South Mountain. Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, commanding I Corps, had come asking for orders. McClellan asked, "What troops are those fighting in the Pike?" Hooker replied, "[Brigadier] General Gibbon's brigade of Western men." McClellan stated, "They must be made of iron." Hooker said that the regiment had performed even more superbly at 2nd Bull Run; to this, McClellan said that the brigade consisted of the "best troops in the world." Hooker became very elated and rode off with his orders; afterward, the name "Iron Brigade" stuck. Also, due to the black Hardee hats that the brigade wore (along with other units in I Corps), they were also known as the "Black Hat Boys".
|
