Wisconsin Regiments and the Iron Brigade

From the June 7th Wisconsin Newswire.

Many Wisconsin regiments were comprised primarily of a single ethnic group. Germans were the main group in the 9th, 26th and 45th regiments. Norwegians were in the 15th.

There were 115 volunteers from Beaver Dam, 26 from Juneau, 16 from Horicon and 57 from Waupon.

The 8th Wisconsin was called "The Eagle Regiment" because of its pet bald eagle named "Old Abe." When in battle, the bird would scream, spread his wings and then fly over the battlefield. Confederates called him the Yankee Buzzard and tried to kill or capture him, but never succeeded.


IRON BRIGADE

The Iron Brigade was one of the most famous units in the war. US-12, running from Michigan out to Washington state, is called the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway.

Organized in 1861, it consisted of the 2nd, 5th, 6th Wisconsin regiments and the 19th Indiana.

General John Gibbon trained the unit extensively and it earned its famous nickname at the Battle of South Mountain, Maryland. Federal troops were advancing along the National Road, forcing Confederate troops back into the gap. General McClellan asked Gen. Hooker, "What troops are those fighting in the pike?"

Hooker replied, "General Gibbon's brigade of western men."

McClellan stated, "They must be made of iron!"

The name stuck.

The unit fought at 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and were at Appomattox. The unit suffered the most casualties of any brigade in the war at Gettysburg with 61% (1,153 out of 1,885).

Must Be a Badger Thing. --Old B-R'er