Edward S. Bragg-- Part 4: Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville

The Iron Brigade did not participate in the Peninsula Campaign, but was posted across from Fredericksburg, Virginia.

After Gen. John Pope took command of the Army of the Potomac, the Iron Brigade ended up fighting Confederates at the Second Battle of Bull Run, also called the Battle of Gainesville.  The brigade was outnumbered three to one but managed to hold their ground.  The brigade was held in reserve the second day of the battle, but fought in the third day.  They ended up forming the Union Army's rear guard as it fell back.

There were two major offensives against the Confederates at Fredericksburg in the winter of 1862 and 1863, but the brigade was not engaged in serious fighting in either.   On March 10, 1863, Edward Bragg was promoted to full colonel.  He also met President Lincoln.

During the Chancellorsville Campaign, the brigade was put in charge of securing a pontoon bridge at Fitz Hughes Crossing of the Rappahannock River. When the bridge engineers came under fire, Bragg was ordered to take his men and cross the river to secure the bank on the other side.  he accomplished this in an hour and captured 200 Confederate in the process.

--Old Secesh