Iron Brigade

The Iron Brigade was an elite major unit in the First Corps of the Army of the Potomac army. It consisted mostly of soldiers who came from the Midwest.

The following regiments were part of the Iron Brigade:

• 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
• 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
• 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
• 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment
• 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment

The first regiments were established in June / July 1861 in the respective countries and quickly into the combat zone to the east (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania) transported. Up to the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, which was at that time still gray (!) Uniforms, the associations met but not in time to fight in the First Battle of Manassas can.

The Iron Brigade was erected Infantry Regiment after Bull Run from the 2nd Wisconsin, 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and 7th Wisconsin and 19th Indiana. The 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment came only in August, 1862, after the second battle of Manassas to the brigade added to reinforce the weakened units.

The Iron Brigade participated in all major battles in part, of the second battle of Manassas of the battles of Antietam and at Fredericksburg up to the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and the siege of Petersburg.

The hallmark of the Iron Brigade were black hats ( the so-called " Hardee hats " ), whose left brim was folded up, so the brigade as " Black Hats " ( Black Hats) said.