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Those Damned Black Hats! The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign
WINNER FOR OPERATIONAL / BATTLE HISTORY, 2008, ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED BOOK AWARD
The Iron Brigade--an all-Western outfit famously branded as The Iron Brigade of the West--served out their enlistments entirely in the Eastern Theater. Hardy men were these soldiers from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, who waged war beneath their unique black Hardee Hats on many fields, from Brawner’s Farm during the Second Bull Run Campaign all the way to Appomattox. In between were memorable combats at South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, the Overland Campaign, and the grueling fighting around Petersburg. None of these battles compared with the “four long hours” of July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, where the Iron Brigade was all but wrecked.
Lance Herdegen’s Those Damned Black Hats! The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign is the first book-length account of their remarkable experiences in Pennsylvania during that fateful summer of 1863. Drawing upon a wealth of sources, including dozens of previously unpublished or unused accounts, Herdegen details for the first time the exploits of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, and 24th Michigan regiments during the entire campaign. On July 1, the Western troops stood line-to-line and often face-to-face with their Confederate adversaries, who later referred to them as “those damned Black Hats.” With the help of other stalwart comrades, the Hoosiers, Badgers, and Wolverines shed copious amounts of blood to save the Army of the Potomac’s defensive position west of town. Their heroics above Willoughby Run, along the Chambersburg Pike, and at the Railroad Cut helped define the opposing lines for the rest of the battle and, perhaps, won the battle that helped preserve the Union.
Herdegen’s account is much more than a battle study. The story of the fighting at the “Bloody Railroad Cut” is well known, but the attack and defense of McPherson’s Ridge, the final stand at Seminary Ridge, the occupation of Culp’s Hill, and the final pursuit of the Confederate Army has never been explored in sufficient depth or with such story telling ability. Herdegen completes the journey of the Black Hats with an account of the reconciliation at the 50th Anniversary Reunion and the Iron Brigade’s place in Civil War history.
“Where has the firmness of the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg been surpassed in history?” asked Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin. Indeed, it was a fair question. The brigade marched to Gettysburg with 1,883 men in ranks and by nightfall on July 1, only 671 men were still to be counted. It would fight on to the end of the Civil War, and do so without its all-Western makeup, but never again was it a major force in battle.
Some 150 years after the last member of the Iron Brigade laid down his life for his country, the complete story of what the Black Hats did at Gettysburg and how they remembered it is finally available.
The Iron Brigade--an all-Western outfit famously branded as The Iron Brigade of the West--served out their enlistments entirely in the Eastern Theater. Hardy men were these soldiers from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, who waged war beneath their unique black Hardee Hats on many fields, from Brawner’s Farm during the Second Bull Run Campaign all the way to Appomattox. In between were memorable combats at South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, the Overland Campaign, and the grueling fighting around Petersburg. None of these battles compared with the “four long hours” of July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, where the Iron Brigade was all but wrecked.
Lance Herdegen’s Those Damned Black Hats! The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign is the first book-length account of their remarkable experiences in Pennsylvania during that fateful summer of 1863. Drawing upon a wealth of sources, including dozens of previously unpublished or unused accounts, Herdegen details for the first time the exploits of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, and 24th Michigan regiments during the entire campaign. On July 1, the Western troops stood line-to-line and often face-to-face with their Confederate adversaries, who later referred to them as “those damned Black Hats.” With the help of other stalwart comrades, the Hoosiers, Badgers, and Wolverines shed copious amounts of blood to save the Army of the Potomac’s defensive position west of town. Their heroics above Willoughby Run, along the Chambersburg Pike, and at the Railroad Cut helped define the opposing lines for the rest of the battle and, perhaps, won the battle that helped preserve the Union.
Herdegen’s account is much more than a battle study. The story of the fighting at the “Bloody Railroad Cut” is well known, but the attack and defense of McPherson’s Ridge, the final stand at Seminary Ridge, the occupation of Culp’s Hill, and the final pursuit of the Confederate Army has never been explored in sufficient depth or with such story telling ability. Herdegen completes the journey of the Black Hats with an account of the reconciliation at the 50th Anniversary Reunion and the Iron Brigade’s place in Civil War history.
“Where has the firmness of the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg been surpassed in history?” asked Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin. Indeed, it was a fair question. The brigade marched to Gettysburg with 1,883 men in ranks and by nightfall on July 1, only 671 men were still to be counted. It would fight on to the end of the Civil War, and do so without its all-Western makeup, but never again was it a major force in battle.
Some 150 years after the last member of the Iron Brigade laid down his life for his country, the complete story of what the Black Hats did at Gettysburg and how they remembered it is finally available.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 31, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 15, 2022
I only had one complaint about this book; the HUGE number of typos in the narrative. It was almost to the point of making certain passages unreadable. Other than that, it was an excellent book. The author details the exploits of the Iron Brigade's fighting at Gettysburg and includes many quotes that added dramatic effect. I would say that without the typos, this would have been one of the better books I've read this year. A better copy editor was needed but sorely lacking.
December 23, 2020
An account of the famed Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Gettysburg. The 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin along with the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan lives up to their reputation on Day 1 of the most famous of battles but at great cost, suffering the highest percentage of casualties of any Union brigade in the battle.
The author does an excellent job of providing enough detail of the fighting to paint a picture of what was happening (it does help if the reader is familiar with the battlefield), but the purpose of the book is not a tactical review of what happened. Rather the reader experiences the fighting through the words of the individuals there.
While the author does cover the actions, with plenty of first person accounts and anecdotes, the book leans heavily on the primary sources left behind by men from the three Wisconsin regiments. Lt Col Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin is relied upon heavily. Not a bad thing at all as his actions and those of the 6th are worth remembering. There is very little, however, about the 19th Indiana and almost no mention of their commanding colonel Samuel Williams. What is present is good, but at times feels out of balance.
Anyone interested in the Gettysburg will benefit from this book and its use of soldier letters and diaries to give color and dimension to the Civil War story. The author has spun a very readable narrative describing one of the worst days in American history.
(One critique worth noting . . . this book could have used a good edit. There were dozens of errors — the use of the wrong tense, inclusion of extra words, etc. It did get to the point of distracting. Savas Beattie has published scores of books. While the substance of this one is good, it appears to have been carelessly rushed to print.)
The author does an excellent job of providing enough detail of the fighting to paint a picture of what was happening (it does help if the reader is familiar with the battlefield), but the purpose of the book is not a tactical review of what happened. Rather the reader experiences the fighting through the words of the individuals there.
While the author does cover the actions, with plenty of first person accounts and anecdotes, the book leans heavily on the primary sources left behind by men from the three Wisconsin regiments. Lt Col Rufus Dawes of the 6th Wisconsin is relied upon heavily. Not a bad thing at all as his actions and those of the 6th are worth remembering. There is very little, however, about the 19th Indiana and almost no mention of their commanding colonel Samuel Williams. What is present is good, but at times feels out of balance.
Anyone interested in the Gettysburg will benefit from this book and its use of soldier letters and diaries to give color and dimension to the Civil War story. The author has spun a very readable narrative describing one of the worst days in American history.
(One critique worth noting . . . this book could have used a good edit. There were dozens of errors — the use of the wrong tense, inclusion of extra words, etc. It did get to the point of distracting. Savas Beattie has published scores of books. While the substance of this one is good, it appears to have been carelessly rushed to print.)
March 17, 2024
One of several colorful formations of the Civil War, the Iron Brigade earned its reputation as a stalwart unit as a group of western recruits on the eastern battlefields. The author traces their history from their inception until the end of the war.
Most of the Civil War books I've read focus on particular battles, campaigns, or generals; it's certainly entertaining and interesting to see the war not just from the soldiers' level, but also from just the soldiers of one famous unit.
The accumulation of stories and incidents from camp life, marches, and battles is the best aspect of the book.
Another nice touch are the maps--neither period nor modern drawings, these are somewhat abstract. That sounds odd, but the effect is an excellent clarity, particularly with respect to the placement and movement of the various formations. Just for variety, there is a contemporary soldier's drawing of one battlefield.
The reader is immersed in the era, with all of its quaint mixture of solemnity, formality, fairness and integrity, with some screw-loose playfulness not far away.
The premise somewhat precludes giving a bigger picture for some of the battles and campaigns; this is by no means a general history of the war, or even of the war in the Virginia theater. With that in mind, we're given an engaging and well-written account (with some repetition) of much of the war through the determined eye of the Iron Brigade.
Most of the Civil War books I've read focus on particular battles, campaigns, or generals; it's certainly entertaining and interesting to see the war not just from the soldiers' level, but also from just the soldiers of one famous unit.
The accumulation of stories and incidents from camp life, marches, and battles is the best aspect of the book.
Another nice touch are the maps--neither period nor modern drawings, these are somewhat abstract. That sounds odd, but the effect is an excellent clarity, particularly with respect to the placement and movement of the various formations. Just for variety, there is a contemporary soldier's drawing of one battlefield.
The reader is immersed in the era, with all of its quaint mixture of solemnity, formality, fairness and integrity, with some screw-loose playfulness not far away.
The premise somewhat precludes giving a bigger picture for some of the battles and campaigns; this is by no means a general history of the war, or even of the war in the Virginia theater. With that in mind, we're given an engaging and well-written account (with some repetition) of much of the war through the determined eye of the Iron Brigade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2009
The Iron Brigade (or the Black Hats) was one of the great fighting units of the Union Army of the Potomac. One unique factor was that all the regiments for the brigade came from the West--Indiana, Michigan (the 24th Michigan joined the brigade later in its existence), and Wisconsin, and the troops were proud of that. Their inaugural battle as a brigade was a toe-to-toe exchange of fire with the Stonewall Brigade at Brawner's Farm (or Groveton). And they held their own. They, according to one story, earned the sobriquet "Iron Brigade" at South Mountain, as General George McClellan allegedly noted that the brigade was made of iron. But its legend culminated at the great battle fought at Gettysburg--when the unit was pretty much wrecked.
What makes this book special is its human perspective. Using letters, diaries, etc., we get a much more ground level view of the men in the Iron Brigade--from pri8vates to regimental leaders. It is a wonderful match for Nolan's early 1960s volume, "The Iron Brigade." Where does the title come from? Comments attributed to some Confederates advancing up McPherson's Ridge at the first day of Gettysburg. . . . They thought they were fighting militia and dismounted cavalry. When the saw the high black hats (Hardee hats) of the brigade, it is alleged that one of the southerners cried out: "There are them black hatted fellows again. Tain't no militia; it's the Army of the Potomac."
On the first day at Gettysburg, General John Buford's cavalry were engaged by forces in the division of Harry Heth. They held their own for awhile, but the numbers pressing against them were too much for them to hold all morning. At that point, General John Reynolds, commanding the First Corps, arrived, moving the troops of his First Division onto the field. He personally arranged for the Iron Brigade to take on an advancing Confederate brigade under Archer. He was killed, but the Iron Brigade routed their counterparts. And bought precious time for the Army of the Potomac. As the day wore on, the Union forces could not stand the pressure from North and West; the brigade retreated sullenly, making a final stand on Seminary Ridge before the Union forces finally broke. Only remnants of the Iron Brigade remained. Yet the survivors stubbornly participated over the next two days.
The story of the Black Hats continues, as a much reduced force, having Eastern units swell its ranks. Thus ended their sense of uniqueness as a Western unit. Although the brigade continued after Gettysburg, it was no longer a major fighting force as it had been.
A terrific view of the individuals within the Iron Brigade as well as a good account of their exploits. If interested in unit histories--especially those looking at the individuals within the unit--this is first rate.
What makes this book special is its human perspective. Using letters, diaries, etc., we get a much more ground level view of the men in the Iron Brigade--from pri8vates to regimental leaders. It is a wonderful match for Nolan's early 1960s volume, "The Iron Brigade." Where does the title come from? Comments attributed to some Confederates advancing up McPherson's Ridge at the first day of Gettysburg. . . . They thought they were fighting militia and dismounted cavalry. When the saw the high black hats (Hardee hats) of the brigade, it is alleged that one of the southerners cried out: "There are them black hatted fellows again. Tain't no militia; it's the Army of the Potomac."
On the first day at Gettysburg, General John Buford's cavalry were engaged by forces in the division of Harry Heth. They held their own for awhile, but the numbers pressing against them were too much for them to hold all morning. At that point, General John Reynolds, commanding the First Corps, arrived, moving the troops of his First Division onto the field. He personally arranged for the Iron Brigade to take on an advancing Confederate brigade under Archer. He was killed, but the Iron Brigade routed their counterparts. And bought precious time for the Army of the Potomac. As the day wore on, the Union forces could not stand the pressure from North and West; the brigade retreated sullenly, making a final stand on Seminary Ridge before the Union forces finally broke. Only remnants of the Iron Brigade remained. Yet the survivors stubbornly participated over the next two days.
The story of the Black Hats continues, as a much reduced force, having Eastern units swell its ranks. Thus ended their sense of uniqueness as a Western unit. Although the brigade continued after Gettysburg, it was no longer a major fighting force as it had been.
A terrific view of the individuals within the Iron Brigade as well as a good account of their exploits. If interested in unit histories--especially those looking at the individuals within the unit--this is first rate.
November 1, 2024
On the eve of battle, General PGT Beauregard wrote about his Union opponents before the Battle of Shiloh. He remarked they were fighting mid-Western boys and it would not be an easy fight to win. That same quote could be used for the Iron Brigade, a group of mid-Western soldiers from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. Respected by their enemy for their ferocity in battle. Their first fight was against the legendary Stonewall Brigade at Second Bull Run (aka Second Manassas). The Iron Brigade served the Army of the Potomac well and helped give the army time to gather in Gettysburg, which led to a Union victory. I respect Herdegen's passion, his research and all the interesting anecdotes he wrote in the book. I enjoy reading about stories of the common soldier in battle. However, as others have stated, there are typos. As I was reading, I had to read a passage twice or three times to make sure I understood it correctly. I wish I could give this book five stars, but I cannot. The typos throw off the narrative and create confusion. Nonetheless, this is a good book and you can still learn from it. I am preparing for the Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide exam, so I will definitely use some of the anecdotes in my tours.
January 16, 2012
By far the best Brigade history I've read. Herdegen mixes fascinating stories in with the Iron Brigade's famous fight on McPherson's Ridge and makes the reader become enamored with names like Richardson, Bragg, Dawes, Morrow, Robinson, McConnell, Lane and many more. What I found even more interesting in some ways than the battle overview was the postwar history of enemies meeting and returning to the hallowed ground where so many of their comrades fell silent. What an amazing book!
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May 4, 2025This book provides a detailed account of The Iron Brigades heroic stand at McPherson’s Ridge on July 1, 1863. The 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac was comprised of the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana, 24th Michigan. While the Iron Brigade ultimately broke and retreated, they made the Army of Northern Virginia pay dearly with copious amounts of blood.
I recommend this book be read in conjunction with Covered With Glory by Rod Gragg, which details the 26th North Carolina. The two books together provide the complete perspective.
I recommend this book be read in conjunction with Covered With Glory by Rod Gragg, which details the 26th North Carolina. The two books together provide the complete perspective.
February 18, 2025
Another book written by Mr. Herdegen about the Iron Brigade. Written as an addition to a previous book and still having material to add to the story. Although the overall book is a good read, the first few chapters are laid out in a confusing manner or is missing something. There are numerous photos and several good maps to support the text.
February 1, 2021
A detailed look at the Iron Brigade with a special emphasis on the soldiers as individuals. Interesting perspective and full of details about the men who fought with this famous brigade. Some typographical errors and choppy presentation kept me from giving it 5 stars.
April 18, 2017
"Where has the firmness of the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg been surpassed in history?" Asked Rufus Dawes in a letter from Marietta, Ohio to an 1884 reunion of his Lemonweir Minute Men at Mauston [WI]. "Two thousand muskets were carried into battle and for four long hours these men breasted the billows of rebellion until twelve hundred were shot down under the colors. Then, with colors flying and unbroken front, they retired to the Cemetery Hill. But that four hours time saved our army Cemetery Hill, and that enabled it to save the nation." Those famed Black Hats-The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign Lance J. Herdegen
The 2nd Wisconsin was the senior regiment of the Iron Brigade because it was mustered in first. The 2nd had it's baptism of fire at 1st Bull Run.
Mr. Herdegen's book is a marvelous account of The Iron Brigade of the West's service in the Gettysburg Campaign with a special emphasis on the first day.
The Iron Brigade of the West consisted of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan at Gettysburg. As a brigade the unit was wrecked sustaining losses that totaled 64%.
The 2nd Wisconsin, the first raised regiment of the brigade lost three out of four men.
The 6th and 7th Wisconsin lost one of every two men.
The 19th Indiana lost three out of four men.
The 24th Michigan lost four out of five men -the highest toll of any Federal regiment in the three days of Gettysburg.
The 2nd Wisconsin, except for two companies that merged into the 6th Wisconsin was shortly there after mustered out of service. The 19th Indiana would be merged with the 20th Indiana.
The Brigade as a whole would never be the same nor play a significant role in any other battle. The original brigade of three year men was essentially all but wiped out in the bloody fighting on the first day as Henry Heth's Confederate Division blundered into Buford's Union Cavalry and then the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corp of The Army of the Potomac-The Iron Brigade of the West.
The brigade was slow in getting recognition for its decisive delaying action on that first day. Pickett's charge on the third day and the Devil's Den fighting and the epic story of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top were much better known incidents following the Civil War.
Part of the reason was because the first veteran 's organizations were located in the east and thus received the lion 's share of publicity. The other reason may be the Iron Brigade of the West was the only all western brigade in the Army of the Potomac so regional rivalries may have played a part.
The western regiments of the Iron Brigade always seemed to know that that the eyes of the eastern regiments were upon them, wondering how these men from the western States would perform.
The Iron Brigade's first commander, John Gibbon gave the brigade both discipline and pride issuing the unit with their famous tall black hats, the same hat as the US Regulars. By the time of Gettysburg the brigade had already earned it's famous nickname- a fact recognized by the advancing Confederates when they realized they were not facing dismounted Union Cavalry or militia but the damned black hat brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
My interest in the Iron Brigade began years ago when I read Nolan's classic work on the subject. Herdegen gives Nolan ample credit and then does a masterful job of drawing from primary source material to reconstruct the battle and campaign largely in the words of the officers and men of the Iron Brigade.
This book was very hard to put down. By the time you are finished you feel to some extent that you have just shared in this famous unit's wartime and postwar experiences. Being from Wisconsin and realizing that four companies of the brigade were recruited in my hometown of Milwaukee made the reading extra special.
I enjoyed the book so much I ordered Hendegren's prequel, The Men Stood Like Iron-How the Iron Brigade Won it's Name.
The 2nd Wisconsin was the senior regiment of the Iron Brigade because it was mustered in first. The 2nd had it's baptism of fire at 1st Bull Run.
Mr. Herdegen's book is a marvelous account of The Iron Brigade of the West's service in the Gettysburg Campaign with a special emphasis on the first day.
The Iron Brigade of the West consisted of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan at Gettysburg. As a brigade the unit was wrecked sustaining losses that totaled 64%.
The 2nd Wisconsin, the first raised regiment of the brigade lost three out of four men.
The 6th and 7th Wisconsin lost one of every two men.
The 19th Indiana lost three out of four men.
The 24th Michigan lost four out of five men -the highest toll of any Federal regiment in the three days of Gettysburg.
The 2nd Wisconsin, except for two companies that merged into the 6th Wisconsin was shortly there after mustered out of service. The 19th Indiana would be merged with the 20th Indiana.
The Brigade as a whole would never be the same nor play a significant role in any other battle. The original brigade of three year men was essentially all but wiped out in the bloody fighting on the first day as Henry Heth's Confederate Division blundered into Buford's Union Cavalry and then the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corp of The Army of the Potomac-The Iron Brigade of the West.
The brigade was slow in getting recognition for its decisive delaying action on that first day. Pickett's charge on the third day and the Devil's Den fighting and the epic story of the 20th Maine on Little Round Top were much better known incidents following the Civil War.
Part of the reason was because the first veteran 's organizations were located in the east and thus received the lion 's share of publicity. The other reason may be the Iron Brigade of the West was the only all western brigade in the Army of the Potomac so regional rivalries may have played a part.
The western regiments of the Iron Brigade always seemed to know that that the eyes of the eastern regiments were upon them, wondering how these men from the western States would perform.
The Iron Brigade's first commander, John Gibbon gave the brigade both discipline and pride issuing the unit with their famous tall black hats, the same hat as the US Regulars. By the time of Gettysburg the brigade had already earned it's famous nickname- a fact recognized by the advancing Confederates when they realized they were not facing dismounted Union Cavalry or militia but the damned black hat brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
My interest in the Iron Brigade began years ago when I read Nolan's classic work on the subject. Herdegen gives Nolan ample credit and then does a masterful job of drawing from primary source material to reconstruct the battle and campaign largely in the words of the officers and men of the Iron Brigade.
This book was very hard to put down. By the time you are finished you feel to some extent that you have just shared in this famous unit's wartime and postwar experiences. Being from Wisconsin and realizing that four companies of the brigade were recruited in my hometown of Milwaukee made the reading extra special.
I enjoyed the book so much I ordered Hendegren's prequel, The Men Stood Like Iron-How the Iron Brigade Won it's Name.
July 5, 2013
Those Damned Black Hats! reads like almost like a historical fiction adventure, except all of the people and events are real. Herdegens narrative is fast-paced and filled with tales of courage, tragedy, and occasionally humor. The narrative is also broader than the books subtitle suggests, Herdegen covers the regiments of the brigade, and their members, from the beginning of the war through to the end, and into the veterans twilight years in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The story of Battery B, 4th US Artillery, which was attached to the Iron Brigade, is also covered.
The book is very well researched, relying on a wealth of primary sources, mostly diaries, letters, and memoirs of Iron Brigade members. There isn't the heavy reliance on other sources of also present people such as higher officers, units that served alongside the subjects, or opponents accounts, that sometimes happens with regimental/brigade histories. The one real flaw of the book, is that at times the chronology jumps back and forth, and can be slightly confusing.
The book is very well researched, relying on a wealth of primary sources, mostly diaries, letters, and memoirs of Iron Brigade members. There isn't the heavy reliance on other sources of also present people such as higher officers, units that served alongside the subjects, or opponents accounts, that sometimes happens with regimental/brigade histories. The one real flaw of the book, is that at times the chronology jumps back and forth, and can be slightly confusing.
August 19, 2014
The focus of this book is the terrific struggle by the Iron Brigade on the first day of the battle of Gettysburg. Well researched and a pleasure to read, the book takes the reader to a soldiers eye view of the campaign, the fighting and the sacrifices on that fateful day.
The 1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps was nicknamed the "Iron Brigade" for their steadfastness in battle and was the only all western brigade serving in the eastern campaigns. They were nicknamed the "Black Hats" by the Confederates since they wore distinctive tall black Hardee hats.
I became interested in the topic some time ago when reading Shelby Foote's "The Civil War", they were a well disciplined and professional unit which was completely wrecked on July 1st 1863. Losses for the five regiments at Gettysburg were 77, 48, 51, 72 and 80% respectively. The detail provided by the author sourced from unit histories, diaries and letters makes for fascinating reading. Recommended for Civil War military history buffs.
The 1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps was nicknamed the "Iron Brigade" for their steadfastness in battle and was the only all western brigade serving in the eastern campaigns. They were nicknamed the "Black Hats" by the Confederates since they wore distinctive tall black Hardee hats.
I became interested in the topic some time ago when reading Shelby Foote's "The Civil War", they were a well disciplined and professional unit which was completely wrecked on July 1st 1863. Losses for the five regiments at Gettysburg were 77, 48, 51, 72 and 80% respectively. The detail provided by the author sourced from unit histories, diaries and letters makes for fascinating reading. Recommended for Civil War military history buffs.
February 28, 2015
Compared to the other book I read about this legendary military unit (John Selby’s classic 1971 text edited by Osprey) this one is much more in-depth and close to the common soldier’s experience; it examines in minute detail (as through a magnifying glass) the lives, deaths, sufferings and struggles of those hardy Western frontiersmen (so often neglected and looked down by their Eastern AOP comrades) as they win everlasting glory (albeit at the terrible costs of near total annihilation) that hot and fateful summer day west of Gettysburg. So, don your Hardee hat, pick up your Lorenz Austrian rifle (or, if you so prefer, your 1861 Springfield) and march with the Irons!
December 26, 2008
This book provides many interesting anecdotes about the members of the Iron Brigade during the Gettysburg campaign. I'd heard several of these stories in battlewalks by rangers and licensed battlefield guides at Gettysburg, which I enjoyed reading in print form.
While the book was clearly well researched and document, typos in both the main text and the photograph captions detracted from the reading experience. The book provides more information on the Wisconsin and Michigan regiments in the Iron Brigade than on the 19th Indiana.
While the book was clearly well researched and document, typos in both the main text and the photograph captions detracted from the reading experience. The book provides more information on the Wisconsin and Michigan regiments in the Iron Brigade than on the 19th Indiana.
December 21, 2013
Well researched and easy to read, this is a nice piece if military history not dry as a bone. The last thing I wanted to do right now was read yet another Gettysburg book, but listening to the author interviewed on the Civil War Talk Radio podcast made me move this book to the top of the list. I wasn't sorry, in fact I wish I could read more history written this well.
August 22, 2015
Excellent book, very well researched and written. Many soldier's quotes taken from the original sources. I highly recommend this book for everyone, but especially those interested in the Iron Brigade, the War Between The States, and/or the Battle of Gettysburg.
December 14, 2015
One of the best accounts I've read about the Iron Brigade. My great-great-grandfather (Lafayette Haskins) was part of A Company of the 7th Wisconsin, and it was nice to get some more specifics, and in particular anecdotes, of his group. If you're a Civil War buff, this feels like a must-read.
April 2, 2013
Fantastic look at the Iron Brigade! A pleasure to read!
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