2nd Wisconsin Infantry of the Iron Brigade: Civil War Arms and Uniforms Series

[@Frank_nwobhm]

Tremendous work here. I'd never seen a recreated depiction of the 1861 militia uniform before. It was like the old photo from 162 years ago come to life.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Glad you enjoyed! We have more units covered. Thanks!!

[@GermanHockey]

It would be interesting to see the evolution of other "frontier units" like the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, starting off the war as volunteers with a mix of frontiersman clothing for their uniforms at Bull Run and being armed initially with flintlock conversions and mustering with Mississippi 1841 rifles (exchanged). They ended the Gettysburg campaign with a mix of 1855's, 1842's and 1861's. Very cool presentation of a Midwest unit. Their volunteer uniforms, like many other states were very odd, blue and red lumberjack work shirts with black trousers and mix of accoutrements and hats.

[@thatsthewayitgoes9]

Speaking of the grey uniforms; I held an original coat, with bullet hole. This wasn’t fake, wasn’t at a tourist trap, wasn’t a reproduction. It was about 1956. I was 7 years old. My grandma & grandpa took me to see one of their friends at their house on the North side of Capital drive about half way between Milwaukee and Pewaukee Wisconsin. I had been out East with my mom & dad visiting several Civil War battle fields in ‘55 or ‘56. These people we visited, had a grandfather who had been at Bull Run. Now we know it as the ‘first battle of Bull Run’. They wanted me to see their Grandfather’s coat he wore in that battle. He had been in the Wisconsin unit who had these grey uniforms. It was simply hanging in their closet. It was grey, it was VERY small! I remember holding it as they showed me the bullet hole. I can’t remember where on the coat the hole was but I’m pretty sure it was on the body , not arm or ? As a young boy, I was struck by fact there was no blood or stains. Obviously there would be. Likely it been washed more than once. I got the impression he had come home after the battle and still had the coat. It was grey, which horrified me because I knew the confederates were grey. You won’t believe this; but, it was so small, it would’ve probably fit ME at 7 or 8 years old. This video presentation is the first time I ever heard that grey uniforms were given some early Militia from Wisconsin. Seeing those photos of Wisconsin soldiers in those uniforms brought back seeing and holding that original uniform from their grandfather who had been wounded at Bull Run. There were buttons but I can’t remember anything else of ‘design’ or braid or anything other than very simple. And small! The bullet hole wasn’t big at all.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Very cool story. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@DanielPhipps-o2n]

I bought the book called, "Those Damned Black Hats"! by Lance J. Herdegen. I have yet to read it all but this movie was very cool. I love finding out more of the Iron Brig. I know the 19 Indiana was part of the Iron Brig. I am a Hoosier.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Enjoy reading that book! Both of us know, Lance. He is a true gentleman and a good historian. He tells an excellent story.

[@Beaguins]

That was a pretty special (and beat-up) regiment. According to a letter written by Col. Rufus Dawes on July 9, 1863 the 2nd Wisconsin couldn't muster even 50 men fit for duty. That was six days after Gettysburg.

[@Schlachtschule]

An excellent video, thank you. And congratulations on recognizing the Burton bullet and not falling into the common error of calling them "Minié" balls.

[@lanced3256]

As always an incredible post, a smashing success. You've done the Iron Brigade proud. Thank you for this amazing post. Badass soldiers indeed!!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Bad ass raggedy asses…

[@joannecarolyn5018]

Wow! Very enlightening! Thank you from Singapore 😊🇸🇬

[@danieljosiahcotton]

MY FAVORITE REGIMENT! Thank you guys for this, always a pleasure to watch

[@howeymusic4091]

Very well done! Especially enjoyed seeing my fellow 73 OVI Band musician, John Conners.

[@milwaukeejt]

The "Raggedy-Assed" uniforms were not the wool ones worn at Bull Run. The wool ones had been replaced by cottonade uniforms on July 5, 1861. These new gray uniforms had red stripes on the trouser seams, and red mountings on roundabout jackets. The material was the epitome of "shoddy", and wore out in a hurry.

[@darylmorning]

Correct. The wool uniform shown was correctly identified as the one with by the 2nd at Blackburn's Ford/First Bull Run, however the uniform that gave the 2nd it's unenviable nickname was the cottonade uniform that was so poor wearing that during the presidential inspection on the 23rd, just 18 days after issue, the story is that the 2nd was ordered to about face as Lincoln rounded the troops to prevent him from gaining a view of the prosterior of his troops as they were virtually see through.

[@longuecarbine]

I enjoyed this video. I recently learned that 4 members of my family and Great Great Grandfather O. Soule were in this regiment. Co. H and F. My GGGrandfather enlisted at 43 and his son a GG Uncle at 15. Both served starting in 1861 though my GG Uncle was discharged the same year. My GG Grandfather made it through Gettysburg later re-enlisted joining an Indiana regiment until the end of the war.

[@jonathangomez9548]

loved this episode and sub series I'm hoping for a wheats tiger battalion or any Texas unit when you get to cs units

[@LittleLouieLagazza]

+1, Wheat's Tigers, Hood's Texas brigade...pretty-please with sugar on top

[@BenFaffler]

Great video!! Im really exited Right now, as i have found out my great great great grandfather was a veteran on the union side!!!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Good for you! Personal connections to history are always a lot of fun. Glad you enjoyed!

[@piatpotatopeon8305]

I love the attention to detail and authenticity.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Glad you enjoy. Look for more in this idea later in 2022!

[@clockmonkey]

Three of my Uncles served in WW II and if you got them going could talk for hours about Uniforms, their own, those of other Regiments they'd seen or fought. Its the sort of thing you either find interesting or you don't, but from an early age it fascinated me.

[@BenTheThird]

This was amazing - thank you for making this video for us!

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We are thrilled you enjoyed!

[@BocageTiger]

Outstanding!

[@ImperatorRomulus]

"while resting on the roadside for coffee, the 1st corps came along with the "full moon" on its banners, and as the great Western or Iron Brigade passed, looking like giants with their tall black hats, they were greeted with hearty cheers by the Sharpshooters." p. 277 Berdans US SS in the AoP 1sr Lt. Charles A Stevens, Co G (WI)

[@77thNYSV]

Wow, this was an awesome way to examine both the arms and equipment of the 2nd WI and the unit's history. Bravo!

[@CaptainChip501]

The Two Companies were G (A Co) and H (B Co). You had a Total of 77 Officers and Men left that served a long time with the Iron Brigade. The reason I know this is because I go through these rosters and try to see if I can recreat their exact numbers with minitures. I even copy down the rosters and by this point it has become an addiction.

[@frederickacerra7766]

I am so glad to have found your channel . I love history especially the war for Independence and the Civil War . I live in Jersey close to where some major battles of the Revolutionary war were fought . I was also in a NSSA for a few years . We disbanded it was a blast although no matter how much i shot i never could hit anything

[@SlickSixguns]

Very cool

[@gezakurcsics6943]

Nice Job!!!

[@e-4airman124]

really great show

[@mch12311969]

This is another useful video for me, thank you.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Glad we could help!

[@jimscheidel5573]

Great Presentation. I have always been interested in how uniforms, weapons and accoutrements changed over the life of regiments.

[@andrewroscoe4318]

Thanks Jim!

[@69grayboy]

Love the content. Keep up the great work!!¡¡

[@forwheelinallday]

Excellent video. I wish you could do one on the 52nd Illinois also known as Lincoln's Rangers. This was the regiment 2 of my ancestors were in.

[@日記日誌]

Uniforms from the Civil War are elegant　That's why it's so cool

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Thank you!!!

[@libeloussmith7656]

"I'm looking for those scoundrels who put those damned white gaiters on my horse!" ~John Gibbon

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Absolutely!

[@libeloussmith7656]

Read Gibbon didn't attend any Iron Brigade Reunions til after he retired. Then showed up by surprise at one and told the doorkeppers something along the line of the quote. Would have been something to see.

[@stanislavberan13]

Great video as always. The only pity is that the development of the drill used by the regiment is not mentioned, as it clearly shows some difference (at least on the shoulder arms position) between the years 61 to 63 and 64.

[@coreystockdale6287]

You have earn a subscriber with this wonderful presentation, I also will be sharing this with the war of rights gaming community if permission to do so is granted.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We are thrilled to have you subscribe and welcome any shares to help. Continue to push forward to a connection to history. Enjoy your gaming!

[@josephgonzales4802]

Great video, l recommend reading the book Ten Years in the Ranks, U.S. Army by Augustus Meyers. He was a U.S. Army Regular prior and during the war. He gives a good account on the issue of the trousers and the Uniforms in general. 😌

[@thomasbaagaard]

I really like his book. He also have a very good part about picking up weapons after a fight in 1864.- How that was done and how many weapons was loaded with more than one round...

[@josephgonzales4802]

@@thomasbaagaard I agree, I've been doing research on US Army Regulars during the Civil War. There very little material about them out there. I only have four books about them including the one I mentioned. It is the only book written by a veteran that I've read. I wish I could find more. I also do a impression of a U.S. Army 16th Regular infantry soldier. 🇺🇸

[@elitn6160]

I love these style of videos!! Would love maybe a regiment south of the mason Dixon 😂 either love the channel

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Two from south of the line are already in development!

[@CaptainChip501]

The regiment I portray, 139th PVI Regiment, Co. F, was actually one of the few regiments in the army to still have their Frock Coats.

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

Who hoo!!! Number 2!

[@rc59191]

Our Militia unit still wears grey for our dress uniform that shacko is really cool too bad they went out of style.

[@stanleyspurgeon5339]

What’s interesting is being a Wisconsin unit, most of the men were volunteers from out west,very few Wisconsin people in this unit When I tell people this they get irritated but it’s the truth

[@rcspaintserviceandgaming]

How many Iron Brigades were there? Michigan had one too I think.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

The 24th Michigan was part of this Iron Brigade.

[@stevenpiper970]

I'm an hour away from viewing the 24th Michigan's battle flag, I'm sure they were turned out similarly?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Weapons were different at different points. 24th was .58 Springfields from the jump. Enjoy!! It’s moving to see that flag.

[@nikfred4]

Weren’t a great number of Austrian Lorenz rifles converted to .58 caliber by the North?, making them compatible with the supply chain?

[@andrewwash8005]

I am partial to the 19th Indiana.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

And we are partial to the 24th Michigan story. However, the goal of arms in uniforms is to look at the evolution of a regiment and we pick examples that show that well and can be illustrated, rather than our favorites.

[@andrewwash8005]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest Just stating my partiality.

[@stevenpiper970]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest Yes the 24th vs. 26th is one heck of a story.

[@sgtNUKEtroop]

I see infantry Hardee hats in museums with either side pinned up , authentic ?

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Depends if enlisted or officer. Officer pins up the right side. Enlisted the left.

[@sgtNUKEtroop]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest got it , thanks , Mike

[@Sgtklark]

I have a question: the solider modeling the Enfield era has a unblued rifle. I have a repro rifle in deep blue. In the movie Glory it shows them being issued blued Enfields. Were the Enfields blue or raw metal?

[@thomasbaagaard]

in the movie they are using new replica enfields... With (modern) serial numbers on it. Something the originals don't have.

[@andrewroscoe4318]

Enfields could come either blued or in armory bright. Generally, those issued to the US soldiers were in armory bright, as shown here. However, their is some discussion about where the 2nd got their Enfields. There is circumstantial evidence that they would have been battlefield pick ups after Gettysburg from fallen CS soldiers. If so, at least some of them would have had bluing. The rule is not universal however. Some US Enfields had bluing, and some CS Enfields were in armory bright. Also, many CS Enfields were battlefield captures from US soldiers.

[@ShootFirstSev]

Question: would that bit about the dark blue trousers apply to other Iron Brigade units? In particular the 24th Michigan.

[@rjsamp4194]

24th MI came East with sky blue trowsers.

[@andrewroscoe4318]

Nick, RJ is correct. The 24th Michigan was issued light blue trousers, sack coats, and forage caps when then mustered it. They had some frock coats as well, but photos are pretty evenly split. They did not even receive their Hardee hats until June, 1863 due to shortages in the supply system. With the ramp up in production for the war, items could be scarce or regionally available, especially in 1862 and early 1863.

[@markcharbonneau7529]

Not that the commanders didn't want the 24th to look like other regiments of the Iron brigade but economics played an important part in informing the regiment fatigue caps and light blue trousers were more readily available. We're fighting a war here

[@markcharbonneau7529]

Should be uniforming

[@ShootFirstSev]

@@andrewroscoe4318 Really? So they didn;t even have the "black hats" until 1863? Does that mean they would have had just the regulation forage caps like everyone else?

[@CaptainChip501]

I hate to be one of those people and I understand that this song goes well for this intro but... Garryowen is IRISH!