Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-09-21
IRON BRIGADE HEROES.
Surviving Members of Bragg's Fam
Gus Command Gather at
Devils Lake.

Devils Lake, Wis, Sept. 16.-[Spe-
rial For the first time in many years
the surviving heroes of WiscOnsin's ia
NOUS Iron brigade have gotten together
for the purpose Of clasping hands and re-
hcarsing "reminiscences Of Antietam
Appropriately enough this is the ami
vcrsary of the bloodiest battle of the
war, and on the banks of the most beau
tiful of Wisconsin's lakes a handful OF
the 1000 that survived of the original
5000 are fraternizing, many probably for
the last time. Gen. e. $. Bragg, the old
commander, is here, and SO is Gov. Up
ham, who was left on the field for dead
and bu!Ietined as killed in battle. 9th
.ers of the party are Congressman Jenk-
ms, Gen. Thomas S. Allen, Gen. Rufus
r. Dawes of Marietta, O.. Col. W. w.
Robinson, in command Of the brigade
for some time; ex-Congressman Harrles
of st. Paul, NJ. r. Baldwin of Duluth,
Gilbert n. Woodward of La Crosse, Col
j A Watrous and Col. ID. X. Noyes.
After the bugle had been sounded and
the muster roll had been called, Col.
Watrous read the call for the reunion
that had been issued by Gen. Bragg, and
which ran in this inspiring strain:
Gen. BraggS CaH.
Men of the Iron brigade, our next re-
union will be held on the shores of Devils
Iake-Antietam time. Rally! Rally on the
colors! Rally as you did at Antietam thirty
four years ago. Raly from Wisconsin, naarv
every state in the Union and come pre-
pared for an old-fashioned family meeting
Let us touch elbows again. Let us look
into each others faces; let us hear each
others voices; let talk over and i've
over the old days once more. Fan In ana
answer to roll call Allow me to give Eve t ms
brigade in battle and give me the great
pleasure Of seeing you obey it as you used
TO obey when we were younger.
There was no set programme for today.
Some Of the members caught fish, others
did the cooking, more sang songs and
told stories. Tonight there will be big
campfire at which each of the participants
will give his "reminiscences of Antietam.
While on his way here yesterday, Gen.
Bragg met with an annoying but not ser1-
Gus accident. He had to change cars at
Jefferson Junction and there was a de-
lay Of an hour or more. While strolllng
mp and down the platform with some
friends he got SO warmed up IN orator.
cally humping the free silverites that
he stumbled over crate of peaches and
rot a bad fall. He was uninJured save
for bump on the forehead, which gave
him as black an eve as he ever had in
his happy bOyhood days. The time
hOnOred beefsteak treatment was used
and the general was quite presentable
today.
The Iron Brigade's Strength.
The famous Iron brigade consisted Of
the Second, Sixth and Seventh regiments
of Wisconsin Volunteer infantry, the
Nineteenth Indiana and Twenty-fourth
Michigan regiments, and Battery e of
the Fourth Regular artillery. 1t had
the distinction Of sustaining the heaviest
percentage Of loss of any brigade in the
entire army. OF the 1853 men on the
roll, 1151 were either killed outright
or died of wounds. while 612 died dur
ing the war from diseases and other
causes Less than 1000 of the original
members now survive.
perfect September day dawned in the
Iron brigade reunion at Devils lake.
Gen. Bragg spoke for half an hour and
wildly described the battle of Antietam,
in which the Iron brigade figured SO con-
spicuousIy thirty-four years ago today.
Capt. j. d Wood of ST. Paul, who
was acknowledgement of the brigade
longer than any other man, met with
the boys for the first time and broke
down in tears. Visitors and veterans
alike wept as he tenderly talked of for
mcr scenes. DR. Eaton of Madison also
spoke.
The afternoon was spent in Baraboo
i'll carriage riding and reception by the
w r. @. The following officers were
elected: J. A. Watrous, Milwaukee, sec
1etary; Capt. Otto Schorse, Milwaukee,
treasurer; Capt DR.. S. w. Eaton, Ros-
coe. H., captain. The brigade will meet
at La Crosse next year.