Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-09-23
IRON BRIGADE HEROES.
Surviving Members of Bragg's Fam
Gus Command Gather at
Devils Lake.

Devils Lake, Wis, Sept. 16.-[Spe-
cial. l-For the first time in many years
the surviving heroes of Wisconsin's ia
mous Iron brigade have gotten together
for the purpose Of clasping hands and re-
hearsing "reminiscences of Antletam.
Appropriately enough this is the ami
versary of the bloodiest battle of the
war, and on the banks of the most beau
tiful of Wisconsins lakes a handful of
the 1000 that survived of the original
5000 are fraternizing, many probably for
the last time Gen. e. S. Bragg, the old
commander, is here, and so is Gov. Up
ham, who was left on the field for dead
and buLetined as killed in battle. 9th
ers of the party al, Congressman Jenk-
ms, Gen. Thomas S. Allen, Gen. Rufus
z. 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. D. x. Moves.
After the bugle had been sounded and
Watrous read the call for the reunion
that had been issued by Gen. Bragg, and
which ran in this inspiring strain:
Gen. Bragg's Call.
Men of the Iron brigade, our next re
union will be held on the shores of Devil
coIors! Rally as you did at Antetam thirty
four years ago. Rally from Wisconsin, In
diana and Michigan. Rally from nearly
pared for an old-fashioned family meeting
| Let us touch elbows again. Let US look
into each others faces; let us hear each
over the old days once more. Fall in and
answer to roll call. Allow me to give TINS
! order as l gave it when commanding the
| 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 a 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 serl-
Gus accident He had to change cars at
] Jefferson Junction and there was de-
| lay of an hour or more. While strolllng
Zip and down the platform with some
friends he got so warmed up in oratori-
cally humping the free silverites that
| lie stumbled over a crate of peaches and
got a bad fall He was uninjured save
for bump on the forehead, which gave
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 B 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 1859 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.
| Baraboo, Wis, Sept. 17.-[Special.l IA
| 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-
! spicuOusly 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
mer scenes. DR.. Eaton of Madison also
spoke.
The afternoon was spent in Baraboo
in carriage riding and Il reception by the
w. Z. G. The following officers were
elected: j. A Watrous, Milwaukee. sec
Ietary; Capt. Otto Schorse, Milwaukee,
treasurer; Capt Dr. S. W. Eaton, Ros-
coe. H.. captain. The brigade will meet
! 81 La Crosse next year.