The National tribune., 1899-09-14
PICKET SHOTS
From Alert Comrades Along the Whole
Line.
THE IRON BRIGADE.

THE IRON BRIGADE.
Jesse E. Jones, Sergeant, Co B, 10Th
Ind, Glenkarn, o., referring to an article
from Henry F. Thayer. 3Oth N. Y, claim
ing that the title Iron Brigade" belongs to
the First Brigade, First Division, First
Corps, composed OF the Both, 22d, oath Y. Y,
| 18th Brooklyn and Berdan SharDShooters,
says: "The Colonel of the Both N Y. may
have given the brigade this title when it
made the march from Fredericksburg
which, by the way. was not in February,
for the army did not move until March,-but
it seems very singular that we of the same
division and corps never heard of the title
Iron Brigade until long after we were
mustered out. Our claim that the title
Justly belongs to the brigade composed of
the 18th Ind. 9Th, 7th and I'd Wis. and 24th
Mich, with Battery B, 4th U. S. Art, does
not rest upon our ability to perform wonder
ful leg-work and have a Colonel christen
us The Iron Brigade but the title was
applied to us while we were in the seething
cauldron of battle, by Gen: Geo. B. Nc
quiring. what troops were pressing the
enemy back up the turnpike into Thomas
Gap, he was told that it was Gibbons Bri-
gade OF Western men, when he remarked:
They must be men of iron.' This is the
origin of the Iron Brigade as applied to the
above named regiments of Western troops,
and they have never entertained the idea
that they were robbing comrades, but are,
and always have been, proud of the appella-
ton, as it came to them under such circum-
stances and from the lips of so eminent a
commander. We do not disparage the gal
liant services of any troops who did their
duty in that awful war. In the language
Of gallant naval officer. There is glory
enough Tor all of u.s. if there is any true
glory in war. Comrades, i'll Il language
of Grant, Let us have peace"
Mr.. Henry Sanford, Secretary, Iron
Brigade Association, Madison, Wis, says:
IF Comrade Thayer will examine the
official records he will find that the follow
ing regiments composed the First Brigade,
First Division, First Corps; viz, The I'd, 9Th
and 9TH Wis, 10th Ind. and oath Mich.
This brigade also made the march from
Catlett's Station to Fredericksburg, ard
kept pretty snug up to Fitzpatrick S cavalry.
1t gained its name by fighting, and not by
marching. The fellows on the other side
knew what regiments composed the real
Iron Brigade All official records recog-
niZe this organization as the genuine"
A CRITICAL PERIOD.
WE. Westfall, Cos. C and A, 10th ". Va,
w. Va, in September, 1868, between the
2Sth Ohio, 10th ". Va, and one section of
Battery l., 1st U. S. Art, all under Col:
Moore, of the Ohio regiment, and Gen. W.
l.. JackSon'S 2,5G0 or 5000 men. The |
Johnnies opened fire on the Union boys
hundred miles. They rallied, however, |
and then, although they fought viciously, |
the rebs proved too much for them, as they |
had but 1,5O0 men, and the Union troops |
retired to their Notifications north of the |
town. Capt. Kendall, sent out to recon-
noiter, was ambuscaded and lost half of Co |
f. of the 10th, and then a retreat was COM
menced. Tney We're about TO burn their
stores in Il large church in the
north part of the town after the column had
passed, when it was found that the rebels
had them surrounded, and they did not
burn the stores. Lieut.. MaXson. Wesley
Riddle. and Henry Cumrine. OF the 10th,
as volun .eers, foated down the river close
past the rebel picketS, and reaching a sta
ton on the B. & o., 40 miles away, tele-
graphed for reinforcements. which came
next afternoon i'll the shape Of the 1st I'd,
81 and 4th W. Va. Cav, 4th Pa. Cav and
two or three other cavalry regiments. These
cut their way through, and the day after
the whole force pounced on JackSon's men
ana rushed them out OF that neighborhood
with severe losses, including several brass