"For God's Sake, Forward" by Don Troiani
"For God's Sake, Forward" by Don Troiani
Welcome to the street of Company H, Second Wisconsin, The Randall Guards.
The company was reformed at the end of 1997 by a handful of people who
wanted just a little more out of the reenacting hobby. The members had always
had an interest in the Iron Brigade and by coincidence the 2d Wisconsin was
chosen to be the focus of the unit. It was found later that a member actually
had a family relation serve in the regiment.
It was decided to depict a regiment on the march or in the middle of a campaign.
It was also decided that the company should portray 1862 when the Iron Brigade
earned its' sobriquet and showed the Union Army how to fight (Not to mention the
gaiters look really cool with the dark blue trousers!). Because of this choice
Company H has a distinct look out in California. Most units that we work with
have large amounts of tentage and gear, we subscribe to the minimalist theory,
less is better. This is not only economically sound, but gives us the "Raggedy
Assed" look that we so admire.
Our unit has earned the reputation as "hardcore" by those who would sleep on
cots and wear pretty, clean uniforms. We on the other hand do not believe that
we are "hardcore", the unit has no "stitch counters" and makes no demands on an
individual above their desires and abilities.
We continually are trying to improve our impression and
are currently working very hard at perfecting our drill. We eat pretty well at
events and have been known to raid an occasional brewery (reference to Voigt's
Brewery in Madison, June 1861 - If This Is War, Gaff, Alan. Morningside 1991).
We encourage research and strive for authenticity. We realize that we don't
write the book, we only read it, and since we were not there in 1862 our
knowledge can only be enlightened.
Another interesting aspect of Company H, is its love of travel. We have sister
units in Washington (7th Wis.), Oregon (19th Ind.), Northern California (24th
Mich.) and Southern California (6th Wis.). We are trying to set up schedules to
visit these units on a regular basis to bring the Iron Brigade to life on the
West Coast. Also, we work as closely as possible with our Regiment in Wisconsin
and travel to National and Regional events with them, such as Wisconsin's
Sesquicentennial Celebration at Camp Randall and Gettysburg in 1998.
If any of this appeals to you drop us a line and we will be sure to invite you
out for a weekend.
"they gave a
glamour and a display
both fearful and entrancing"
E.E. Stickley,
Stonewall Jackson Brigade
Join the Iron Brigade! Here's
your opportunity to join a
Company of the Second Wisconsin.
You will be joining a Regiment
with Companies on the East and West Coasts
Plus 5 Companies in Wisconsin
Join a
REGIMENT
7 Companies and Battery B of the 4th US
Here is the link to the parent unit Regimental HQ 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
No more
famous unit fought at Gettysburg than the Iron Brigade of the Army of the
Potomac.
Lost and
forgotten, however, has been the role of the "Iron Brigade Guard -- a detail of
picked men from each of the regiments -- which fought as a separate organization
in the epic battle.
The Iron
Brigade Guard of the Gettysburg campaign was organized on June 22, 1863, as the
1st Brigade of the 1st Division of the I Corps marched northward to
Pennsylvania. While on the march, the commander, Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith of
the 19th Indiana, ordered formation of a "Brigade Guard" composed of detachments
from the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan.
The
brigade order No. 24 issued "near Guilford
Station, Va.," also called for the guard to include one sergeant and one
corporal from each of the regiments as well as three officers -- one captain, a
1st lieutenant and a 2nd lieutenant. At first, the privates from each regiment
varied, ranging from 15 from the 6th Wisconsin to 30 from the 2nd Wisconsin, but
that was later changed to 20 men from each unit.
On the
morning of July 1, 1863, as the Iron Brigade double-quicked into the battle of
Gettysburg, the Brigade Guard was at the rear of the column. It numbered 100 men
under the command of 1st Lt. Loyd G. Harris of the 6th Wisconsin, and 2nd Lt.
Levi Showalter of the 2nd Wisconsin. When the 6th Wisconsin was halted as a
reserve, Harris ran forward to Lt. Col. Rufus Dawes for instructions. He was
told to divide the reserve into two 50-man companies and place one on each flank
of the regiment.
When the
6th Wisconsin advanced for the celebrated charge on the unfinished railroad cut,
the Iron Brigade Guard was on the flanks of the advancing regiment. The
successful attack had far-reaching consequences. It not only restored the Union
right, but played a significant role in setting the stage for the ultimate Union
victory at Gettysburg.
In the
lull following the fighting, Dawes released the soldiers of the Iron Brigade
Guard to return to their own regiments. As both officers of the Guard -- Harris
and Showalter -- were wounded, no report of the unit's role was made or the
number of killed and wounded determined. It is estimated the casualties in the
Iron Brigade Guard were about 30.
More than
22 years after Gettysburg, Harris wrote of the Iron Brigade Guard and his
account was published in The Milwaukee Sunday Telegraph, a weekly newspaper
which followed the news of soldier reunions and campfires.
Using his middle name "Grayson," Harris wrote of Gettysburg: "The brigade guard
on the right and left never faltered, but held their own with the veterans of
the 6th. On the right, Lieut. Showalter was wounded. On the left the fire was
the worst I ever experienced, yet not a man failed to move promptly forward and
closed in to the right as the men fell before the railroad cut. I had men of the
Second, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan, and I can
to-day give my solemn oath that there was no difference in the fighting
qualities of those men; every man was a hero, and in my heart it made me feel
not less pride in my regiment, but increased the esprit de corps of the "Iron
Brigade'."
The above information can be found on Carroll College site.
In the reenactment community, the Iron Brigade Guard
has been brought back and is a member of the
American Civil War Association.
The Iron Brigade Guard is made up of members of each of
the five represented regiments of the Iron Brigade. Two main bodies presently
make up this unit, the
