In co-operation with our pards in the Sally Port Mess, the Saginaw City Light Infantry is thrilled to host a company of the Iron Brigade Association's Living History at the Antietam National Battlefield to be held October 23-24, 2010. This page will help members of the company prepare for the event. This page is new on June 20th. Expect it to grow quickly! Eventually, you will find:
Recommended Reading
Registration Form - must be filled out individually by each member and returned
Uniform Standards
Schedule for the event -*Coming soon
Ration information - rations for this company will be issued and there will be a fee for that *Coming soon!
For now, if you have questions or are interested in joining us, please contact either Will Eichler or Jeremy Bevard
Also, check out our Facebook Group for Company I at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113915425321746
Recommended Reading
Report of Lt. Colonel Bragg of the actions of the 6th Wisconsin at Antietam:
GIBBON'S BRIG., HDQRS. SIXTH REGT. WISCONSIN VOLS.,
In the Field, September 21, 1862.
Captain J. P. WOOD,
Assistant Adjutant General,
Gibbon's Brigade.
SIR: In compliance with circular from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report that, early on the morning of the 17th, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, under my command, supported by the brigade, commenced the attack upon the enemy's left flank. No sooner was the column in motion then the enemy opened fire on us with artillery, and so accurate was his range that the second shell exploded in the ranks, disabling 13 men, including Captain Noyes, Company A. Notwithstanding this shock, the column moved steadily forward until it reached the wood, when, by direction of General Gibbon, Company I was deployed to the left and Company C to the right in front of the line as skirmishers, and the regiment immediately deployed and advanced to their support. The skirmishers soon found the enemy lodged in a corn-field and his advance concealed along fences and under cover, but rapidly drove in his advance, and the regiment moved up steadily in support, the right and center on and to the right of the Hagerstown turnpike, and the left across a corn-field. While advancing into the corn-field, Captain Edwin A. Brown, Company E, a good officer and a genial gentleman, fell, killed instantly by a musket ball.
The portion of the line in the corn-field was under the immediate command of Major Rufus R. Dawes, who discharged his duty in watching and guiding its movements with signal courage and ability. This portion of the line was soon under heavy fire, and drove the enemy from his cover.
The advance of the right wing did not discover the enemy until it reached a rise of ground in front of the barn and stacks to the right of the road, when the enemy's skirmishers lying along the edge of a wood running down in a point to the right of the barn, where they were lying undisturbed - the right of my line of skirmishers having failed to advance, either from a failure to hear or heed commands. [Sic.]
At this moment a piece of artillery which had been stationed in front of my left changed its position and passed into the road in my front. I immediately ordered the company in the road to advance to the summit of a ridge of ground a few rods in front and open fire upon the horses attached to the piece, with a view of disabling and capturing it; and at the same time I ordered Companies G and K, on the right, to advance and occupy a basin between two ridges, and a few yards nearer the enemy. So soon as this was attempted I discovered the enemy in force, lying in line of battle along the fence and across the field to the wood, at right angles with the road, his line being then within musket range. At the same time he increased his fire from the woods on the right flank. This rendered the advance impracticable, and I ordered the company in the road to lie down under cover of the fence. No sooner had I given this order, and while it was being executed, than I received a slight but painful wound in the left arm, but still was able to direct the right companies, G and K, to draw back their line under cover of the fence and fronting the road, which was being executed when faintness compelled me to go to the rear, and I was unable to rejoin my regiment until it had been relieved.
At the request of Major Dawes, who was in command during my absence, I have the honor to report that the regiment conducted itself during the fight so as to fully sustain its previous reputation; that it did not abandon its colors on the field; that every color-bearer and every member of the guard was disabled and compelled to leave; that the State color fell into other keeping, temporarily, in rear of the regiment, because its bearer had fallen; but it was immediately reclaimed, and under its folds, few but undaunted, the regiment rallied to the support of the battery. The color lance of the National color is pierced with five balls, and both colors bear multitudes of testimony that they were in the thickest of the fight.
The regiment remained in the front of the fight until they had expended nearly their last round of ammunition. The enemy broke and ran before their advance, leaving his dead and wounded in large numbers on the field, and the regiment pursued, and only retired again in the presence of a host that it would have been madness to have opposed with a handful of men, brave though they were and fearless.
In this advance two stand of colors were captured and sent to the rear in charge of a wounded soldier, and have become lost or fallen into the possession of some one desirous of military éclat without incurring personal danger, so that they cannot be reclaimed by the captors.
Here Captain Bachelle, Company F, fell, leading his men in the pursuit. He was a true soldier, a gallant officer, and a faithful man. He never shrank from danger nor flinched from any duty. He fell as he desired, with his harness on, cheering his men to victory. His body rests underneath the sod he lost his life to win.
The loss of the regiment in the engagement was as follows: Commissioned officers, 3 killed, 5 wounded; enlisted men, 23 killed, 121 wounded; aggregate, 152.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWD. S. BRAGG,
Lieutenant-Colonel,
Commanding Sixth Wisconsin.
Source: OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, Vol 19, Part 1 (Antietam - Serial 27) , Pages 253 - 256
Read here about a member of Company I who will go on to win the Medal of Honor for his actions at Gettysburg:
http://thismightyscourge.com/2009/05/27/francis-a-waller-corporal-6th-wisconsin/
Uniform Standards
These guidelines were created using images of 6th Wisconsin men taken between April and September 1862. Written primary and secondary resources were also used.
Shoes: Issue Jefferson Bootees
Headgear: Only 1858 Dress Hats. Ornamentation includes brass infantry bugle with 6 in center and I above. Sky blue hat cords in minimal numbers. No other ornamentation.
Coat: 1. Frock Coat 2. Fatigue Blouse
Trousers: 1. Sky blue kersey issue trousers are primary. 2. Dark blue trousers in limited numbers only.
Shirt: 1. Issue Shirt preferred 2. Civilian Shirt accepted
Drawers: 1. Issue pattern drawers 2. Civilian patterns
Suspenders: Suspenders or belt. Either must be period pattern, material and construction.
Socks: Wool and/or cotton socks of period pattern, material and construction.
Waist Belt: Pattern of 1856 Waist Belt with leather loop keeper preferred. Late war belt with brass keeper discouraged but accepted.
Cartridge box: Appropriate for 1861 or 55 Springfield. Included cartridge box belt (sling) and required plates.
Cap box
Scabbard: Two rivet pattern Bayonet Scabbard
Canteen: Pattern of 1858 Smoothside Canteen with leather sling.
Haversack: Pattern of 1851 Haversack
Mess Furniture: No stainless steel or cast iron
Weapon: Model of 1861 or 1855 Springfield Rifle with corresponding bayonet.
Rain Gear: Rubber or Gum Blanket
Blanket: U.S. Issue Wool Blanket
Shelter: Issue Shelter Half. Each man will have one half with two sharing a tent. No endflaps.
Knapsack: 1. 1855 Doublebag Knapsack 2. Bedroll
Gaiters: If you chose to wear gaiters they must be authentic pattern, construction and material, no buckles. Few places sell correct gaiters. One place that does is Sekela.
No modern items except for car keys, medications in a period container, and contact lens if vision correction is necessary.
* Per Eric Mink's transcription of the 4th quarter 1862 Ordnance returns for the 6th Wisconsin, Company I was armed with:
29 Springfield Rifled Muskets, model 1855, 1861, N.A. and contract. Calibre .58