Best Brigade of the War

[william1993]

With the poll, tell which one and why.

I'll start: I think either the Texas Brigade because of what they did on the 2nd day of gettysburg, or the Missouri Brigade, because of how they captured Battery Robinett at Corinth.

** If I may have left any brigades out, feel free to add them.

[Drummerboy]

It's hard to really pick just one. They were all very good soldiers, and a credit to the side they fought for. You need to add one that says, all of the above.

[Little Powell]

I would also add the Irish Brigade and The Louisiana Tigers. I agree with Drummerboy though. It's impossible to pick the best brigade of the war, they were all great. The Texas Brigade; took part in what I believe the most remarkable infantry assault of the war (Confederate attack around Devils Den/Wheatfield on Day 2 of Gettysburg). Also The Iron Brigade; some seriously tough dudes.. They suffered the most casualties out of any brigade of the Civil War.

But if someone held a gun to my head, I would go with The Stonewall Brigade. Those guys probably saw the most action out of any brigade in the war, most notably the amazing things they did during Jackson's Valley campaign. They started the war with roughly 2,600 troops, ended the war when they were disbanded at Spotsylvania with around 200 men.

[NCDefendersD]

I would argue Lane's North Carolina brigade of the Light Division. They saw action from the very onset of the war- from North Carolina to Appomattox. They had a stellar record in combat. Helping reinforce the Railroad at Second Manassas, helping to stave off disaster at Sharpsburg, holding off the PA Reserves at Fredericksburg, the last to leave the field during the Pickett, Pettigrew, Trimble Charge, Flanking the 9th corps at Spotsylvania and holding out at Petersburg. And many other examples. These men, I feel, are often overlooked in comparison to the more famous brigades listed above. While I respect and admire all the fighting men of the war, these men of the Light Division showed uncommon courage time and again. But if I was forced to choose one of the above- I would argue for Hood's Texas Brigade. These men also have many examples of valor and courage- and as the only example of Texans in Lee's army, they have a fantastic record.

[Little Powell]

Good point NCDefendersD.. Any brigade in Little Powell's Light Division were some bada$$ dudes.

For this discussion, if greatness is being measured by bravery, there are many cases of this throughout the war. But the bravest action in my opinion was the Union assault on Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg by the Irish Brigade, and many others.. I have been there and it's hard to imagine how anyone could even think about attacking such a strong position up a steep hill, the enemy behind a stone wall, artillery on the heights behind.

I could talk about this stuff all day...

[CoB4thTEXAS]

Its always a close thing when asked to pick either the "Black Hat" fellows
or the Texans. i had lots of kin who fought with the 6th and 7th Wis.

[cobytreadway]

Of the bunch that are listed here in the poll, I think I would have to select the "Stonewall" Brigade. However, with that said, I think one of the most underated brigades in the entire war is Gregg's/McGowan's South Carolina brigade.

Coby

[Hancock the Superb]

A very hard question.

I think a few to be included are: Jenkin's SC Brigade with the Palmetto Sharpshooters, Gregg's / McGowan's SC Brigade, Taylor's Louisiana Tigers (which Jackson prefered over his Stonewall Brigade in the valley), dozens of others.