Favorite Brigades

[O. O. Howard]

Over on the TC2M forums we have talked about favorite divisions. What is your favorite brigade (that was present at Gettysburg) and why?

Mine would be the Philadelphia Brigade (69th, 71st, 72nd and 106th Pennsylvania). They were 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps. My reasons are 1.) because I am originally from the Philadelphia area, 2.) I did a lot of research on them and 3.) They are kind of interesting because they had a colorful start (the "California" Brigade that had some zouaves) but ended up being a somewhat of a hard-luck brigade with some good solid experience, but some questionable experiences as well.

My favorite regiment of the brigade, the 72nd, is a bit controversial at Gettysburg because it initially (apparently) refused Brigadier General Webb's order to counter-charge against Armistead's men who had crossed the stone wall into the angle. The circumstances around this, and whether or not they actually charged at all while the fight was still going on, was a post-war controversy, especially when they wanted to erect their famous monument at the stone wall. (Their first monument is up the ridge from the wall where they did most of their fighting on the 3rd.) It is most likely that fire from the 72nd mortally wounded Armistead.

O.O. Howard commanded the Philadelphia Brigade at Antietam and commanded the Division at Fredericksburg. I am a big fan of 2nd Division 2nd Corps, but during MP matches I will leave the 2d Corps to Hancock the Superb or other 2nd Corps enthusiasts.

b]So... what's your favorite brigade and why?[[/b]

[Armchair General]

The Irish Brigade; just for everything they did, how they did, and what they sacrificed.

[Hancock the Superb]

but during MP matches I will leave the 2d Corps to Hancock the Superb or other 2nd Corps enthusiasts.

You don't have to be so kind.

My favorite is, oddly, the Texas Brigade (even though I'm a Union at heart).

[O. O. Howard]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

but during MP matches I will leave the 2d Corps to Hancock the Superb or other 2nd Corps enthusiasts.

You don't have to be so kind.

No problem. With a name like that, you deserve it!

[Kerflumoxed]

Favorite Brigade = Stonewall Brigade!

Setting aside their successful record, it is my favorite because there were several members of my family who served:


Pvt. Daniel Hanger, Co. A, 5th VA
Corp. David C. Hanger, Co. D, 5th VA
Pvt. David O. Hanger, Co. A, 5th VA
Pvt. Enos H. Hanger, Co. D/E, 5th VA
Pvt. George Hanger, Co. M, 5th VA
Pvt. J. H. (Jacob) Hanger, Co. D, 5th VA
Pvt. John M. Hanger, Co. F, 5th VA
Pvt. Michael R. Hanger, Co. B/C, Hospital Steward, 5th VA.
Sgt. William D. Hanger, Co. F, 5th VA
Pvt. William H. Hanger, Co. E. 5th VA

1/Sgt. Zenas Freeman Hanger, Co. F/G, 27th VA
Pvt. George S. Hanger, Co. G, 27th VA
Pvt. Junius R. Hanger, Co. H, 27th VA

These folks are all direct or indirect ancestors who served in the Stonewall Brigade. (According to the genealogists who have researched the Hanger family, these folks are all descendentas of two brothers who came from Germany in the 1750s...and all Hangers in the nation are related because of these two!)

Also, one-time commander of the SWB was Colonel William Smith Hanger Baylor who was KIA at 2nd Manassas (His mother was a Hanger cousin).

Now, if you want to select cav, would have to be the 1st VA. Cav. which also contained many lateral ancestors. They fought at GB with 310 men on their roster and lost 8% KIA/WIA/MIA.

Sorry to be so-long winded!

J :woohoo:

[IronBMike]

The Iron Brigade, of course. I´m from Wisconsin so that is natural. My usernames have always been either IronBrigadeMike, IronBMike, IBM, IronMike, or something to that effect ever since I played SMG back in 1997 (except for at MMG, where I am Plimpton).

[O. O. Howard]

IronBMike wrote:

The Iron Brigade, of course. I´m from Wisconsin so that is natural. My usernames have always been either IronBrigadeMike, IronBMike, IBM, IronMike, or something to that effect ever since I played SMG back in 1997 (except for at MMG, where I am Plimpton).

Oh.... so you are Plimpton... I should have made the connection with that Iron Brigade badge you use there.

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

I have three favorite brigades.

1.) 1st Brigade "Iron Brigade", 1st Division, I Corps, Army of the Potomac
Brig.Gen. Solomon Meredith
19th Indiana - Col. Samuel J. Williams
24th Michigan - Col. Henry A. Morrow
2nd Wisconsin - Col. Lucius Fairchild
6th Wisconsin - Col. Rufus R. Dawes
7th Wisconsin - Col. William Robinson

2.) 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac
Col. Strong Vincent
20th Maine - Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain
16th Michigan - Lt.Col. Norval E. Welch
44th New York - Col. James C. Rice
83rd Pennsylvania - Capt. Orpheus S. Woodward

3.)2nd Brigade, 1st Division, III Corps, Army of the Potomac
Brig.Gen. J. Hobard Ward
20th Indiana - Col. John Wheeler
3rd Maine - Col. Moses B. Lakeman
4th Maine - Col. Elijah Walker
86th New York - Lt.Col. Benjamin L. Higgins
124th New York - Col. Augustus Van Horne Ellis
99th Pennsylvania - Maj. John W. Moore
1st U.S. Sharpshooters
Col. Hiram Berdan
2nd U.S. Sharpshooters
Maj. Homer R. Stoughton

[Kerflumoxed]

IronBMike wrote:

The Iron Brigade, of course. I´m from Wisconsin so that is natural. My usernames have always been either IronBrigadeMike, IronBMike, IBM, IronMike, or something to that effect ever since I played SMG back in 1997 (except for at MMG, where I am Plimpton).

We won't hold that against you! :laugh: Let's see now...where do I remember the Black Hats skeddling? Hmmmmmm

J :woohoo:

[Kerflumoxed]

Many great handles in use...most of which I recognize from history. However, there is no indication where anyone resides. Would it be inappropriate to inquire of those who may be inclined to state their location?

As noted in my signature, I am from Fremont, NE, ... just outside Omaha.

Just curious.

J