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1865 July, Seventh Wisconsin

DISSOLUTION OF THE IRON BRIGADE
Correspondence of the Sentinel
Camp 6th Wis. Vet. Vols
Near Jeffersonville, Ind,
July 1st, 1865

EDITORS SENTINEL-Today the old Iron Brigade-that gallant organization which has earned its place in History by deeds of heroism on the battle-fields of Gainesville, Bull Run, South Mountain Antietam, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Petersburg, is to be dissolved forever, by the mustering out of the Seventh Wisconsin Vet. Vols, one of the oldest and best regiments of the brigade
Last summer, the work commenced when the noble old Second, whose term of service had expired left us at Bottom Bridge on the Chickahominy, and a little later the Nineteenth Indiana Vols. Was consolidated with the Twentieth Indiana, and thus we lost out two oldest regiments.
It was a sorrowful day when these regiments left the Brigade, The Nineteenth marched out at Reverse arms, and many were the tears shed by as gallant Hoosiers as ever left the State of Indiana, Still later the Twenty-fourth Michigan volunteers was detached from the Brigade, and sent to Springfield, Ill. To keep the "sucker" conscripts in durance vile-thus leaving but the two regiments, the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin, and now to complete the work of dissolution, the gallant "Hungry Seventh," as they were called by the Second boys is to go home and be citizens once more.
Thus ends the career of a brigade whose reputation the Union over, for patriotism courage and endurance was second to none in the Northern army. They have shed a bright luster on the fame of our State, and for themselves thy have only to make known the fact of having once belonged to the renowned Iron Brigade to receive the homage and respect an emperor would be proud of. The soldiers who have belonged to the organization at different periods all feel proud of the privilege of saying they once were members of it; and now that it is one of the things of the past, the remembrance of its deeds of valor will forever by the dearest thoughts of those whose daring courage ns steady patriotism made the nave of the Iron Brigade famous and glorious throughout the length and breadth of the land the proud record of this brigade is imperishable.
Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana can say with truth that they have furnished the bravest soldiers of the war and they have had their shoulders to the wheel ever since the rebellion broke out. Their soldiers have never faltered, in the dark days after the second battle of Bull Run and Lee's invasion of Maryland they were confident that the fortunes of the Union army would chance that Right would be vindicated-and the result proved they were not wrong.
The Sixth, which is the last regiment of this brigade, is now commanded by Brevet Lieut. Col. D.B. Dailey, Col. Kellogg having been assigned to the command of the Second Brigade of this Division.
Col. Dailey ahs risen from the ranks solely through merit. He enlisted in Capt. Colwell's Co. B, of the Second Wisconsin Infantry, early in the spring of '61. The Colonel is a gallant officer, and deserved the comparatively high rank he has attained. He is a self make man, a good officer and has the confidence of his superiors. At the time of the consolidation of the Second with the Sixth Wisconsin regiment he was promoted to major and has since been brevetted Lieut Colonel for gallantry of the field of battle.
The Colonel has been several times wounded. He has always been a true man to the government and at the outbreak of the rebellion, staked his life and health in the great struggle, which has just ended for the vindication of democratic principles.
The Sixth regiment numbers now about four hundred men, mostly conscripts and recruits whose terms of service will expire next fall. The boys are all very anxious to get home to their families and friends and enjoy a season of rest and peace. There is considerable grumbling because they cannot go home with their old commander of the Seventh and indeed the Seventh would rather wait a little longer if they could have their company in the glad journey homeward.
The Seventh goes out of the service in accordance with an order from the War Department to muster out 15,000 of the Army of the Tennessee, and the oldest organization were to be the favored ones. The Seventh mustered into the service as veterans three or four days before the Sixth and they are the lucky boys.