October, 1998

Steve Bechtold, Co. H      October 26, 1998

Howdy!   Second Wisconsin
Here is a little synopsis (from a 2d Regt. view) of Mr. Madus' article in the back of the "Bloody Railroad Cut", by Mr. Herdegen and Mr. Beaudot.  It makes for great reading and I highly recommend it!  According to this man we should all be in dark blue if we are representing 1862. I thought it might make good campfire starter.
We in Company H have opted for the ragtag "Fall 1862" look and are currently working to have all new members purchase the dark blue trousers and as our sky blue wear out, purchase the dark blue.  Have a great winter, thanks for the memories this year and above all stay warm!
The following is research done on Iron Brigade and 2d Wisconsin troops specifically up to Gettysburg.  This was taken from an article in Herdegen, Lance J. and  Beaudot, William J. K. In the Bloody Railroad Cut at Gettysburg.  Morningside Dayton, Ohio: Morningside, 1990   ISBN 0-89029-535-X  the article is by Howard Michael Madus, and is very well written and thorough.  I recommend it highly.  My review will only cover some of what is written. 
This month I will concentrate on the gray uniforms worn by Company H.
I also have discovered a picture of Mr. Madus in a gray Wisconsin Uniform of the Second Wisconsin and have thoughts of trying to contact him for any patterns or other information that he might be able to provide to the Second, Company H specifically, so that in the future we might have gray uniforms made for a Bull's Run Event.
Wisconsin officials were apparently not aware of the adoption of gray by many of the southern states, when the same color was adopted for use by the State Militia in May of 1861. The militia movement in the state during the 1850's influenced the decision as many of the militia units already possessed uniforms of gray. This was also a maneuver to maintain a difference from Federal Troops as Wisconsin was very adamant about State's Rights(!).   The Second Regiment was ordered to report to Camp Randall as each company was filled and the uniform guidelines used to equip the First were carried over to equip the Second.

The following was the uniform prescribed:
Commissioned Officers: Full U.S. Regulation blue cloth.   Company officers
were to be provided with a suit of gray at the states expense.

Enlisted (including drummers and fifers):  Single breasted 9 black button coats with a standing collar.  The length to be 3/4 from hip to knee.
Chevrons were to be black braid 1/2 inch wide.  The description sounds just like our present frocks.

Trousers were gray with a 1/8 inch black welt on the seam.
Caps were gray "7th Regiment" style, with a patent leather strap.

No uniform shade of gray was required, but a dark shade was objectionable.  However, if different shades were to be used, they were supposed to be uniformly distributed through the ranks.
The Second never had black buttons, and the trousers were supposedly different.  But an early photo of Wm. Harries in his La Crosse Light Guards uniform has his cuffs trimmed in black, a black collar, and a stripe at least 3/4 an inch wide.  Whether or not the uniform was changed before leaving Camp Randall, I do not know.
I have seen nothing on leathers.  The previously mentioned photo shows black leathers.  But Frederick Lythson of Company H has buff (white for the uninformed) with  rectangular odd breastplate and buckle (State Seal?).
Hats had a stiffener that made the hat resemble a shako.  This was often removed with the strange rear visor it had to give it a kepi appearance .
The uniforms received by the Randall Guards were anything but uniform in color.  It was claimed that each man had a different shade of gray for uniform.  This was due to the fact that wool in gray was very hard to find in the quantity needed to outfit the number of troops being contracted for.
Gray overcoats were purchased in New York and were lined with red flannel.  these lasted much longer than the uniforms.  I believe that I have a picture of Lt. Nat Rollins in a gray overcoat and dark blue uniform.
It was not until Col. Cutler was in command that these were turned in.
No where in the article could I find a reference to shirts that the  Second wore.   Although, there is mention of a dark blue woolen shirt, that seems to have been issued to the Sixth.
The gray uniform late in it's life, gave rise to our well known pseudonym "The Ragged Assed Second".  As we all well know the seats of the britches wore out a little too fast.  After a visit from Gov. Randall, new uniforms were quickly obtained for the Second Regiment.
In October of 1861 the Second was finally issued their new clothes. One member of Company H wrote home, "We now have our entire new suit, all   dark blue, with army hats with plume-the handsomest uniform in the service."
In 1858 the dark blue trousers were the official uniform adopted by the U.S. Army (at the time there had been problems getting the sky blue). The standard was changed to sky blue on Dec. 18, 1861.  However due to the  problems securing the dark blue, sky blue was often issued to new regiments prior to that.
There is written and photographic evidence that the regiment retained the dark blue through the fall of 1862.  The 7th was issued "138 prs. of Dark Blue Pants which we could not use but turned over to the 2d Regt. Wis. Vols." on May 5, 1862.  In Aug. 1862 the 2d requisitioned "20 Inf. Trowsers, dark blue".  The photographs taken in May-July 1862 outside of Fredricksburg also back this up.
There is evidence that some members of the second also wore variations of coats as well.  There are two photos of men in a four button sack longer than what reenactors usually wear.  Joseph Mann (Company F) and the band at what is believed to be Fredericksburg.  This would indicate that a sack is more than appropriate for our needs, it would be nice to have the longer version if it could be found.  The N.C.O.s of Company E also had a likeness done and only one is in a frock, others are in a short roundabout.  These coats, according to Mr. Madus are most likely privately purchased.  Most importantly the sergeants have sky blue stripes on their dark blue trousers.
As far as the black hat is concerned, the brim was worn at the discretion of the individual while in the field.  Photos indoors usually show the men of the 2d with the left side up.  Records indicate that all brass was required and replaced as needed.  In the orders issued in may there is a reference to the banning of articles of decoration not prescribed as part of the uniform.  They were also required to maintain or be fined for damaged and missing items.
In May 1862 the brigade was issued it's famous leggings.  Gen'l Gibbon ordered every man to have an extra set of uniform right down to the leggings.  Outfitted Col. Fairchild weighed a man and found the gear required to weigh 85lbs!
The men as well known did not like the leggings that were issued in May 1862.  One crate destined to the 7th was lost and there were an odd  number left over.   these apparently were issued to the officers of companies that were issued the leggings.  The 6th also requisitioned extra leggings that were felt to be for the officers of that regiment.
After the "Legging Mutiny", it appears that they were never issued again.   Rufus Dawes of the 6th made mention of them in Oct. 1862, and there is evidence that some still existed in July of 1863.  Pvt. John Rader (6th Wis.) while charging the Railroad Cut was severely wounded and died in the hospital, among his possessions were one "pr. gaiters"!  Although other regiments were issued leggings, the Iron Brigade never recorded another issue after the original in May 1862.
This article is fascinating and I highly recommend it as leisurely  reading for those interested in accuracy for their impression.  Mr. Madus takes you through the years of the Iron Brigade right up to Gettysburg.
There isn't a possible question unanswered in my limited thoughts about what to wear in what year.  So boys, start thinking about what you purchase, and think dark blue...

Gary VanKauwenberg          October 28, 1998

Howies appendix to Lance and Bill's book is worth the purchase price alone.
It was a sad day when Howie left the Veteran's Museum for Wyoming.  Howie shared his personal notes on the second issue, 2nd Wisconsin flags with me, and they were a tremendous help making the replica of the National colors.
Howie does great work.

The problem I see with the ragtag 1962 look is that the group hardly gets to portray the 2nd Wisconsin, much less the 2nd Wisconsin in late 1862 at larger events.  I encourage all to buy a second pair of dark blue pants, in addition to, not after, the sky blues have worn out.  If those are the only pants you own, you'll be an anachronism at most large events.

Concerning the gray uniforms.  I think there may have been some differences between the different companies militia uniforms.  The 8th Wisconsin reenacting group from EauClaire has grey uniforms and occasionally wears them.  You may want to check with them about any research they've done, or sources for materials.

Steve Bechtold, Co. H      October 28, 1998

I agree, his article was most of the reason for the purchase, I didn't know just how much it would cover though...Wow.
Do you folks at Wisconsin events ever portray 1862?  We are not as fortunate as you guys out here in that to to go to larger events is a major endeavor.  Our largest event on the West Coast is in Fresno and probably numbers 1500 max.  Some of us are working towards more West Coast events as opposed to Club events usually 200-400.  Never can we portray our own units, so our clothing is pretty much what we choose.  Let's face it a reb has got the upper hand at being the 2d Anystate.  We just go with who we are and don't sweat the public.
I noticed that in Gettysburg when we were in the wheatfield and center line on the third day, the bummer was hard to find among the Black Hat Battalion.  That is pretty much the way that we operate out here right now.
Most of us do have bummers and with command next year I hope to alter our head wear for various events.  We have been augmenting our sister unit the 69th NYV in their flagging membership and I hope that next year if we do an Irish Brigade related venue that the boys will doff the Black Hat for a battle or two.
So getting back to my original point, we try to represent the 2d in 1862 in camp if not on the field.
Speaking of next year and the like.  I am hoping to get a large contingint back to see you lads for a Wisconsin event.  I most likely will not venture to Chickamauga ('cause I luvs da black hat), but am interested in which
event is mostly oriented to the 2d, 6th or 7th.  I can plug it out here.  I know that the lads from So. Cal. want to go.  I know that a number of our boys will go, I am thinking maybe I can talk some from  Washington/
Oregon too.  My dream is 20 lads from out here.  Discuss this amongst yourselves and let me know.
Anyway, thanks for the great feedback, I will encourage all to keep their sky blue trousers too.

Gary VanKauwenberg          October 28, 1998

Do you folks at Wisconsin events ever portray 1862?

Many of the folks who went to Antietam bought the dark blue pants.  Almost everyone had the gaiters.  Scott Wallick's gaiters are the ones to spend your money on.   He's more reasonable priced and awfully close to Weedaward's higher priced version.  I don't know of anyone else that makes the correct ones for us to use.

Jim Johnson         October 28, 1998

We generally do the 1862 Gibbons-look here at Wisconsin events. We have portrayed the Second at one National event - Antietam, the 135th. It all gets down to numbers and policies but if we keep growing and adding to our visibility and start going to more events, mid size or not, as an Iron Brigade presence, the idea of a regiment with companies will begin to sink in. The concept is so different from the present norm that this will take a period of time for others to deal with from the feedback I get. (Mostly from bulletin boards where folks are prepared to be generic at the drop of a hat.) I believe it will all work out.

The 140th Bull Run is a possible goal for 2001, the uniform question is a problem for others beside ourself and I would think it will be a midsize event and an outfitted 2d would be something to see there. There haven't been any discussions as yet as we're just getting through next year. I know one of the people that has a potential film in the works mentioned being interested in our ability to do 1st Bull Run.

Also it would give us the opportunity to do early war impressions such as Camp Randall before leaving the state and a whole range of  1861  impressions.

Tim Fairchild       October 29, 2998

Forwarding this from Doug Dobbs site regarding next season's South Mountain event

"On Friday, September 10, 1999 over 100 Civil War reenactors will depart from a site near Middletown, Md.and follow the route of the First Jersey Brigade up across Crampton's Gap. We will travel campaign style and bivouac overnight along the route up Pleasant Valley to Boonsboro. On Saturday, September 11, we'll finish the trip and arrive at Maryland's largest battle reenactment of the year: "Fire on the Mountain -The Battle of South Mountain."
We will have the exciting opportunity to march directly onto the field and participate in the reenactment.This will be an experience that I hope will appeal to many branches of the hobby: preservationists, living historians, marchers and powder burners. The "Boys of '61" would want us all to work together to hang onto these flags. I hope to raise at least $10,000 to do that.
The goal is to get 100 men to raise $100 each. That will buy a third of the cases we need to conserve and display the flags in Trenton. Combined with a campaign to raise funds through other means our efforts could draw significant public interest and,thus, even more donations.
If you'd like to volunteer to help out or be put on a mailing list that will keep you abreast of information as it develops please drop me a line: dougdobbs@nfis.com .

You can also follow developments on the Military Reenactors Discussion Forum (cwreenactors.com).

Doug Dobbs, October 30, 1998

Did somebody use my name??  :)

Boys of the Second Wisconsin, we'd sure love to have you coming over Turner's Gap while we Jersey Boys move up the valley to Boonsboro.  Then a few hundred of us would pour onto the field together.  Wouldn't that make the Rebs sit up and take notice??   Not to mention the possibility of publicity for the preservation project of your choice...
I'm shooting for 100 bodies on the road from the Jersey side.  There are something like 11 different units from NJ that portray NJ units.  Throw in other units that portray non-NJ units, or those who live out of state but have roots in Jersey, and that seems like a reasonable goal to shoot for.
The battle reenactment itself should be close to 1,000 participants total, counting both sides.  It's numbers have grown substantially this year over last.  With the competition from Chickamauga (which is the next weekend) this coming year we don't know exactly what to expect.  I'll feel good if we hold our own around 1,000.
I will move heaven and earth to get you resources to make this march if you want to make the trip out here.  We've had unbelievable cooperation from local officials and I'm sure they would extend that to you as well.
This year's South Mountain was a great event, ask your pards who were there.  And I'd love to have you boys in correct attire (and good numbers!) to lend the right atmosphere to the place.  This is where the Iron Brigade showed their mettle.  Come do the Boys of '61 proud!
Email me if you have questions: dougdobbs@nfis.com.
Oh and if you simply want to join us Jersey boys the whole way, that's ok too.  We'll work out something so you all can slip into your frocks and Hardees before taking the field...  And I promise not to put any wallets in the road next year...  :)
Spread the word to other units that do Iron Brigade outfits and we'll be in touch.
Doug
Co. E, 15th NJVI
www.nfis.com/~dougdobbs/somoma1.htm
www.cmhl.org/html/crampton.html