Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

[TKlas]

Greetings gents,

Back in August of 2000, the Hard Head Mess, 33rd Wisconsin, and other like minded enthusiasts were invited to participate with the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry for an Iron Brigade of the West Living History at the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park. This was an carpe eventum event with accuracy driven reenactors portraying a company of the 7th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The Hard Head Mess and chums have again been extended an invitation to join the 24th Michigan and comrades on July 31, August 1-2, 2009 to raise an c/p/h company or two for their Iron Brigade of the West weekend at Gettysburg National Battlefield Park. Our event is also being considered at the upcoming ONV annual meeting for being one of our scheduled of events for 2009.

We will be portraying a company (or two depending on interest) of the 2d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment as they would have looked on the morning of July 1st, 1863. We have a cap of 60 men total for the event and have some great gents to lead our two companies if there is enough interest. Steve Acker will be Captain of our first company and if we have over 45 registrations we will form a second company under the command of Dave Gerow. To be true to the historic numbers the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry would have had going into the battle, each company will have around 25-30 men. There is a $25.00 fee to attend which will cover rations being issued and battlefield preservation. The campaigner company is hosted by the Hard Head Mess and we will have posted standards that all participants will have to meet as with all our hosted events. Just so we are clear, all uniform and equiapge will have to be accurate in construction, materials, and patterns compared to the original articles. We will have a brief inspection for all individuals to make sure we maintain an accurate company for the weekend. Our mess wanted to get this information out now incase someone wants to attend but needs to get some items that meet our standards to attend the event.

Please note: You will be in a battalion at times with mainstream reenactors so please be advised if this is something you are not interested in. This will not be an EBUFU event, but a chance to be on the original ground and tell the story as accurately as possible of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. We are here to show the public and our fellow reenactors how rewarding an accurate impression of the Iron Brigade of the West can be and to honor the men we attempt to portray.

If this sounds of interest to you and would like to seek an invitation, please post, PM, or send me an e-mail at fallriversoldier@hotmail.com to receive an event packet. We are looking for a good group of serious living historians to share the history of the Second Wisconsin with. Also as an added bonus, along with us men from the Old Northwest attending, we may also have in our ranks Lance Herdegen, author and historian on the Iron Brigade of the West whom will help us with our planned battlefield walk of the route of the 2nd Wisconsin on the morning of July 1st, 1863 with docent mateirals from his research. If you are a fan of the Iron Brigade of the West and are looking for an accurate home on the real ground, this may be an event for you.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from interested gents that have a good kit, attitude, and willingness to interact with the public.

Tom

[TKlas]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Hi gents,

Just to save time, here are our standards for the event incase your wanting to know what we expect.


Uniform and Equipage should consist of:

Issue Jefferson Bootees preferred, infantry boots accepted
Pattern of 1858 Dress Hat with 1st Corps Badge and minimal hat ornamentation preferred
Fatigue Blouse preferred, Uniform Coat accepted
Sky Blue Kersey Issue Trousers
Issue Shirt preferred, Civilian Shirt accepted
Issue pattern drawers preferred, Civilian patterns accepted
Suspenders
Issue Wool Socks preferred, wool and cotton socks accepted
Pattern of 1856 Waist Belt with leather loop keeper preferred, brass belt keeper accepted
Pattern of 1858 Smoothside Canteen with leather sling preferred or cotton sling accepted
Pattern of 1851 Haversack
Mess Furniture
Cartridge Box, Cartridge Box Belt, & Cap Box
Model of 1861 Springfield Rifle – Musket preferred with corresponding bayonet, or Pattern of 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket, or Original Pattern of 1854 Austrian Lorenz Rifle Musket
Two rivet “Gaylord” pattern Bayonet Scabbard preferred, seven rivet pattern acceptable
Rubber Blanket preferred, rubber poncho accepted
U.S. Issue Wool Blanket
U.S. Issue Shelter Half
Pattern of 1855 Doublebag Knapsack preferred, Blanket Roll accepted
No modern items except for car keys, medications in a period container, and contact lens if vision correction is necessary.

Uniform & Equipage Guidelines for the 2d Wisconsin Campaigner Company

All uniform and equipage should be correct in pattern, materials, and construction as compared to original articles. An authenticity check will occur prior to the event Saturday morning and again later on Sunday morning. Anyone failing to meet the requirements may be asked to adjust their gear to meet those guidelines or surrender participation. Having a gent whom has a great attitude towards an overall accurate portrayal and a borderline kit is more desirable than someone with a great kit but a poor attitude. Feel free to ask us if you need help with your kit and we will try to assist those that want to attend as many of our members have loaner gear if necessary.

U.S. Pattern 1858 Dress Hat:

Made of black rabbit felt, with a 2.5 inch black leather sweatband, the hat has a 3 inch brim, 5.5 to 6.25 inch crown height, has double row brim stitching at 4 stitches per inch, a black silk grosgrain ribbon surrounding the base of the crown, and a black oilcloth or paper crown label. Each participant is expected to adorn the hat with a 1st Corps Badge (Red 1 7/8th inch circular disk) and one other piece of hat ornamentation. This will be the only enlisted hat allowed.

Fatigue Blouse:

To be made of 5 ½ oz. indigo dyed wool flannel with a noticeable weave in the material. Correct square corner or kidney shaped breast pocket. Four ¾ inch general service eagle buttons attached by hand. Fatigue blouses can be either lined (preferred) or unlined. Wool flannel lining can be tan, gray, brown, or blue with corresponding cotton muslin sleeve lining sewn in by hand. Unlined coats should have hand flat felled seams.

All buttonholes shall be entirely hand sewn using blue, black, or logwood faded (brown) linen or cotton thread. Approved styles include Schuylkill Arsenal Pattern (entirely hand sewn), J.T. Martin contract pattern, New York Depot pattern, & other documented arsenal and contract patterns.

Uniform Coat (Dress Coat):

The dress coat shall be made of an indigo dyed wool cloth (broadcloth or uniform cloth as documented in original garments), a standing collar, skirt with two rear pockets, 1/4 inch padded black or brown polished cotton chest lining, cotton muslin sleeve lining, handsewn sleeve gussets between the body of the coat and the sleeve lining, saxony blue/sky blue (not baby blue) piping or welting on collar, cuffs, and vertical piping or welting along the cuff split.

Eyes and hooks should be attached at the collar and corners of the skirt. There is no internal pocket in this coat, and there is no lining in the back of the coat body or the skirt.

Buttonholes should be all hand sewn using blue, black, or logwood faded (brown) linen or cotton thread. Uniform coats must have nine 3/4 inch general service eagle buttons on body front, two 3/4 inch general service eagle buttons in back (above the skirt tails), and two 5/8 inch general service eagle buttons on each functional cuff.

All documented arsenal and contract issue garments of correct construction, materials, and patterns are acceptable.

Trowsers (Foot Pattern):

Some basic features include sky blue kersey wool (no dark blue trowsers allowed) with a diagonal weave, correct rise of trowsers in the seat (back yoke), right side watch pocket, narrow tapered waistband, four or six stamped paper backed tin suspender buttons, five small paper back tin fly buttons, side seam pockets, correct overlapping cuff vents with internal cuff facings, correct fly panels and facings, etc.

Buttonholes and tieback grommet holes should be hand sewn with dark blue or logwood-dyed cotton or linen thread.

Approved styles include Schuylkill Arsenal pattern (entirely hand sewn) preferred, J.T. Martin contract pattern, William Deering contract pattern & other documented arsenal and contract patterns.

U.S. Pattern Jefferson Bootees (Shoes):

Black dyed, semi rough out leather, squared front, one inch heels, four sets of shoelace holes with one in the vamp, accompanied with leather shoelaces. Leather soles can be either pegged or sewn. Heel rims, inlet heel rims, and hobnails are all acceptable.

Federal Issue Shirt:

Made of domet wool flannel, completely hand sewn, incorporating a rectangular body with square gussets. This is the preferred garment for our living history. Also acceptable are the
gray wool flannel issue shirts and contract variant issue shirts.

Civilian Shirt:

Must be of period fabric, pattern, and construction. The body of the shirt may be either hand or machine stitched, but entirely hand sewn civilian shirts (which were more common) are preferred. All buttons & buttonholes are to be entirely sewn by hand as per original specimens. Civilian shirt fabrics should be of 100% cotton.

Civilian shirt patterns should be comprised of two to three colored small plaids, checks, & stripes. The woven shirt patterns should be the same on the reverse side of the shirting fabric. Look for small folding or banded collars, and three or four button plackets. Civilian shirts can have square gussets as popular in the 1850’s, or the rounded sleeves, which became stylish during the 1860’s. Correct buttons are comprised of bone, shell, china, milk glass, hard rubber, or wood in two or four hole styles.

Drawers:

Either Federal Issue pattern (preferred) or civilian patterns acceptable. Federal issue drawers shall be made of cotton canton flannel, with cotton tape ties in the rear and the ankles. Hand sewn paperback tin buttons, buttonholes, and tieback grommet holes. These should wear high on the waist.

Civilian drawers should be made of fabrics such as cotton catton flannel, cotton osnaburg, or linen. Other features include hand-sewn buttonholes, buttons, and tieback grommet holes. Buttons may be bone, china, or other documented compositions. Civilian drawers should also ride rather high on the waist.

Socks:

U.S. Issue Stockings or wool hand knitted socks with period tops and side seams, available in varying lengths. Stick to dull colors such as gray, brown, cream, blue, dark green, tan, or dark red.

Suspenders:

Should be of documented style and construction. Since the Federal Army did not issue these, soldiers had to either purchase a pair from a merchant, have them sent from home, or simply went without them. They were made out of cotton drill or linen, with differing degrees of sophistication. Common styles ranged from simple straps with hand-sewn buttonholes (poorboys), to sewn straps with two or three tined brass adjustments & leather ends on each side.

Spectacles:

For those who need vision correction, you must either purchase a set of period eyeglasses filled with your prescription, wear contact lenses, or go with out any which is very accurate! This is not negotiable.

Cartridge Box:

U.S. Pattern of 1857 & 1861 .58 caliber cartridge boxes are acceptable. Cartridge boxes shall be sewn by hand using waxed linen thread, comprised of tanned leather, dyed black, with tins, and cartridge box plate attached with a small piece of leather.

Cartridge Box Belt (Sling):

Made of bridle leather, dyed black, 2.25 inches wide, and 55.5 inches long clear of billets. Billets (two narrow four hole adjustment strips) should be 4.25 inches in length at each end of the belt. The total length of the cartridge box belt is 64 inches. The cartridge box belt should be shortened so the top of the cartridge box is no lower than the bottom of the waistbelt. The round eagle cartridge box belt plate (breastplate) should be attached using a small piece of leather.

U.S. Pattern 1856 Waistbelt:

Made of bridle leather, dyed black, 1.9 inches wide, 38.5 inches long with leather belt keeper (preferred) and lead backed pattern 1856 belt plate attached. The leather loop keeper can be cut-off as documented among several original issued waistbelts.

U.S. Pattern 1850 Cap Box:

Made of bridle leather, dyed black, has a outer flap with latching tab, wool strip hand sewn to the back of the inner flap, cone pick loop, riveted brass finial, and two waistbelt loops which were hand sewn to the back of the cap box along with small copper rivet supports. Shield front cap boxes are desired as well.

U.S. Pattern Bayonet Scabbard:

Must be the U.S. Pattern “Gaylord” two rivet sewn issue bayonet scabbard. These bayonet scabbards were made of black dyed bridle leather and featured attached frogs of either bridle or buff leather. All bayonet scabbards must have a secure brass tip.

U.S. Pattern 1851 Haversack:

Some basic features include machine sewn construction, black tarred exterior coating that seeps into the interior, cotton or linen inner bag attached by three hand sewn 5/8 inch tin buttons, hand sewn inner bag button holes, black 5/8 inch roller buckle, and a one piece shoulder strap of 40 to 45 inches in length.

Haversacks must ride at the small of the back, with the top of the haversack no lower than the waistbelt.

U.S. Pattern 1858 Smoothside Canteen:

Must be an U.S. Pattern 1858 Smoothside Canteen, with pewter spout, jack chain (New York Depot) or string stopper attachment. If string is used, then the tin strap brackets should not have a punched in hole. A mixture of the leather strap (preferred) and cloth strap (acceptable) would be appropriate for impressions during the spring through summer of 1863 for Second Wisconsin impressions. There is documented evidence of the leather strap in the ranks of the federal army at the battle of Gettysburg from canteens in the collection of this national battlefield park.
Correct brownish/gray jean wool cover is highly recommended. The canteen must ride at the small of the back.
U.S. Pattern 1855 Doublebag Knapsack:

Hand or machine sewn linen body tarred black with a glossy appearance, black dyed shoulder straps, blackened buckles, hand sewn buckles & keepers, reinforcements of split leather, and overcoat straps. Wartime documented contract versions are also acceptable.

U.S. Issue Rubber Blanket:

Rubber or Gum Blankets were the primary ground cloth of the infantry during the war. Made of rubber with a white linen backing, small brass grommets, with dimensions of 46” x 71”.

U.S. Issue Blanket:

Should be of a documented pattern. Can be either the gray issue wool blanket with black woven end stripes & 4 to 4.5 inch US letters stitched in the middle of the blanket, or the brown issue blanket with woven brown end stripes & 4 to 4.5 inch US letters stitched in the middle of the blanket. All blankets should have a noticeable diagonal weave, especially visible in the end stripes. Dimensions should be close to 7 feet x 5 feet, six inches, weighting about five pounds.

Rifle-Musket:

Since there is not a dependable reproduction source for the Austrian "Lorenz" M1854, .54 caliber rifle-musket & replacement parts at this time except for original weapons, we have opted for some other commonly reproduced rifle-muskets during the war. We prefer the M1861 Springfield rifle-musket that the 6th Wisconsin carried, or the Pattern of 1853 Enfield rifle-musket that the Second Wisconsin carried by January of 1864. All muskets must have three-barrel bands, with exception to original Austrian Lorenz M1854, .54 caliber rifle-muskets. We also require that all modern makers’ marks are removed, and any necessary modifications are made to ensure the accuracy of your rifle-musket.

Bayonet:

You also need a corresponding pattern of 1855 bayonet for your rifle-musket without any modern markings. Original bayonets look even better!

Mess Furniture:

We recommend as a minimum that all soldiers carry their own mess furniture to some degree. This may include a tin cup or fruit can boiler, knife, fork, & spoon or combination set, and a plate/canteen half. Remember less is more appropriate! No stainless steel mess furniture or crimped bottom boilers or dippers allowed.

U.S. Issue Shelter Half:

The shelter half must be of a documented three-panel issue pattern, construction, and materials as compared to original shelter halves. In Fred Gaede’s typology, this would be a Type II shelter half and is preferred for our living history. Shelter halves should be carried in each soldier’s knapsack as per accounts of Second Wisconsin soldiers.

Personal Items:

Since this a public event and part of what we do will be educating the public it is requested the participants bring their personal gear appropriate to the historical time period and the campaign impression we are striving for.

If you need medication, please bring them along in a period container or poke sack. The only modern items you are allowed should be your car keys, medications (if needed), and contacts if you wear them for vision correction.

Rations:

We will be issuing rations on Saturday morning of Hardtack, Coffee, & Slab Bacon for the weekend. Your fee will pay for rations.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions,

Tom

[TKlas]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Hi gents,

Just to clear up any confusion in regards to the use of the Austrian Lorenz for our c/p/h company, we are allowing only original Pattern of 1854 Austrian Lorenz rifle muskets in .54 caliber or .58 caliber and not the current reproduction offerings from Loyalist Arms in the .62 caliber smoothbore variety. This came up recently and just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page regarding what we expect for accuracy reasons.

Thanks for all the interest and we actually had our first registration come through already.

Tom

[Rmhisteach]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Tom,

Are we to presume that we will have a tour similar to what was done at Antietam???

Your Pard

Rod

[TKlas]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Hi Rod,

We are trying to secure permits to allow the opportunity for a very similar experience at Gettysburg tracing their steps and reading docents from the men we attempt to portray. I talked to Lance Herdegen earlier this week and he is very excited about this as well. Andrew Roscoe of the 24th Michigan is working on this for us with the park liasion so we will see what will come about.

I have also been in contact with some decendants from the Second Wisconsin and we have some interest from them wanting to be part of our memorial walk on Saturday afternoon stopping to honor each regiment of the Iron Brigade of the West at their monument. It should be a very special time for those interested in the history of this unit.

Soon we will announce the companies we will be representing in the Second Wisconsin for the event.

Thanks Rod and hope to see you at the ONV meeting,

Tom

[PalmettoGuard]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Dang it Tom! I'd enlist now to have a good time like we did at Antietam, but you scheduled the darn event on my 10th anniversary. I'm a smart enough man to know better than to miss that one. :confused_

[TKlas]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Hi Brian,

Sorry about the date but that is what the park decided on as your probably aware from Antietam. If you can not make this one, stay tuned because we will be working on some other NPS offerings in the future for our comrades. I know what you mean about keeping your better half happy. Holler's event on the 2009 AC Calendar The Lost Tribes is during the birthday of my wife. Needless to say if I went to the event, I would be the lost tribe. Good to hear from you Brian and perhaps some of us can get together at another event for 2009.

Tom

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

I will warn you also that I have done that event in a frock and it is very HOT, down there, I almost came down with the heat. I mean really HOT.

My GGGrandfather, in the 24th MI, actually fell out of the march to Gettysburg, on June 30th, came down with heatstroke that gave him blackouts the rest of his life. He was out for a few months recovering, that though is the only battle he missed, and was wounded at Petersburg. I have a picture of him in later life and you can see the wound that was described by his medical records, it was a hand wound that would seep at times, yuck.

So be prepared for heat. It is nice though to walk around the battlefield at dusk and sit on top of little round top and the new museum is open but see it before you do the event, I did tired and I was in a daze with all the bells and whistles they have.

Yeah and if you go say hi to the 24th monument near Willoby run.

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Back in 2000 I participated in that LH and consider the Hard Heads some of the very best in the hobby! This is the kind of event that I lived for back when I was reenacting. I'm gonna make a mighty good try at getting out there to witness you all and would be thrilled to take a walk with Mr. Herdegen as well!

[DougCooper]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

My GGGrandfather, in the 24th MI, actually fell out of the march to Gettysburg, on June 30th, came down with heatstroke that gave him blackouts the rest of his life. He was out for a few months recovering, that though is the only battle he missed, and was wounded at Petersburg. I have a picture of him in later life and you can see the wound that was described by his medical records, it was a hand wound that would seep at times, yuck.

Considering what happened to the boys from Wayne County at Gettysburg, that case of heatstroke might have saved his life...and made you possible! :)

[ajroscoe]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Gentlemen,
First of all, thanks to Tom for all his work putting this together. My unit and I are very pleased to have men like you coming out to join us. Tom has done a wonderful job helping me get this event going. I really hope that this will be a special event for us all. The 24th Michigan goes to Gettysburg NMP every year for living history, but it is rare that we get the numbers and the quality of impression that we except this year. I know the public always walks away with a much sharper understanding of what the soldiers really went through, and I think that is one of the many reasons we all do this hobby. Tom suggested recreating the walk from the Codori Farm cross-lots to McPherson's Ridge. I've done it before, and it isn't easy, but it is quite an experience. I'm working with the park to make it possible to do the march with rifles and colors. I know that there will be mainstream reenactors there as well, but like we have done at past events, lets be an example for the others and do it right.
Thomas and Doug, on your discussion, one of our members has a letter from one of the men in F company who fell out in Fredrick on the March to Gettysburg. He was writing to his captain, Albert Edwards (one of three of twenty five officers unwounded) to inquire about the company. He closed by reminding the captain that he was being moved to Annapolis to recovery and asking him to forward his pay. Quite the soldier there! I wish I could remember his name, but its escaping me at the moment, but it just goes to show that there is at least one of them in every company!
Gentlemen, thank you again for your interest in joining us for the weekend and bringing the story of the Iron Brigade to life.

Andrew Roscoe,
Captain Commanding,
24th Michigan Volunteers

[TKlas]

Back in 2000 I participated in that LH and consider the Hard Heads some of the very best in the hobby! This is the kind of event that I lived for back when I was reenacting. I'm gonna make a mighty good try at getting out there to witness you all and would be thrilled to take a walk with Mr. Herdegen as well!

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the kind words and glad to see you’re excited about the event and the possible march from the Corodi Farm to Willoughby Run with Lance. It should be a very good time as it was back in 2000. I know we normally are not about adjunct events, but our hosts in the 24th Michigan really did a fine job last time and made it worth putting this together nine years later. Andy has been great to work with and I am very pleased along with my mess mates we decided to do this LH opportunity again as it looks like their will be a lot of enthusiasts of the Iron Brigade of the West in attendance. Registrations for our company have started to come in already and we will update once we get a few more in.

As for some event updates, we will be portraying Company "A," Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, The Citizens Guard for the event. As the event gets closer, I will send out e-mail packets with the history of this company to all registered participants and tentatively we will have a relative of Jasper Daniels, a sergeant in the Citizens Guard, Company "A,", 2d Wisc. Vols. whom was at Gettysburg, attending part of the memorial service with us on Saturday afternoon of the event. It should be a very good time for those that enjoy the history of the Iron Brigade of the West and want to portray them accurately.

As for company leadership, Steve Acker had to step down from Command due to some teaching opportunities, so Dave Gerow of the Hard Heads will be our company commander for the event. If we can fill up another company, I will have an announcement with the other company commander whom would be portraying the Miners Guard, Company "I," Second Wisconsin.

So for those thinking about coming out, get your registrations in or e-mail me for an event packet so you can. If you have not picked up a copy of Lance's latest book that will be a great primer for our event, Those Damned Black Hats: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign, please consider getting a copy as it will help in your preparation for the event.

Thanks again everyone for your interest in a unique event.

Tom Klas
Hard Head Mess
ONV

[garyjd]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Since we're on the subject of the Iron Brigade, does anyone have a source for reproduction 1st Corps 1st Division cloth Corps badges? If not, perhaps a source where I could get a swatch of red cloth. This may be an item some folks need to help complete their Iron Brigade impression. Thanks in advance. ~Gary

[JerseySkilletLicker]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Gary,
Shoot some of the sutlers a letter, in particular Brian "Speedy" Merrick as he produced a run of red issue shirts a while back and may have material on hand to help with the project.

To all concerned, I carry the book:
Those Damned Black Hats: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE:IT&ih=019

Currently, I have free shipping on the book, but will also knock the price down to $29.99, so have a look and grab a copy if you feel so inclined. The book is super good (I just finished reading it) and I know several folks on the board here bought it as well.

Joe

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: Iron Brigade Gettyburg NPS LH Carpe Eventum

Anytime anyone is looking for a Corps Badge, I heartily recommend BJ Zirkle. He makes badges out of a variety of materials for good prices, from cloth to enameled/painted brass to fancy gold and silver in certain circumstances. His prices for a cloth badge are very reasonable.

He can be emailed at giltwire@aol.com