The modern day Iron Brigade Guard enjoys skirmishing and its place in the American Civil War Shooter’s Association. Like the original organization, it represents different brigade regiments in its ranks and takes pride in its authentic appearance. It is proud to represent the small Black Hit unit of 1863 that one Wisconsin officer said “never faltered…[and] everyman was a hero.”

For more information contact: Lance Herdegen, (262) 210-6889

No more famous unit fought at Gettysburg than the Iron Brigade of the West.

Lost and almost forgotten, however, has been the role of the “Iron Brigade Guard”— a detail of 100 soldiers picked from each of the five regiments of the brigade. It was organized on June 22, 1863 as the Army of the Potomac marched into Pennsylvania. It was made up of 20 men from each regiment as well as one sergeant and one corporal from each regiment. The guard was commanded by three officers.

On the morning of July 1, 1863, the Iron Brigade Guard was divided into two companies and placed on each flank of the 6th Wisconsin. It joined in the successful charge on the unfinished railroad cut. More than 200 Confederates and the flag of the 2nd Mississippi were captured.

In the lull in the fighting at noon July 1, The Iron Brigade Guard was released and the soldiers returned to their own regiments. It suffered about 30 casualties in the fighting at the railroad cut.