Iron Brigade |
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| 24" x 32" |
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| 1,000 Signed & Numbered |
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| Available upon request |
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The men of the Army of the Potomac's famed Iron Brigade had fought valiantly for hours that July 1, 1863 against an overwhelming tide of Lee's hardened veterans. As Federal units gave ground around them, eventually these dauntless scrappers were forced into a fighting retreat. The 1st Corps fell back through the town of Gettysburg toward the high ground of Cemetery Ridge while the soldiers of the 24th Michigan fought for their very lives. Sustaining appalling casualties, they came to a hastily thrown up barricade in a wooded patch near the Lutheran Seminary building.
Carrying the colors of the regiment was easily the most hazardous job in the American Civil War. Indeed, nine color bearers of the 24th were struck down on that sweltering July day. Men of all ranks from Private to Colonel took their turns at the fateful duty, each being relentlessly cut down one after the other. As the regiment fell back toward the Seminary building, Colonel Henry A. Morrow for a second time seized the silk banner in an endeavor to rally his men when he in turn was wounded. Finally, the exhausted survivors reached the sanctuary of Cemetery Hill, the brave remnant of a proud regiment having suffered an astonishing 80 percent casualties!
Carrying the colors of the regiment was easily the most hazardous job in the American Civil War. Indeed, nine color bearers of the 24th were struck down on that sweltering July day. Men of all ranks from Private to Colonel took their turns at the fateful duty, each being relentlessly cut down one after the other. As the regiment fell back toward the Seminary building, Colonel Henry A. Morrow for a second time seized the silk banner in an endeavor to rally his men when he in turn was wounded. Finally, the exhausted survivors reached the sanctuary of Cemetery Hill, the brave remnant of a proud regiment having suffered an astonishing 80 percent casualties!
