| Cuirassier | 18 Sep 2016 2:42 p.m. PST |
Soldiers of the much respected Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. I could use some help… When this photo was taken? Where? Thanks in advance. Click on the image to enlarge it: link |
Frederick  | 18 Sep 2016 3:19 p.m. PST |
Would guess early in the Brigade's history but beyond that not sure – I will dig thru my library and see what I can find |
| SonofThor | 18 Sep 2016 4:04 p.m. PST |
Yes, I'd say it's an early photo, they still have their hardee hats on. |
| rmaker | 18 Sep 2016 6:35 p.m. PST |
Yes, I'd say it's an early photo, they still have their hardee hats on. The Iron Brigade kept their Hardee hats throughout the war. It was their trademark, so to speak. |
| davbenbak | 18 Sep 2016 9:48 p.m. PST |
I'd say pretty early as well since they still appear to have the white gaiters. |
| Cleburne1863 | 19 Sep 2016 2:57 a.m. PST |
Newly issued gaiters would be white. You can have new gaiters (or any other item) continuously issued throughout the war. There were gaiters issued to units just before Gettysburg. |
| SJDonovan | 19 Sep 2016 4:19 a.m. PST |
It's a wonderful photograph. I expected the men's belts to be black leather but most of them appear to be much lighter than that. Do you think this is just a trick of the light or are some of them wearing natural leather/buff belts? |
| jowady | 19 Sep 2016 6:53 a.m. PST |
IIRC the Iron Brigade stopped wearing Hardee hats in 1864. Some old veterans may have continued the practice but replacements didn't have them. It's an interesting photo though. As the men are carrying equipment, like their cups, where it seems convenient rather than regulation I would assume that this is a photo after they have seen some service. +++++CORRECTION++++++++++++++++ According to the Wisconsin Historical Society these are soldiers of the 2nd Wisconsin, photos taken between October of 1861 and August 1862. You can read more here including a possible Company ID as well as the possible ID of one of the soldiers. link |
| dantheman | 19 Sep 2016 3:16 p.m. PST |
Definitely believe belts are black. The light will shine off the leather. |
| DOUGKL | 19 Sep 2016 6:12 p.m. PST |
The method of photography at the time can have a great effect on how colors appear. After Gettysburg the Brigade was reinforced with the 167th PA, then they were withdrawn and replaced by the 2nd New York Sharpshooters. These units most likely wore forage caps. There were other replacements who were draftees and not volunteers. These troops probably had the standard union uniform with forage caps too. |
| jowady | 19 Sep 2016 6:58 p.m. PST |
Definitely believe belts are black. The light will shine off the leather.
Since collodian is not pan-chromatic it is almost impossible to say fro ACW era photos what the original colors are. |
| Cuirassier | 20 Sep 2016 6:53 a.m. PST |
Many thanks for all the answers. Thank you very much, jowady. So… The photo was taken before the terrible and bloody battles of Second Bull Run and Antietam, where the Iron Brigade fought with great tenacity and suffered high casualties. |
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