One of prized holdings
of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison is the flag presented to the
regiments of the Iron Brigade 150 years ago this month. The new flag was the
effort of a group of citizens. They were proud of the brigade’s record at
Gettysburg and elsewhere (“one of the most glorious organizations in the entire
army,” a New York Times correspondent
called it), raised $1,000, and commissioned Tiffany & Co. of New York to
produce a banner of the richest construction “as a testimonial of the
appreciation in which the Brigade is held for its bravery, gallantry and
valor.” The flag carried the names of
the five regiments and the various battle honors. It was mounted on a special
staff with a massive silver spear head. It was to be presented on September 17,
1863, the one year anniversary of Antietam, with a great flourish. Before the
event occurred, however, orders put the brigade on the march.
Nevertheless, on the
appointed day, W. Yates Selleck of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s military agent at
Washington caught up with the brigade at Culpepper, Va. The regiments were
drawn up in a square. The presentation had “no splendid bower nor distinguished
guests,” said one officer, but the “victuals” were on hand and “the liquors.”
Selleck gave a brief speech and presented the flag to Col. William Robinson of
the 7th Wisconsin, then the brigade commander. As fitting, the oldest regiment,
the 2nd Wisconsin, served as the official escort for the new colors. One of the
highlights was the reading of a letter by Selleck from the army’s old
commander, George B. McClellan: “My heart and prayers are ever with them, and
that, although their new colors can witness no more brilliant acts of
patriotism and devotion than those which the old torn flags have shared in, I
know that on every future field, they and the whole Army of the Potomac, will
maintain their part, and the honor of their country and their colors.”
Afterwards, the
officers made for the full tables and a Wisconsin officer noted for his
temperance views wrote his sweetheart that
it soon turned into “an affair that conferred little honor on the
brigade, as gentlemen. I feel glad to say there were a few exceptions.” He also
reported that the brigade officers and visiting generals “and staff officers within
any convenient distance of us were almost unanimously drunk last night. We will
see an account of the presentation in the New York Times, as I saw the ‘graphic
and reliable’ correspondent of that paper guzzling champagne and wine with the
rest of them.”
One Badger called it
“a most disgraceful thing that spoiled the whole.” The officers had secured
several barrels of whiskey and “most all got drunk.” A guard was posted by the
whiskey barrels, the soldier said, but ‘the guard got drunk and the tables kicked
down and the result was that most of the whole Brigade was drunk and the supper
that was prepared for us was spoiled.” It was a spree of such epic proportions
that it went on for two days and disturbed the sleep of the enlisted men. The
rank and file, one private said, “got what they could swipe, which was not a
small amount.” Another private called it “a gala day.” The new glorious flag
had no official place with the brigade, however. Unable to keep it because
regulations forbad all but official banners, the officers of the five regiments
resolved to send the flag to Washington with Wisconsin Agent Selleck.
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