The Iron Brigade Association, established in 1880 in Milwaukee by veterans of the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiments, the 19th Indiana, the 24th Michigan, and Battery B of the 4th U.S. Light Artillery, is once again accepting new members. This historic association, formed to honor the valor and camaraderie of the Iron Brigade’s soldiers, is now welcoming all individuals with an interest in the brigade’s storied history. The association had initially been exclusive to veterans, but in 1990, after a call for renewal by two sons of Iron Brigade veterans, William H. Upham of Milwaukee and James F. Sullivan of New Port Richey, Florida, membership was expanded to include descendants and anyone passionate about the Brigade’s legacy.
The tradition of the Iron Brigade Association was rooted in the veterans’ desire to commemorate their service, and by 1897, membership was extended to their children and grandchildren. This expansion helped keep the memory of the Brigade alive across generations. However, it wasn’t until 1990 that the Iron Brigade Association experienced a revival, with Upham and Sullivan organizing the first formal reunion in over fifty years. This reunion, marking more than 129 years since the original members marched off to war, also marked the beginning of the association’s affiliation with the Military Civil War Round Table (MCWRT). The MCWRT took over the operational responsibilities of the Iron Brigade Association, including maintaining an official roster and organizing reunions.
The 1990 reunion was a landmark event, gathering descendants of the Brigade’s original members, including Sullivan and Upham, who shared their fathers’ stories with attendees. Sullivan, the son of Sgt. James P. Sullivan of the 6th Wisconsin, and Upham, the son of William Upham of the 2nd Wisconsin, both spoke about their fathers’ deep pride in their service during the Civil War. Sullivan reflected on how the war was the “high point in their lives” and how their fathers spoke often of the sacrifices made to preserve the Union. The 1990 reunion, which took place more than a century after the original soldiers marched to war, also featured prominent Civil War historians like Alan T. Nolan and John Y. Simon, who contributed to the scholarly exploration of the Brigade’s enduring significance.
The last official reunion of the Iron Brigade Association took place in October 1997 as part of the 50th anniversary of the Civil War Round Table of Milwaukee. This event, which featured lectures by Civil War authors and a dramatic recreation of the 1885 reunion of the Iron Brigade, offered a poignant tribute to the legacy of this renowned fighting unit. The Iron Brigade earned its moniker from Union commander Gen. George B. McClellan after their fierce performance at the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland on September 14, 1862. The bravery and tenacity displayed by the Iron Brigade in numerous engagements earned them a place in American military history and ensured their legacy as one of the most celebrated units of the Civil War. Through reunions, research, and educational outreach, the Iron Brigade Association continues to honor that legacy and invites new members to join in preserving this remarkable chapter of American history.
“They gave a glamour and a display both fearful and entrancing”
— E.E. Stickley, Jackson Brigade, (CSA)
at Antietam describing the appearance of the Iron Brigade
