Iron Brigade Insignia Logo
This is probably my favorite graphic design project, inspired by the monuments on the Gettysburg battlefield after my visit there during the 145th anniversary of the battle on July 1 – 3, 2008.
Iron Brigade Insignia Logo. Digital graphic design copyright © 2008 Kristina Austin Scarcelli and may not be used in any manner without my permission. All rights reserved.
During the American Civil War, the Iron Brigade of the West, also known as the Black Hat Brigade for the dress Hardee hats the men wore, was one of the most disciplined and hardest fighting infantry units in the Union Army and was greatly feared by the enemy because of its tenacity and “iron” will.
It consisted of five volunteer infantry units from what was then considered the “western” states of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.
The Iron Brigade was most proud of its designation 1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps of the Army of the Potomac and it received its most lasting fame on July 1, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg.
The Iron Brigade of the West suffered the highest percentage of casualties of any brigade in the Civil War.
My Great Great Grandfather Abner Delos Austin was a member of the Iron Brigade, serving as a Private in Company I of the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded on that fateful day at Gettysburg but survived the war and was honorably discharged in 1865 at the age of 19.
Digital graphic design copyright © 2008 Kristina Austin Scarcelli and may not be used in any manner without my permission. All rights reserved.
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Your songs are wonderful and your Iron Brigade design (Blue) is GREAT! Take it from a Iron Brigade Re-Enactor (2nd Wisconsin)
Thank you, Dan! I am thrilled that you enjoy my work. Thanks for all you do to honor the memory of the Iron Brigade!
I’m seeing this for the first time in 2024, and I hope you still check back for replies occasionally. Thanks for posting this.
I’m a retired first responder (nursing assistant) who loves that I now have time to devote to my woodworking hobby. One of the main things I am doing is making themed hiking sticks. I’m originally from St.Louis, and my best stick so far I titled the Missouri drifter.
I’ve been living in the Madison WI area since 1979, and have learned about the iron Brigade, since moving here, and also when i visited Gettysburg in 1976. I want to make a themed hiking stick honoring them. Have you ever had your design made into a small medallion I could buy and use on the stick. I would love hiking in a Wisconsin state park like Governor Dodge or Devil’s lake with a stick I made myself that honors the Iron Brigade and Old Abe, the eagle mascot of the WI 8th infantry during the civil war. I already have a useable representation of Old Abe thanks to J. I. Case company.
James J. OBrien, Obieone Woods,103 Sixth Street, Waunakee,WI 53597
numinut@gmail.com