During this campaign but little has been
written of the part taken in the* battles by
Gen. Gibbon’s, “Iron Brigade, of the
trialsand hardships which the sons of the
lay West have endured in “Dixie’s land,”
and but little praise has been awarded to
the officers in command who have led
their brave comrades on to victory and
imperishable glory. Comparatively few
are there away from the blotal-stained soil
of Virginia and Maryland who know how
Wisconsin’s sons have taken the lead in
fierce conflicts, with Indiana’s noble 19th
by their side. That great battles were
fought during the period a’.iove mentioned
is known to every school boy in the land,
but of the indivual deeds of heroism and
the conspicuons parts performed by the
distil guished regiments of Gibbon’s late
command, very little has appeared in print.
As I am devoting this article more par
ticularly to the 7th, it may be well to state
that the Colonel in command, W. W. Rob
inson, is the senior Colonel of the Brigade,
and in every respect a gentleman and a
brave officer. It was at the battle of
Gainsville, Va., on the 25th of August,
J 862, that Gen. Gibbons’ command of
western troops comprising the Wisconsin
2d, 6th, 7th, and Indiana 19th, engaged a
full Division of the enemy, and after a des
perate engagement, defeated them; though
we gained a triumphant victory, the rank
and file of the Brigade was sadly decim
ated. The loss of this Regiment in killed
and wounded was 217, among the field of
ficers wounded were Cel. W. W. Robinson,
Lt. Col. C. A. Hamilton and Maj. Bill.
These officers acquitted themselves in the
most praiseworthy manner.
