The First Iron Brigade

Source

While doing research for a possible fictional account of the Civil War, I happened to look up my great grandfather's regiment, the 22nd New York Infantry Regiment. Curiosity, perhaps looking for a connection to the story of that regiment which I could use in my fictional account.

Little did I know that his regiment was part of the Iron Brigade, no, not the "black hat boys" of the West, but a regiment composed of Eastern units. These regiments:

• the 22nd New York,
• the 24th New York,
• the 30th New York,
• the 14th Regiment (New York State Militia, also known as the 14th Brooklyn), and the
• 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters (sometimes known as Berdan's Sharpshooters).

This Iron Brigade, sometimes known as the Eastern Iron Brigade or the First Iron Brigade had gained their moniker after a march from Catlett's Station to Falmouth, Virginia (29 miles) when Brigadier General Marsena R. Patrick remarked to their brigade commander:

"Your men must be made of iron to make such marches."

Of course, the troops quickly adopted that nickname. (Who wouldn't?) If you chase down the source of the opening photo, you'll see that the Union army had at least three "Iron Brigades," and the Confederacy had one as well. I mean, it is an awesome nickname.

Now my great grandfather is listed on the muster rolls as being 18 years old. (You can read those rolls here. Great-Grandpa Joseph was in Company K.) As the regiment was mustered into service on the 6th of June, 1861, that would mean my ancestor was born in 1843. Family records indicate that he was born in 1840, thus he was actually 21 years old at the time. If the records are accurate.

Now Great Grandpa Joseph was born in Quebec and grew up speaking French. Many of my grandfather's siblings also spoke French (as did my grandfather) and some had no English at all. Perhaps there was a language issue at the time of his enlistment, he wasn't born "Goodrich," according to this (and other sources) -

Joseph Gaudry, alias Goodrich

 

One of the veterans of the civil war in the person of Joseph Gaudry, alias Goodrich, died on the 12th inst. at the St. Johnsbury Hospital at the age of 64 years and six months, after an illness of over three months, which he bore in a truly edifying spirit of Christian resignation and patience. At the opening of the civil war in 1861 Mr. Gaudry enlisted in the 22nd regiment of New York and took part in ten of the principal battles of the war, among them that of Bull Run. He was one of the war pensioners. On his return to Vermont he made his home in Danville. He leaves a wife and seven children, three sons and four daughters, two of whom are married: Mrs. Patrick Demanche and Mrs. Paquin, both of St. Johnsbury. The funeral was held Friday morning from Notre Dame des Victoires church, Rev. J. A. Boissonault officiating.

 

[The Caledonian, St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Wednesday, April 19, 1905, transcribed by Mary Kay Krogman]. Source

It wasn't uncommon for the French to have another sobriquet other than their actual family name. While we see here "Gaudry, alias Goodrich," in French we would see "Gaudry, dit Goodrich." In other words, "Gaudry, called Goodrich." Family tradition has it that perhaps he grew tired of the English speakers mispronouncing his name. (My grandfather, when in his cups, would tell us of our "real" name. He also knew a number of rude songs in French which would cause my mother and grandmother to quickly chase my brothers and me from the room.)

One family legend holds that my great-grandfather was captured at Second Bull Run, very plausible as the 22nd New York suffered the following casualties at that battle -

The regiment lost 10 officers and 42 men killed or mortally wounded, 9 officers and 55 men wounded, and 4 officers and 60 men missing out of 379 engaged. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was mortally wounded and Captain George Clendon of Company E was wounded. Source

Prisoner exchanges were still being held at this time, so I'm guessing he was either exchanged or turned up a few days after the battle. Missing sometimes means just that, the unit doesn't know where everybody is after a battle, so they're listed as "Missing" unless someone can actually verify that they were seen to be killed or wounded. Battles are messy, confusing affairs, it wasn't unusual for men to be separated from the colors for any number of reasons.

As the record above indicates Great-Grandpa Joseph participated in "ten of the principal battles of the war," he must have been at Antietam, where again the 22nd New York had a rough time -

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel McKie, the regiment lost 1 officer and 6 men killed or mortally wounded, and 1 officer and 22 men wounded out of 100 engaged while advancing through the Cornfield in the early morning. Source

The muster roll for the 22nd New York shows that Great-Grandpa Joseph was a two-year enlistee. The 22nd went back to New York in June of 1863 (before Gettysburg) and was mustered out of service. The men who had enlisted for three years were sent to the 93rd New York Infantry Regiment. The 93rd was at Gettysburg but was held back as a provost guard. (Minding the baggage, guarding the headquarters, rounding up stragglers, and the like.)

I'm not sure if he mustered out in June 0f 1863 and went home to Vermont, or if he continued in service. I do know that there is a grave marker in St. Johnsbury, Vermont which looks like this -

Source

The tombstone says "Co.K. 22nd N.Y.INF." which is correct, it was the unit he went to war with, was it his only unit? Did he muster out or did he go on to fight in other battles? Based on personal experience, relatives go through papers and the like after a family member dies and glean what information they can from the available records.

Perhaps they had a copy of the 22nd's muster roll from 1861, perhaps everyone just knew that was the unit he served in. Perhaps Great-Grandpa Joseph told tales of that unit and when he served in it.

I wish I knew.

It is interesting to note that he was with the regiment when it marched through Baltimore on its way to Washington DC -

While transferring between train stations in Baltimore, Private Edward Burge of Company I was shot and killed by a mob. The regiment returned fire, wounding several civilians, before Baltimore police intervened. Source

There was a riot in Baltimore during that time period, Union troops were attacked and there was violence. (Maryland was a very divided state in the Civil War, regiments from Maryland fought on both sides!)

Interestingly, the 1861 muster roll shows no Private Edward Burge as being a member of the 22nd's I Company. However, this source has this to say -

Co. I. Edward Burge, Private. Baltimore Killed June 30, '61

Also this

The Court of Investigation and Inquest connected with the Baltimore affair have, as yet, made no formal report, but upon consultation with a majority of its members, I learn that the preponderance of evidence goes largely to show that private Burge of the Adirondack Rangers was killed by a shot from above; and I have just learned to-day for the first that the word was passed along the left flank, "they are firing on us from the roof." It is, I know, the prevailing belief in Camp, that Burge was killed by a Baltimorean, and furthermore that his death was not unavenged.

Some sources indicate that he was killed by friendly fire, the accounts given in the source above would seem to indicate otherwise. (The source has newspaper accounts and letters from the men of the 22nd during its time in service.)

History leaves behind many mysteries. It's amazing what one might find when you start digging.

Back to my research!