Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Can This Be So?

Brooklyn Daily Eagle-
 May 17, 1862:

  "CAN THIS BE SO? - The Washington correspondent of the Tribune states that some of the prisoners recently released from Richmond say that private Holmes of the Brooklyn Fourteenth regiment who had escaped from a tobacco warehouse, was recently hung in the Confederate capitol on a charge of forging Confederate notes. We would rather not believe this statement, but if found to be correct one of the greasy Confederate prisoners should be hung in order to balance accounts."

Letter to the Brooklyn Eagle

COL. FOWLER AND THE BROOKLYN 14TH REGIMENT.

MR. EDITOR:--Dear Sir,—I have often noticed in your paper something about the Brooklyn 14th Regiment, and as the relatives and friends of such are always glad to hear, through your much esteemed paper, something good about the regiment, please permit me through your paper to say a word about its Colonel.

I think the regiment has not received credit for half the good it has done towards putting down this dreadful rebellion; the Colonel, whose name is well known throughout the Union, having been mentioned so often in reports from battle-fields has not had the correct title attached to it. I say it should be Gen. Fowler, instead of Col. Fowler, for I know how deserving the soldier is of such rank; as to his abilities, he has not his equal below the position of Major-General. He has been with the regiment since it left Brooklyn, and has led the regiment in every battle it has been in, and the papers North and South have already acknowledged that the 14th Regiment of Brooklyn has done more hard fighting and punished the enemy more than any other regiment in the army; it will be useless for me to go any farther to make known his abilities as a Colonel.

Colonel Fowler has much of the time acted as Brigadier-General—at the battle of Gettysburg he commanded the second brigade, first division, first army corps. Permit me to say that I have conversed with many prominent army officers about his conduct, and I firmly believe that he displayed the abilities of a Napoleon, as he was attacked by a superior force of the enemy, which he repulsed and captured many prisoners. The second brigade should never cease to honor him or the success they met with while under his command; such a soldier should have a higher position than that of Colonel, and as the government is aware of his fitness for the position of Brigadier General, it only remains for the citizens of Brooklyn to step forward and make known that they desire to have him promoted and it will be done. Such a brave and able officer must be put forward, and I now ask the people of Brooklyn to show that they appreciate the conduct of the brave men of the 14th Regiment N. Y. S. Militia, by demanding the promotion of Col. Fowler to the position of Brigadier General.

By giving the above a space in your valuable paper you will much oblige one who studies the interest of the Brooklyn 14th Regiment, and is acquainted with Col. Fowler.

G. W. H.

14th Brooklyn at the Rail Road Cut

An Oil painting by Alan C. Redwood depicting the 14th Brooklyn attacking the railroad cut at the battle of Gettysburg - Redwood was a member of the 55th Virginia - Part of Davis's Confederate brigade defending the Cut - Redwood painted this after the war. interestingly The telegraph poles shown in the painting were not there during the battle - The original painting is currently on display at the New York State military Museum in Saratoga Springs NY right next to an original 14th Brooklyn uniform displayed in a case.

Tiger Zouaves Vs. The Brooklyn 14th and 11th NY Fire Zouaves

The Tigers at Bull Run

As the battle shifted to Henry Hill after 1:00 P.M., some “New Orleans Zouaves and Alabamians” were assembled into a "makeshift battalion" at Beauregard’s headquarters. The "makeshift battalion" was placed under Colonel Francis Thomas, a Maryland ordnance officer from the general staff. Thomas led the ad hoc battalion to Henry Hill and it helped repel the Federal attacks during the latter stages of the fight. For example, some Tigers reportedly tangled with members of the already long engaged 11th NY and 14th Brooklyn (Fire Zouaves and Brooklyn Chasseurs) as both sides fought over Griffin's two abandoned guns on the south side of the hill.

For this particular attack, several red-shirted filibusters from the Walker Guards, the Delta Rangers, and the Old Dominion Guards, coupled with some colorful “New Orleans Zouaves” from the Tiger Rifles, just arrived with Colonel Thomas from “Portici,” were again asked to charge the enemy uphill and at close range. Griffin’s guns, the Tigers’ immediate objective, were situated on a small clear knoll about a hundred yards above their position. By the time the Tigers arrived, these guns had been fought over nearly all day by the Brooklyn Fourteenth, Fire Zouaves and the opposing Confederate Troops.

The Bloody Cornfield - Maryland My Maryland

Please sit back and enjoy this movie I made from a bunch of footage and images from Maryland My Maryland.. 

It was an amazing event. 

Camp Prospect: Falmouth, Virginia - May 1862

In May of 1862 the fourteenth Retired to Camp Prospect (A Camp We're Still Trying to find the exact location of!) to be refitted and get some much needed rest along with the rest of the First Iron Brigade.

 Some men from Brig. Gen. James Shield's Command made some sideways comments to the men of Fourteenth. And Sticking to their reputation, which must have been unknown to "Shield's Men" the Brooklyn boys had to set them straight.

Below is an eye witness account from the "History of the Fighting Fourteenth". This isn't the first time we've come across our Brooklyn boys beating up other units for talking trash about them and their Uniforms, Fighting Ability and Baseball Prowess!

Camp Prospect
Falmouth Virginia
May 1862

"The memories of Camp Prospect are pleasant ones. A good portion 
of the time was spent in perfecting drills, and with the coming of delight- 
ful weather this work took on an added interest. The command was 
completely refitted and uniformed, a very necessary business, as the 
ravages of battle and the variegated styles of weather with which the 
regiment had been afflicted had played havoc with the initial clothing outfit 
of the men. An exhibition drill and review for the benefit of a number 
of visiting English noblemen was one of the events of importance during 
this period. A reconnaissance with the cavalry and a little unpleasantness, 
which might properly be called a misunderstanding, with the men of Shields' 
command from the valley were other memorable happenings. 

"Bandbox Soldiers" was the term applied to the boys of the Four- 
teenth when the men from the valley first marched into camp. Unfor- 
tunately for some of them, they could not believe that men who wore 
bright uniforms, clean shirts and paper collars could fight, and they said 
so in a picturesque assortment of terms. But they were shown their mistake. 

It was amply proved to them that pluck and muscle could be 
found as well under clean clothes as dirty ones. "

Brooklyn Infantry Tactics - In Fowler's Own Words

There has been much debate lately within the Fourteenth Brooklyn Reenacting Community as to which manuals were used Early War, Mid War, and Late War by the Fourteenth Brooklyn. Simple things have fueled this investigation. For instance the way the Monument at Gettysburg's Rail Road Cut depicts him Loading his Musket. Which we now know was a veteran of the 14th Brooklyn N.Y.S.M.

Up until recently, we believed it was all "hardee's light infantry tactics" during their entire 3 year enlistment. We did know that in the 1850's they used Scott's. Thanks to A diary entry we found a couple years ago from Charles Teasdale of Company E, we know that in 1863 the Fourteenth Brooklyn Began using Casey's Light Infantry Tactics.

Note His Loading Style

This diary entry was the only actual mention of any form of tactical manual that we had to go off of.  That is until we remembered that someone had given us a transcript, well more of an excerpt from a Letter that Colonel E.B. Fowler had written home sometime in 1862. It speaks on the Uniform, the early tactics and speaks lovingly about his Regiment the Fourteenth Brooklyn.


The Excerpt below is from a letter written by Col. Edward Brush Fowler. You'll find that it is strikingly similar to what he would later write in his own version of the History of the Fourteenth Brooklyn in 1883. Some of the verbiage is a bit different but it's nearly spot on to his later unfinished work. We present this to you, we are looking for another copy of this letter and so far have come up short, we were also given a horrible scan of Letter, but due to hard drive crashes and more it has been lost in a sea of emails.

"In 1860 the Board of Officers adopted the French 'chasseur' uniform, 
consisting of ashy red trousers, white leggings, a blue jacket, red chevrons 
and shoulder knots. A fixed to the head was to be a french style kepi with blue band, 
red above and blue top. 

Col. E.B. Fowler - 14th Brooklyn N.Y.S.M.

This change of uniform for the regiment was the first in many progressive steps of conformity. 
Later in early 1861 when the regiment arrived in Washington these improvements were matched 
by the introduction of the rifled musket and minie ball which took the place of the smooth bore with it's round ball and buckshot. 

A mixture of Gilhams' Militia Tactics and Hardee's translation of the French tactics were substituted 
for the old Scott "heavy infantry" tactics as well as its accompaniment of leather 
stock and pipe clayed belts. 

Little did the officers of that board dream that the uniform that they then adopted would become historic, sung of in poets' lays and transferred to the artist's canvas as that of the "red-legged 
devils," the Brooklyn Fourteenth."

Does this change how we view the 14th Brooklyn's Tactics of course! Should we change how we do things as a reenacting community, well that's up to you and your people. We are going to continue to research this subject, but this serves as a major milestone in the search for exactly what they used. If we can find another copy of this letter, this will be irrefutable evidence that the Fourteenth Used a Mixture of Gilham's and Hardee's Infantry Tactics.

Until then, learn Caseys', it's 1863 after all!

14th Brooklyn Private Study

Date Unknown - 14th brooklyn Private Study

End of the Old Iron Brigade

The Iron Brigade.
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, June 2, 1863.

What It Has Done During a Two Years Campaign—Regiments Composing the Brigade—Their Return Home—Colonel Phelps, of the Twenty-second, and His Military Career—The Brooklyn Fourteenth, &c., &c.

The old "Iron Brigade" is no more. One by one its Regiments have passed through Washington to their homes. Yesterday its commander left, and now, of that ..odly number who one year ago dashed down upon the Rappahannock, but a single regiment remains. Its career has been marked by brilliant deeds, and its path on the ..ld can be traced by the mounds above its sleeping heroes at Falmouth, Rappahannock Station, Sulphur Springs, Groveton and Gainesville; at Manassas Plains, ..uth Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Its work has been accomplished. With tattered banners and decimated ranks it once more turns to the pleasant paths of peace; but the spirit that is in its soldiers will not permit them to tarry long from the field, and we shall soon see old familiar faces, with the new, coming down to swell our armies. In 1861 the brigade encamped at Upton's Hill. General Keyes commanded it for a time, and then stepped higher up, turning over the command to General Andrew Porter. Then General Augur took it, captured Fredericksburg, and left them for a division, under Banks. Colonel Sullivan, of the Twenty-fourth New York regiment, succeeded General Augur; then came General Hatch, and lastly Colonel Phelps.

Last winter the Second United States Sharpshooters were detached from the brigade and assigned to duty with another corps, leaving the Fourteenth New York State Militia, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth and Thirtieth New York Volunteers. The Twenty-fourth and Thirtieth left several days since, and their departure and reception at home have been already chronicled. The Twenty-second passed through Washington last night, and the Fourteenth remains alone, but will probably be attached to some other brigade during the week.

Colonel Phelps assumed command of the brigade on the 14th of September last, led it in the brilliant charge at South Mountain, and in all the battles fought by the Army of the Potomac since that time. At Antietam the brigade suffered very heavily, the command passing over the same ground five times, driving the enemy and being repulsed by superior numbers. At Fredericksburg it was exposed to a terrible enfilading fire, and by its intrepidity won the encomiums of every general officer present. It was proposed some time since that Colonel Phelps should take the Fourteenth Brooklyn regiment to New York and recruit a new brigade. This was strongly urged by many of the commanding generals, but for some reason the request was not granted, and as a result the First brigade of the Army of the Potomac has passed out of existence. Every general of the corps has recommended Col. Phelps to the President for promotion. These recommendations were endorsed by Gen. Hooker in flattering terms, and, but for the fact that that brigade was composed of two years troops, Colonel Phelps would undoubtedly have been appointed brigadier general. He expects to return to the field, however, and will probably ere long receive his well earned star. Capt. Tillman, has Assistant Adjutant General, Brigade Surgeon Murdock and Lieut. Becker, A. D. C., leave the service with him. Captain Cranford, Brigade Commissary and Quartermaster Schenck will probably be assigned to duty near Washington, D. C.

Upon parting the officers of the staff were each presented with a beautiful badge of gold, bearing the names of the several regiments composing the brigade, and the names of battle fields upon which they have fought.

Source : NYS Military 

First Iron Brigade Reference

14th Brooklyn and 24th NY outside Camp, Falmouth Va. 62

Below is a NewsPaper Article we found on the NYS Website about the Iron Brigade, among other references. (You Will Find A Link To Our Source Below)


Please note that they make a mention that, all the regiments of the First Iron Brigade had "Iron Brigade Written On Their Flag.. We're going to research this further. Once we find out more on the flags, we will make a post as fast as we can!


IRON BRIGADE.—In the army of the Potomac was an "Iron Brigade," so called because of its fighting qualities, its endurance and its heroism. It was the admiration of the service, and frequently received special and flattering notice from the President and General Commanding. We see that some of our Western exchanges claim that the "Iron Brigade" was composed of the Second, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin, the Eighth Indiana and the twenty-fourth Michigan regiments." This is an error. The Fourteenth Brooklyn, Twenty-second, Twenty-fourth and Thirtieth New York were the only regiments forming the "Iron Brigade." The name was bestowed by Gen. Patrick, and is inscribed on the regimental flags of the above named regiments. 

Our Source

Lt. Clayton Scholes - Revolver

 Lt. Clayton Scholes' Tranter English Revolver

This .44 caliber revolver, serial number 2800, features a five-shot cylinder, octagon barrel, side loading lever, and the double-action trigger mechanism, all made of iron. The iron front sight is the post style inlaid into the barrel flat. The checkered hood grip shows slight wear. The cylinder does not have the serial number on the circumference but does have the proof marks between each nipple.

 The top flat is marked “W. Tranter's Patent” over “Hyde & Goodrich, Agents for the United States South.” There is decorative engraving on the frame, part of barrel, loading lever, trigger guard, and butt plate. William Tranter produced revolvers under license from Deane, Adams and Deane. Tranter improved the Adams self-cocking trigger with the double action trigger mechanism. Hyde & Goodrich, New Orleans made, bought, and imported “war supplied” guns. Condition: Good plain dark patina throughout with sharp edges. Mechanically, the revolver is sound and appears to be all original.

Provenance: Until now, in the possession of the family of Lt. Clayton Scholes, 14th New York Militia Co. I. He was killed at the Battle of First Manassas (Bull Run), July 1861. His brother traveled from Brooklyn, New York to retrieve the body and his personal effects. This revolver remained in the family. Affidavit of provenance included.Shipping: Flat Material, Large (view shipping information)

Zouaves and Chasseurs From The War

Source Unknown -

(1-2  4) Ellsworth's Zouave cadets (Chicago Zouaves) 

(3) sergeant 14th New york militia 

 (5) 11th New york volunteers (1st fire Zouave ) 

(6) 44th New york volunteers

The Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment Home This Evening.

The Fourteenth Brooklyn Regiment Home This Evening.

Published: November 1, 1863

The well-known and gallant Fourteenth regiment of Brooklyn, late Col. ALFRED M. WOOD, now Col. FOWLER, having received a furlough of twenty days, will reach Brooklyn this evening. The Fourteenth have been in the war for over two years; have seen most active service, bearing themselves with honor and gallantry in every engagement of the many in which they have participated.

It is proposed that the regiment have a fitting reception, and for that purpose, as there is no time to arrange for a formal one, that all the Brooklyn City regiments meet in mass meeting at the Brooklyn City Armory, Henry and Cranberry streets, this afternoon at 3 o'clock, and make such arrangements as the time will allow. It is probable that a formal reception will be given during the week. The Fourteenth come on to recruit.

NY TIMES - ARTICLE

Maj. William Debevoise - After Action Report - Antietam

Maj. William H. Debevoise

We took our position Tuesday Night with the rest of the Iron Brigade late Tuesday night, September 16 and the men slept on their arms. The regiment had just completed a series of marches and small skirmishes from South Mountain to Antietam Creek in pursuit of the enemy forces now near Sharpsburg.  Around 5:30 am on Wednesday September 17 we were awakened by enemy batteries firing upon our lines.
 I formed the regiment to march in support of General Gibbon’s brigade which at this time had already advanced forward to attack the enemy’s lines. We advanced through a thick belt of woods where Major General Hooker and his staff were located and came in directly to the rear of Campbell’s battery.  General Hooker directed Colonel Phelps’ to have our brigade move by the flank through an open field and into a cornfield in order to support Gibbon’s Brigade.

I moved the regiment under orders from Colonel Phelps’ across the open field, the direct and cross fire bombardment of the enemy batteries were heavy but the regiment and brigade moved forward without any loss. Once we reached the beginning of the cornfield the regiment deployed into battle line and moved cautiously into the cornfield. Colonel Post of the 2nd United States Sharpshooters moved up the pike running along the cornfield to our right flank.