Customer Reviews

THOSE DAMNED BLACK HATS!: The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign

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I have read so much on the heroic actions of the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg that I didn't think I could find much more that would be new to me. But Lance Herdegen has put together a fabulous work on this subject with "Those Damned Black Hats - The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign".

Recollections taken from letters written by survivors of the Brigade help to recount the story of the brigade's gallant actions in the fields and wood lots west of Gettysburg on July 1st, as well as their minor contributions on the 2nd and 3rd on Culp's Hill. Many wartime photos of Iron Brigade soldiers and maps of the troops' positions help tell the story.

Interestingly, Herdegen includes a few chapters that deal with the brigade's actions during Grant's push into Virginia in 1864. I wasn't expecting this, as the book was to deal with the Gettysburg campaign only, so I thought. But these sections work seamlessly with the main focus of the book, as it helps the reader to follow the men who fought at Gettysburg through to the conclusion of the war.

The final chapters deal with the various Iron Brigade veterans associations and their reunions and meetings with former Confederate foes during visits to the field in their final years. I found these accounts very interesting indeed... and rather touching.

A fine addition to the library of all who are interested in The Iron Brigade and The Gettysburg Campaign in general.

As a Civil War and history buff, I eagerly awaited Lance Herdegen's latest book. Herdegen continues to try and tell the individual stories of the men who fought in the Civil War, and placing those stories in the greater context of the struggle. With his reporter's eye for detail, the reader smells the dust of these men marching to Gettysburg, and the cold of the winter before Fredericksburg.

I was on a recent business trip and a colleague, who is not a history fan, asked if I had any books to help her read herself to sleep. I had just finished this tale of the Iron Brigade, and offered it to her. The next morning she complained that it did not help her to sleep; instead she was drawn by the individual stories of the men of the Iron Brigade.

So if you are a Civil War devotee, or just fascinated by the real stories of young men in a time of change, I would highly recommend this book.

Who knew that more could be written about the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg and that it could be done so well! Lance Herdegen follows the tall, tough, black-hatted Western soldiers of the Iron Brigade on the road to Gettysburg and beyond.

This is a story about people under unique circumstances during a unique time and their ability to rise to the occasion. It is not a story of massive, impersonal armies moving here and there, it is a story about what people experienced for a few hot days in July in a place they never heard of before.

This is not your average military history - it is better. Herdegen adds to the story of the Iron Brigade by using newly discovered primary documents - letters, diaries and more to deftly to create an eminently readable mix of social and military history done as no one else can.

These are the stories of raw young men, far from home, doing their duty as only the young men of that era could.

The Iron Brigade (or the Black Hats) was one of the great fighting units of the Union Army of the Potomac. One unique factor was that all the regiments for the brigade came from the West--Indiana, Michigan (the 24th Michigan joined the brigade later in its existence), and Wisconsin, and the troops were proud of that. Their inaugural battle as a brigade was a toe-to-toe exchange of fire with the Stonewall Brigade at Brawner's Farm (or Groveton). And they held their own. They, according to one story, earned the sobriquet "Iron Brigade" at South Mountain, as General George McClellan allegedly noted that the brigade was made of iron. But its legend culminated at the great battle fought at Gettysburg--when the unit was pretty much wrecked.

What makes this book special is its human perspective. Using letters, diaries, etc., we get a much more ground level view of the men in the Iron Brigade--from pri8vates to regimental leaders. It is a wonderful match for Nolan's early 1960s volume, "The Iron Brigade." Where does the title come from? Comments attributed to some Confederates advancing up McPherson's Ridge at the first day of Gettysburg. . . . They thought they were fighting militia and dismounted cavalry. When the saw the high black hats (Hardee hats) of the brigade, it is alleged that one of the southerners cried out: "There are them black hatted fellows again. Tain't no militia; it's the Army of the Potomac."

On the first day at Gettysburg, General John Buford's cavalry were engaged by forces in the division of Harry Heth. They held their own for awhile, but the numbers pressing against them were too much for them to hold all morning. At that point, General John Reynolds, commanding the First Corps, arrived, moving the troops of his First Division onto the field. He personally arranged for the Iron Brigade to take on an advancing Confederate brigade under Archer. He was killed, but the Iron Brigade routed their counterparts. And bought precious time for the Army of the Potomac. As the day wore on, the Union forces could not stand the pressure from North and West; the brigade retreated sullenly, making a final stand on Seminary Ridge before the Union forces finally broke. Only remnants of the Iron Brigade remained. Yet the survivors stubbornly participated over the next two days.

The story of the Black Hats continues, as a much reduced force, having Eastern units swell its ranks. Thus ended their sense of uniqueness as a Western unit. Although the brigade continued after Gettysburg, it was no longer a major fighting force as it had been.

A terrific view of the individuals within the Iron Brigade as well as a good account of their exploits. If interested in unit histories--especially those looking at the individuals within the unit--this is first rate.

Herdegen's "Those Damned Black Hats" is a powerful and moving story of the 2nd, 6th, 7th Wisc, 19th Indiana and 24th Michigan in the fighting of July 12-3 1863, Gettysburg. The book uses many previous unused primary sources which give the reader a much more human insight into the fighting solider of the Iron Brigade during this time. What I didn't realize was how the Black Hats came together with their foes in friendship at the Gettysburg reunions of 1903 and 1913. The book contains excellent maps and many previously unseen photos of the Black Hats. Also included is a list of all who registered at the Iron Brigade Tent during the 50th anniversary of the battle. The "Damned Black Hats" is well-written and 1st rate scholarship

I'm always interested in a new book about the hard fighting Iron Brigade of the West and when it's written by Lance Herdegen, it doesn't get much better than that.

If you are just discovering this Union Brigade, you'll find a wealth of information in these pages. If you are not new to this Brigade and think you know all the stories - you'll enjoy this book, too. It brings all the well known stories, plus new ones, into one volume of easy reading. I, for one, am glad that Lance has given us a before, during and after look at this Western Brigade at Gettysburg, as their "history" is fascinating and bears repeating. The tales from the soldier reunions after the war gives a more complete picture of these men from the West who fought in the East.

This new book will be a welcome addition to anyone's Iron Brigade or Gettysburg library.

I am not going to snipe at the 2 star review. The reviewer is sincere, I presume, and his comments have a certain merit.

However, I found "Those Damned Black Hats" to be an excellent read, as well as serving an additional purpose I have not seen commented on yet. An immense amount of research has gone into this work by Mr. Herdegen and it shows. One of the reasons I found this work so enjoyable is that I have given tours at Gettysburg since I was 18 years old (I am 65 now), and Herdegen's book is a great gift to tour hosts! Take this book, read it, make notes, then walk the battlefield with your family and friends and you will see at once why works of this kind are so important. It is one thing to know all the facts, but it is something else to know about the pain. The next tour I give, God willing, I will use this book to put flesh on the currently manicured battle area for the first day's fighting.

One other comment. In my opinion, Savas Beatie is publishing the best line of Civil War books right now. Not from a technical standpoint, but from a content standpoint. I am aware of the typographical errors, but I don't let them get in the way of the content. A few typographical errors is a small price to pay for a steady stream of quality history.

The Iron Brigade was one of the premier combat units of the Army of the Potomac. Comprised of western regiments their distinctive headgear made them stand out in any formation. Headgear is not a combat record but the Iron Brigade compiled a very distinguished one in a very short time. They bore the proud designation of First Brigade, First Division, and First Corps, a heavy responsibility that they never shirked.
I expected a history of the brigade and the book provides a good one. There is enough history to allow us to understand how the brigade received its' name and designation.
I expected a history of the fighting on July 1, 1863 and the book provides an excellent account of that day. There are sufficient tactical details to make an understandable account without being bogged down and losing sight of the overall battle. The author is able to focus us on the Iron Brigade without losing sight of the bigger battle, keeping us in both the sharp tactical fighting details and making clear the general course of the battle.
I expected a history of the regiments that made up the brigade to the end of the war. The book provides a clear account of the different paths each of the regiments took after Gettysburg. These three-year regiments had to reenlist in 1864 to maintain their regimental designation. We have an excellent account of what happens first to the Iron Brigade after the devastation of Gettysburg and after I Corps is disbanded. This gives the reader a look into the problems associated with maintaining regiments over time. This is the saddest part of the book and we understand the heartache of these men when associations built in battle were broken.
I expected a post war history too. Again, the book does not disappoint providing an excellent look at the associations formed and the histories written after the war. A secondary story is how a Western Brigade fared in an Eastern Army. We have very little about the politics of Union veteran associations and this is a valuable contribution.
What I did not expect was the author's ability to make Gettysburg a personal experience! The fighting is a combination of the standard "Company F fired a volley" and the words of the men firing that volley. I have never read a Gettysburg book that rendered the battle in such personal detail. This was almost talking to these men and hearing them describe what they did.
This is an excellent book, full of historical details and personal experiences. The author has done an excellent job in pulling this all together in a very readable and enjoyable book. Bradley M. Gottfried's excellent maps both complement and support the text. This is another excellent Civil War book from Savas Beatie and is entitled to full membership in that exclusive club.

I am a big fan of the 'Black Hats' and eagerly anticipated this book. I was a bit surprised by the format, pleasantly surprised. This is an excellent telling of the history of the Brigade at Gettysburg and beyond, not for battle minutiae, but for the personal recollections of the 'Hats" themselves. More of this type is needed in Civil War scholarship, personal experience. To read of how the common soldier felt and reacted to battle is refreshing. One gets the feel of what it was like to be there. I highly recommend you read this book. I loved it. Now, when I walk amongst the trees of Herbst's Wood I can now understand how they felt.

Joe Truglio, President, Phil Kearny CWRT

With great skill, Mr. Herdegen tells the "story" of the Black Hats. Reading the tale, sometimes we cry and sometimes we laugh, but always we get into the heart and soul of these brave men as they fought in a young America's greatest battle. It is so difficult now to read anything new about Gettysburg, but Mr. Herdegen has taken the old story and made it new and fresh.