Porter in Porter County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Iron Brigade

Photographed By Christopher Light, December 2006

1. Iron Brigade Marker

Inscription. Composed of infantry regiments from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Iron Brigade fought with Army of the Potomac during the Civil War (1861–1865). Received name for valor at battle of South Mountain, Maryland (1862). Sustained combat fatalities among the highest in the Union armies.

Erected 1995 by Indiana Historical Bureau; Porter County Tourism Commission; Indianapolis Civil War Round Table; David D. Porter Camp 116, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. (Marker Number 64.1995.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 41° 38.135′ N, 87° 3.463′ W. Marker is in Porter, Indiana, in Porter County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 20 and State Road 49, on the right when traveling east on U.S. 20. Located at the southeast corner of the SR-49 overpass. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chesterton IN 46304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Indiana State Police Dunes Park Post #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunes Hi-Way (approx. 0.6 miles away); The J.D. Marshall (approx. 1.7 miles away);

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Le Petit Fort (approx. 1.8 miles away); "Squall Causes Lake Disaster" (approx. 1.9 miles away); Dune Creek Watershed: What Makes It Special? (approx. 1.9 miles away); Cowles Bog (approx. 2 miles away); The Brown Mansion (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Porter.

More about this marker. The Indiana Troops in the Iron Brigade came from Marion County (Indianapolis). This location was selected as only U.S. 20 traverses the three states where the volunteers of the Iron Brigade originated.

Regarding Iron Brigade. The Iron Brigade was activated on October 1, 1861, upon the arrival in Washington, D.C., of the 7th Wisconsin. The regiments in the original Iron Brigade were the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, and the 19th Indiana. The brigade fought under the I Corps starting in 1862, when the Army of the Potomac was reorganized under Major General George B. McClellan. The 24th Michigan joined the brigade prior to the Battle of Fredericksburg.

The brigade fought in the Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine

Photographed By Christopher Light, December 2006

2. Iron Brigade Marker

Run, Overland, Richmond-Petersburg, and Appomattox campaigns.

The brigade took pride in its designation, “1st Brigade, 1st Division, I Corps,” under which it played a prominent role in the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. It repulsed the first Confederate offensive through Herbst’s Woods, capturing much of Brig. Gen. James J. Archer's Confederate brigade, and Archer himself. It suffered tremendous losses in the second, larger Confederate assault that afternoon.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. 19th Indiana Company A. (Submitted on May 4, 2007.)
2. Iron Brigade Homepage. (Submitted on September 27, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.)
3. Manassas National Battlefield Park. The second action, inwhich the Iron Brigade took part was the 1st Battle of Manassas. (Submitted on September 27, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

4. Gettysburg National Military Park. The Iron Brigade served in the Army of the Potomac and was present at the key battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1963 (Submitted on September 27, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

5. Antietam National Battlefield. The bloodiest day of the Civil War. The

Iron Brigade Marker (west face in need of paint) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

3. Iron Brigade Marker (west face in need of paint)

Iron Brigade participated. (Submitted on September 27, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

6. Fredericksburg and Spotslyvania County National Battlefield Memorial. Here too, the Iron Brigade served in the Union cause. (Submitted on September 27, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana.)

Iron Brigade Marker (east face in need of paint) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

4. Iron Brigade Marker (east face in need of paint)

Marker in Front of Hwy 49 Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lou Donkle, July 10, 2022

5. Marker in Front of Hwy 49 Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,620 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2007, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 26, 2022, by Lou Donkle of Valparaiso, Indiana. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.