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Free Talk About the 19th Indiana and the Iron Brigade, April 9, 2025

Live in Chicago and on Zoom | April 9, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. CST
📍 Zoom ID: 845 3227 1496 | No Passcode Required
Brought to you by the Civil War Round Table of Chicago
https://www.chicagocwrt.org/index.html

The Iron Brigade—famed for their black Hardee hats and fierce reputation—is often remembered as Wisconsin’s pride. But the 19th Indiana Infantry was there from the beginning. On April 9, Phil Spaugy, a senior editor who writes “Of Arms and Men” for Military Images, will share the compelling story of this hard-fighting Hoosier regiment.

At Gettysburg, the 19th Indiana fought valiantly along Willoughby Run, bearing the brunt of the July 1 assault with grim tenacity. They suffered a 62% casualty rate in a single day—an astonishing toll. Five color bearers fell carrying the flag. Their colonel, Samuel J. Williams, a farmer from Indiana with Virginia roots, was wounded at Gettysburg and later killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness.

Phil brings decades of experience to this story. A longtime member of the North South Skirmish Association, he has live-fired nearly every type of Civil War firearm. His expertise in infantry arms, uniforms, and accouterments—especially those connected to the Iron Brigade of the West—makes him one of the most sought-after voices in the field.

In addition to his work for Military Images, Phil is the Arms Columnist for The Civil War Monitor and serves as a historical consultant to the Adams County Historical Society and Civil War News. He and his wife, Amy, live in Vandalia, Ohio.

Whether you attend in person or tune in via Zoom, this is a talk you won’t want to miss.

📆 Mark your calendar: Wednesday, April 9
💻 Zoom Meeting ID: 845 3227 1496
🕢 7:30 p.m. CST | No passcode required

Preserving History, Shaping the Present at a National Military Park

At Military Images, we know that every historical photograph is more than just an image—it’s a window into the past, offering valuable insights for today’s Americans. That’s why we were honored to receive a recent request from the National Park Service to include one of our published photographs in a Cultural Landscape Report for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park’s Point Park.

The image, a rare carte de visite of a Confederate military encampment atop Lookout Mountain, was originally featured in our Autumn 2018 issue as part of a “Linns of Lookout.” Its inclusion in this report underscores the continued relevance of Civil War photography.

The owner of the image, Dr. Anthony Hodges, a lifelong collector and dedicated steward of Chickamauga and Chattanooga history, has spent more than 40 years serving the National Military Park. His passion for historical preservation is a reminder that these images are not just relics of the past—they are essential to understanding our national story.

This request is just one example of how Military Images contributes to our ongoing mission to showcase, interpret, and preserve historic photography. We are delighted to play a role in ensuring that the stories of the Civil War—and the landscapes that shaped them—remain visible and meaningful for future generations.