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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 26th JANUARY 2026
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN, 21st JULY 1861.
2nd WISCONSIN INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1861
Following the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 16th 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. The war department requested each state provide a certain number of regiments of volunteers. Wisconsin was requested to provide one regiment.
Following Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall’s call to arms, 36 companies of men were enrolled to volunteer for the war effort, enough for 3 regiments.
The Second Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was the second unit created from these original volunteer companies.
Governor Randal appointed 41 year old S. Park Coon Colonel of this new Regiment, who was a native of New York, had served as Wisconsin’s 2nd Attorney General, and was an influential Milwaukee County Democrat.
The Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Peck was from Ohio and had graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1851. Peck provided some professional military experience and training, verses the political appointee Coon.
The Regiment formally mustered into federal service on June 11th 1861. Despite President Lincoln’s original request for 3 month volunteers, by June the need had become apparent for longer enlistments, and the 2nd Wisconsin was mustered as a three year regiment.
The Regiment was transported to Washington DC, and saw its first combat at the First Bull Run in July 1861, in a Brigade under William T. Sherman.
At the battle the men wore state militia grey uniforms, causing the 2nd Wisconsin to receive friendly fire from Union troops mistaking them for Confederates.
Due to the 2nd Wisconsin being involved in many issues of friendly fire during the First Battle of Bull Run, the uniform was officially changed from the militia grey uniform to the official United Stated Uniform.
The official Iron Brigade uniform in October 1861 consisted of a Hardee Hat, the M1858, 9 button infantry frock coat, and regulation dark blue trousers. This uniform would be the most iconic uniform utilized by the 2nd Wisconsin for much of the regiments service.
According to a veteran of the 2nd Wisconsin, Cullen B. Aubery, the 2nd Wisconsin infantry regiment’s nickname was the “Ragged A** Second”.
According to Aubery this came “from the fact that the government contractors had run short of good material when they made the pantaloons”, giving the 2nd Wisconsin a raggedy appearance when on parade.
Colonel Coon was never comfortable in his role as a military man, he and Peck were to resign on July 30th with Coon returning to politics.
The 2nd Wisconsin went on to spend most of the war as a component of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac, and participated in most of the critical battles of the eastern theatre of the war.
It suffered the largest number of casualties as a percentage of its total enlistment of any Union Army unit in the war.
The casualties reduced the regiment to an “Independent Battalion” of two companies by July 1864, and the remaining battalion was consolidated into the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in November 1864.
Thanks to Mike Estell for his suggestion to produce the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment for The First Battle of Bull Run.
Its no co-incidence that the figure below has a passing resemblance to Mr Estell.
Many, many Thanks to Mike for everything he does at the JJDesigns Facebook Collectors Group Forum.
ALL FIGURES ARE NOW IN PRODUCTION.
THE FIRST SETS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN, 21st JULY 1861.
2nd WISCONSIN INFANTRY REGIMENT, 1861
Following the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 16th 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation to call for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion. The war department requested each state provide a certain number of regiments of volunteers. Wisconsin was requested to provide one regiment.
Following Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall’s call to arms, 36 companies of men were enrolled to volunteer for the war effort, enough for 3 regiments.
The Second Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was the second unit created from these original volunteer companies.
Governor Randal appointed 41 year old S. Park Coon Colonel of this new Regiment, who was a native of New York, had served as Wisconsin’s 2nd Attorney General, and was an influential Milwaukee County Democrat.
The Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Peck was from Ohio and had graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1851. Peck provided some professional military experience and training, verses the political appointee Coon.
The Regiment formally mustered into federal service on June 11th 1861. Despite President Lincoln’s original request for 3 month volunteers, by June the need had become apparent for longer enlistments, and the 2nd Wisconsin was mustered as a three year regiment.
The Regiment was transported to Washington DC, and saw its first combat at the First Bull Run in July 1861, in a Brigade under William T. Sherman.
At the battle the men wore state militia grey uniforms, causing the 2nd Wisconsin to receive friendly fire from Union troops mistaking them for Confederates.
Due to the 2nd Wisconsin being involved in many issues of friendly fire during the First Battle of Bull Run, the uniform was officially changed from the militia grey uniform to the official United Stated Uniform.
The official Iron Brigade uniform in October 1861 consisted of a Hardee Hat, the M1858, 9 button infantry frock coat, and regulation dark blue trousers. This uniform would be the most iconic uniform utilized by the 2nd Wisconsin for much of the regiments service.
According to a veteran of the 2nd Wisconsin, Cullen B. Aubery, the 2nd Wisconsin infantry regiment’s nickname was the “Ragged A** Second”.
According to Aubery this came “from the fact that the government contractors had run short of good material when they made the pantaloons”, giving the 2nd Wisconsin a raggedy appearance when on parade.
Colonel Coon was never comfortable in his role as a military man, he and Peck were to resign on July 30th with Coon returning to politics.
The 2nd Wisconsin went on to spend most of the war as a component of the famous Iron Brigade of the Army of the Potomac, and participated in most of the critical battles of the eastern theatre of the war.
It suffered the largest number of casualties as a percentage of its total enlistment of any Union Army unit in the war.
The casualties reduced the regiment to an “Independent Battalion” of two companies by July 1864, and the remaining battalion was consolidated into the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in November 1864.
Thanks to Mike Estell for his suggestion to produce the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment for The First Battle of Bull Run.
Its no co-incidence that the figure below has a passing resemblance to Mr Estell.
Many, many Thanks to Mike for everything he does at the JJDesigns Facebook Collectors Group Forum.
ALL FIGURES ARE NOW IN PRODUCTION.
THE FIRST SETS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
