Tip o’ the hat to Jack Dempsey over at Michigan Civil War Blog, with a second tip towards Brian Downey over at behind AotW. I’m actually surprised, and a little ashamed to admit that I had absolutely no idea that there was another group that boasted the “Stonewall” nickname during the Civil War. Even worse, it was a bunch of Yankees. Yes, beyond our hero’s own “Stonewall Brigade,” there was apparently, the 17th Michigan “Stonewall Regiment.”

According to the 17th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company E, Inc.’s website, which is an excellent source and well worth a visit: The Seventeenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment was one of thirty-one (including the 102nd US Colored Troops) infantry regiments mustered in Michigan for Federal service. The Seventeenth was organized during the summer of 1862, and left for Washington D.C. on August  27, 1862. Leading the regiment was Colonel William H. Withington of Jackson Michigan. Withington was already a veteran having been a Captain in the 1st Michigan  (3 months) Infantry, captured at the battle of 1st Bull Run; released and then in command of the Seventeenth. Within two weeks of their arrival in the Capitol, the 982 officers and men received their baptism of fire at the battle of South Mountain, Maryland. Their heroic charge and capture of a Confederate brigade at Fox’s Gap earned them the nickname “the Stonewall Regiment.” Three days later they participated in the bloodiest single day in U.S. history…Antietam.

I believe that Jackson’s brigade became the only one of the war to have their nickname officially christened as their designation, but this group from The Wolverine State boasts a story of courage and tenacity too. However, this to me looks like an example of brand infringement and I wonder what the copyright attorney’s from brand-giants such as Coca-Cola would think.

Counselor Bonds, we await your expertise.