Union 14th Brooklyn

Founded in 1847, the 14th Regiment of the New York State Militia, also known as the Brooklyn Chasseurs, became one of the hardest-fighting units in the Civil War.  They never backed down from a fight or left the field in a disorderly fashion. In 1860, the 14th adopted its distinctive uniform consisting of baggy red pantaloons, short blue jackets, white gaiters, and blue forage hats. Distinguishing themselves at the Battle of First Manassas with their savage and repeated assaults on Henry Hill, their colorful attire and bravery caused Confederate General Stonewall Jackson to shout to his men, “Hold on boys!  Here come those red-legged devils again!”  Their valor at the battle also caused Union commander General Irwin McDowell to coin the phrase, “Baptized by Fire,” which became the Red Legged Devils’ motto. The 14th Brooklyn fought with distinction in almost all the battles in the eastern theater of the war—First and Second Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilde