What regiments would you pick?

[Mississippian1861]

When Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac in early 1863 he directed the 6th Corps to form a "Light Division" (a brigade in reality). These regiments: 6th Maine, 31st New York, 43rd New York, 61st Pennsylvania, & 5th Wisconsin were used as a test bed for how the army could increase it's mobility, and were drilled especially in skirmish and outpost duty. They were also particularly good in assaulting positions as shown at the storming of Mayre's Heights during 2nd Fredericksburg. Even after the division was disbanded, these regiments took part in several successful storming actions at places like Rappahannock Station and Upton's first assault at Spotsylvania. With that in mind, if the idea had been expanded to the other six corps of the army, what regiments do you think should have been considered for their particular corps?

 

[Stryker65]

Interesting to note that the Union did in fact repeat the idea after the disbandment of the Light Division. Two such "light" infantry brigades fought with Pleasonton's Cavalry Corps at Brandy Station, these being:

Ames's Brigade: Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames
- 86th and 124th New York (3rd Army Corps)
- 33rd Massachusetts (11th Army Corps)
- 2nd Massachusetts and 3rd Wisconsin (12th Army Corps)

Russell's Brigade: Brig. Gen. David A. Russell
- 56th Pennsylvania; and 2nd and 7th Wisconsin (1st Army Corps)
- 5th New Hampshire and 81st Pennsylvania (2nd Army Corps)
- 6th Maine and 119th Pennsylvania (6th Army Corps)

The orders given with respect to the regiments of Ames's command were (OR V27P3 page 15):

The orders of the same but for Russell's command were (OR V27P3 page 29):

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Interesting question. I'll weigh in on the 11th Corps. Despite being already under strength, this hypothetical "light brigade" would be 4 regiments.

If you need efficiency in drill, ability for rapid movement, and experienced skirmishers, my guess is you'd choose regiments that have served longer than 9 months…I dunno what the thought on the 33rd MA was, they were only mustered in less than a year before Gettysburg, and Chancellorsville was their only combat experience. Smaller veteran units would also seem to make more sense than bulky new regiments, as well.

Therefore I would put forth:

Commanding: Leopold von Gilsa
41st NY
27th PA
45th NY
75th PA

These regiments have not only seen plenty of action, but many of their officers had prewar military experience, and a significant portion of the officers even saw combat in Schleswig, Baden, Poland or Hungary.

 

[Stryker65]

Interesting question. I'll weigh in on the 11th Corps. Despite being already under strength, this hypothetical "light brigade" would be 4 regiments.

If you need efficiency in drill, ability for rapid movement, and experienced skirmishers, my guess is you'd choose regiments that have served longer than 9 months…I dunno what the thought on the 33rd MA was, they were only mustered in less than a year before Gettysburg, and Chancellorsville was their only combat experience. Smaller veteran units would also seem to make more sense than bulky new regiments, as well.

Therefore I would put forth:

Commanding: Leopold von Gilsa
41st NY
27th PA
46th NY
75th PA

These regiments have not only seen plenty of action, but many of their officers had prewar military experience, and a significant portion of the officers even saw combat in Schleswig, Baden, Poland or Hungary.

Do you refer to 45th New York instead of 46th? 46th was with IX Corps at Vicksburg.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Do you refer to 45th New York instead of 46th? 46th was with IX Corps at Vicksburg.

Yep, fat-fingered and now edited.

 

[gary]

The "light brigade" or "light division" concept was inspired by Robert Crauford's units of the same name in Wellington's Peninsula Army.

 

[Stryker65]

Ironically, some of the first modern-day light infantry were led by Col. Joseph E. Johnston during the Mexican War, in which a provisional brigade of voltigeurs (French for light infantry) led the assault on Chapultepec.

 

[Mississippian1861]

I think for the 12th Corps I would pick:

5th Connecticut
60th New York
7th Ohio
3rd Wisconsin

Trying to find units with similar arms and not take more than one regiment per brigade.