The prestigious NYC firm of Tiffany & Company, known by 1848 for its exquisite jewelry, turned its attention in 1861 to war-related products, including swords, medals, and flags. Colors (flags) embroidered by Tiffany & Co. were among the most desirable and costly honors a regiment could receive. National colors by Tiffany were entirely embroidered. Regimental colors were usually embroidered with the state coat of arms or painted with allegorical scenes. The intrepid Iron Brigade (with its many Irish) included the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin; the 19th Indiana; and the 24th Michigan infantry regiments. After the Battle of Gettysburg (PA), on the anniversary of Antietam (Sharpsburg, MD), a group of citizens from the three states presented the brigade with a beautiful embroidered blue silk banner with rows of golden ribbons, one larger one with the name of the regiment "Iron Brigade." The focal point of the flag was its magnificent eagle with outstretched wings. The Antietam battle took place on Sept. 17, 1862. The commander for the North (Union) was McClellan, the South (Confederacy) Lee. There were 12,500 casualities suffered by the North, 10,750 suffered by the South. The subsequent Confederate retreat gave President Lincoln the occasion to announce the Emancipation Proclamation. The Gettysburg battle took place July 1-3, 1863. The commander for the North was Meade, the South Lee. There were 17,500 casualties for the North, 22,500 casualities for the South. This Northern victory for the Union marked a turning point in the war.