South Cavalry Field Part 8: Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer
August 13, 2010
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is standing on the west side of the Emmitsburg Road on Wintrode Ridge. She is standing by the marker to detachments of the 1st and 2nd United States Cavalry that fought in this area on July 3, 1863. Andie is wearing jeans because during the day before our filming she was leading horse tours of the battlefield. This view was taken facing west at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Our host for the South Cavalry Battlefield series, Andie Custer, has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 1998.
The Battle of South Cavalry Field took place after Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. It was an attack by the Union Cavalry to be coordinated with Union infantry on the south end of the battlefield.
In our first post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer presents U.S. Major General George Gordon Meade’s plan of attack following Pickett’s Charge, and brings the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps from Hunterstown to the Baltimore Pike.
In the second post, Andie Custer showed the location where Major General Alfred Pleasonton gave orders to two of his division commanders, Judson Kilpatrick and David McMurtrie Gregg on July 3, 1863. She also shows us the location of White Run Church.
In the third South Cavalry Field post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer showed us the route taken by Farnsworth’s Brigade along the Goulden-Sachs Road, and down the Taneytown Road to Rock Creek, where they watered their horses.
In the fourth South Cavalry Field post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer shows us how Farnsworth’s Brigade left the Taneytown Road on what is now the Barlow-Greenmount Road, and turned north on Ridge Road.
In the fifth South Cavalry Field post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer shows how as Farnsworth’s Brigade moved north on the Ridge Road, Merritt’s Brigade was moving north on the Emmitsburg Road.
In the sixth South Cavalry Field post, Andie Custer showed the area between Buddy Ridge and Wintrode Ridge where the soldiers had to dismount because of the rough terrain, and how James Hart’s South Carolina Battery “leap frogged” along the Emmitsburg Road in order to keep up a constant rate of fire on Wesley Merritt’s cavalrymen.
In the seventh South Cavalry Field post, Andie Custer showed us the National Park Service property on Wintrode Ridge, east of the Emmitsburg Road, and explains how Merritt’s troopers advanced through this area.
In the today’s South Cavalry Field post, Andie Custer shows us the National Park Service property on Wintrode Ridge on the west side of the Emmitsburg Road, and explains how Merritt’s troopers stretched their forces towards Marsh Creek.
This map shows us the locations taken of the videos for this South Cavalry Field series. Videos #1-#16 were shown in our previous posts. Video #12 was taken at the junction of old Ridge Road with current Ridge Road. Video #13 was taken at the Eisenhower Inn. Video #14 was taken at the McCurdy School on the Emmitsburg Road. Video #15 was taken between Buddy Ridge and Wintrode Ridge. Videos #16-21 were taken on top of Wintrode Ridge. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 7, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is standing on the west side of the Emmitsburg Road on Wintrode Ridge. She is standing on property owned by the National Park Service. Behind her is a privately owned field that was a wheatfield in 1863. The buildings in the background are near the junction of Ridge Road and the Emmitsburg Road. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is standing in the Wheatfield on Wintrode Ridge. The Emmitsburg Road is marked to the utility lines running left to right or north to south. Big Round Top is in the left background. Andie is pointing to the high ground along Ridge Road where Farnsworth’s Brigade was advancing on July 3, 1863 as Merritt’s Brigade advanced in the area where Andie is standing. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
In Video #19 (Videos #1- #18 were shown in our previous South Cavalry Field posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer shows the position on Wintrode Ridge occupied by Merritt’s Brigade on July 3, 1863. She explains how Merritt attempted to draw the Confederates further to the west. This view was taken facing north to east to west to north to east to north to west to north at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is standing on Wintrode Ridge near the left flank marker of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
In Video #20 Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is standing on National Park Service property on Wintrode Ridge near the left flank marker of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. She explains how Merritt’s Brigade extended their line and the Confederate’s line to the west, and how Merritt advanced across the wheatfield, was repulsed, and driven back to Wintrode Ridge. This view was taken facing north to northeast to north to northwest at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Andie Custer is still standing on Wintrode Ridge, near the Emmitsburg Road. The treeline in the background separates National Park Service property from private property. The corrider which the NPS owns in this area is approximately 30 feet wide. This view was taken facing north at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
In Video #21 Andie Custer is standing on National Park Service property on Wintrode Ridge, and on the west side of the Emmitsburg Road. She explains why Merritt’s Brigade was dismounted, and how horse holders would actually hold the horses. This view was taken facing north to south at approximately 5:45 PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2010.
This map of the cavalry actions on July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg was created by Andie Custer and David Roth of Blue and Gray Magazine. It is reprinted with permission from Blue and Gray Magazine.
