Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: The Iron Brigade Part 2
August 16, 2010
On September 14, 1862, at the Battle of South Mountain, Major General George B. McClellan (1826-1885), along with Major General Joseph Hooker, gave the western brigade in the Army of the Potomac their nickname, the Iron Brigade. This view, taken circa the 1860s, is courtesy of Richard Goedkoop.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Dr. Rich Goedkoop is the host for a series on Iron Brigade of the United States’ Army of the Potomac. He is a professor of Communication at LaSalle University. Rich began his professional career in education as a Graduate Assistant at Central Michigan University. He received his Masters there in 1977 and went on to Pennsylvania State University to receive his Doctorate in 1980. Rich joined La Salle that same year. Throughout his career, Rich has taken an active interest in news and public affairs television programming which inspired his book, Inside Local Television News (1988). His numerous reviews and articles have appeared in such publications as Journalism Quarterly, The Journal of Broadcasting, Feedback, and Critical Studies in Mass Communication.
Rich Goedkoop writes, “I appreciate the contributions of Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides Stuart Dempsey and Cliff Detweiler in helping me put together this series, and Ms. Anne Gallon of Gallon Historical Art, Gettysburg, PA (Gallon.com) for the gracious use of four of Dale Gallon’s paintings for illustrations of key moments of the Iron Brigade at Gettysburg.”
In our first Iron Brigade post, Rich Goedkoop introduces us to the Iron Brigade series, explains how the unit was organized at the beginning of the war, and describes their distinctive uniform.
In today’s Iron Brigade post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop explains how the Iron Brigade acquired its nickname, and discusses their actions in the battles of Brawner’s Farm and Antietam.
This map shows the location of the videos for Iron Brigade posts. Video #1 was taken on West McPherson’s Ridge near the location where Stone Avenue enters Herbst’s/McPherson’s/Reynolds’ Woods. Video #2 was taken near the Iron Brigade plaque in Herbst’s Woods. Video #3 was taken near the monument to the 24th Michigan in Herbst’s Woods. Video #4 was taken by the monument to the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Video #5 was taken near the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Video #6 was taken near the monument to the 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment. This map was created facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 10, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is the host for the Iron Brigade series. He is standing in McPherson’s Woods near the monument to the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. This view was taken east at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #4 (Videos #s 1-3 were shown in our previous Iron Brigade post) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing near the monument to the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He describes the action of the Iron Brigade at the Battle of Brawner’s Farm on August 28, 1862. This view was taken facing east at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
At the Battle of Brawner’s Farm, Confederate Brigadier General William B. Taliaferro (1822-1895) wrote the following about the effort of the Iron Brigade at Brawner’s Farm, “… although they could not advance, they would not retire. There was some discipline in this, but there was much more of true valor.” This view, circa the 1860s, is courtesy of Richard Goedkoop.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing near the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Regiment on the northern edge of McPherson’s Woods. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #5 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in Herbst’s Woods on West McPherson’s Ridge. He explains how generals McClellan and Hooker gave the Iron Brigade their nickname at the Battle of South Mountain. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
A closer view of the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, showing their battle actions. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Richard Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #6 Rich Goedkoop describes the Iron Brigade’s actions at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Some statistics from the Iron Brigade’s action at Gettysburg.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.
