Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: The Iron Brigade Part 6
November 9, 2010
The Sixth Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, on the left, charges the 2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment in the Unfinished Railroad Cut on the morning of July 1, 1863. This image, titled “The Railroad Cut” by artist Dale Gallon is courtesy of Ms. Anne Gallon of Gallon Historical Art Inc., 9 Steinwehr Avenue, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Their telephone number is 717-334-8666. Their e-mail address is [email protected]. Their web address is gallon.com.
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 introduced us to the Iron Brigade series, explained how the unit was organized at the beginning of the war, and described their distinctive uniform. In the second 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. In the third Iron Brigade post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop described the makeup of the First Division of the First Corps, and in particular, the 6th Wisconsin. In the fourth Iron Brigade post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop briefly presented the rest of the regiments of the Iron Brigade and their commanders. In the fifth Iron Brigade post, Richard Goedkoop showed the direction that the Iron Brigade took across the Codori Fields, where they entered McPherson’s Woods, and where they captured members of Archer’s Brigade.
In today’s Iron Brigade post, Richard Goedkoop shows where the action occurred in the unfinished railroad cut, sums up the July 1st morning action, and shows the position of the Iron Brigade during July 1st’s “morning lull.”
This map shows the location of the videos for Iron Brigade posts. Videos #1-#16 were shown in our previous Iron Brigade posts. Video #17 was taken at the Railroad Cut Video #18 was taken on east McPherson’s Ridge. Video #19 was taken by the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Regiment. This map was created facing north at approximately 6:30 PM on Friday, November 5, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is the host for the Iron Brigade series. He is standing by the Railroad Cut. The 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, moving from left to right, or south to north on the morning of July 1, 1863 attacked the 2nd Mississippi Regiment in the railroad cut. The monument closest to the railroad cut is to the 95th New York Infantry Regiment. The monument to the 6th Wisconsin is to the left of the 95th New York. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #17 (Videos #s 1-16 were shown in our previous Iron Brigade posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing at the railroad cut between east McPherson’s Ridge and Seminary Ridge. He shows how the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment advanced from the Seminary, across the fields, to attack the 2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment in the Railroad Cut. This view was taken facing northwest to southeast to north at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
The flag of the 2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment. This image is courtesy of Dr. Richard Goedkoop.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing on East McPherson’s Ridge. The Chambersburg Pike is filled with traffic. The McPherson Barn is in the left background on West McPherson’s Ridge. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #18 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing on East McPherson’s Ridge. He presents a summary of the fighting on the morning of July 1, 1863. This view was taken facing west to northwest to west at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Dr. Richard Goedkoop is standing at the northern edge of Herbst’s Woods/McPherson’s Woods/Reynolds’ Woods along Meredith Avenue. The monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment is on the left. The monument to the 2nd Wisconsin Regiment is on the right. The brigade marker for the Iron Brigade is on the far right. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #19 Rich Goedkoop explains the position of most of the regiments in the Iron Brigade during the “morning lull” of July 1, 1863. This view was taken facing southeast to northeast to east to northeast to south to northeast to southeast to northeast at approximately 4:45 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.
