John Gibbon at Gettysburg Part 1 With Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon
August 18, 2009
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon an attorney in Cleveland, Ohio and has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 2006. Today he begins a series on United States Major General John Gibbon. Tony is standing on Maryland 194 near the historical marker for Meade’s Headquarters on June 30, 1863 and July 1, 1863. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:45 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon is resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and an attorney in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Public Defender’s Office. His spouse, also an attorney, is Lynn D. Loritts. Tony attended Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He studied law at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Tony has been a reenactor Company G of the 5th United States Colored Troops (USCT) and Company A of the 10th United States Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers). Tony has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 2006.
Tony tells us that “my initial interest in the Civil War began after seeing the John Ford Movie “Sergeant Rutledge” in my youth. That was my first introduction to the Buffalo Soldiers. After I began researching the Black Troopers in the West I learned that many of them had served in the American Civil War.” Tony’s favorite book is Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage. Tony also added, “I have LBG Wayne Motts, a fellow Buckeye, to thank for recruiting me into the Guide Service.”
John Gibbon was born in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fourth of ten children born to Dr. John Heysham Gibbon and Catharine Lardner Gibbon. When Gibbon was 11 years old the family moved near Charlotte, North Carolina, because Dr. Gibbon took a position as chief assayer at the U.S. Mint. John Gibbon graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1847 and was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Artillery. He served in the Mexican-American War without seeing combat, attempted to keep the peace between Seminoles and settlers in south Florida. In 1855, Gibbon married Francis “Fannie” North Moale. They had four children: Frances Moale Gibbon, Catharine “Katy” Lardner Gibbon, John Gibbon, Jr. (who died as a toddler) and John S. Gibbon. Lieutenant John Gibbon taught artillery tactics at West Point where he wrote The Artillerist’s Manual in 1859. The manual was used by both sides in the Civil War.
In today’s post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon shows us where Gibbon directed the Second Army Corps through Taneytown Maryland, and where they bivouacked near Gettysburg on the night of July 1, 1863.
This map shows the location of the first part of our series on John Gibbon. Video #1 was taken northeast of Taneytown Maryland near where Major-General George Gordon Meade had his headquarters. Video #2 taken taken at Taneytown Memorial Park, northwest of Taneytown. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2009.
This map shows the location of Video #3 east of the Round Tops. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 9, 2009.
In Video #1 Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon is standing near Maryland 194 northeast of Taneytown Maryland. He discusses the arrival of the Second Army Corps in Taneytown on July 1, 1863. He informs us how Second Corps commander Winfield Scott Hancock will be ordered to Gettysburg following news of the death of Major-General John F. Reynolds. Major-General John Gibbon will be ordered to take command of the Second Corps in Hancock’s absence. This view was taken facing southwest to south to southwest at approximately 4:45 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
John Gibbon commanded the Iron Brigade in 1862, and rose to division command at Fredericksburg, where he was wounded. At Chancellorsville and Gettysburg he commanded the Second Division of the Second Corps and the Second Corps itself on July 1, 1863 and July 2, 1863. This view was taken circa 1862.
The Benjamin Shunk House was Meade’s Headquarters near Taneytown, Maryland on June 30, 1863 and July 1, 1863. With his headquarters here General Meade could better direct operations during the Gettysburg Campaign since it was located near the center of the Pipe Creek Defense Line. This view was taken circa the 1880s.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Tony Kellon has now moved to Taneytown Memorial Park, northeast of the center of Taneytown. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
In the park is a wayside on the Gettysburg Campaign. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
A closer view of the wayside. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
There are two War Department markers in the park. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
The War Department marker for June 30, 1863. The Second Corps was in Uniontown, Maryland on June 30th. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
The War Department marker for July 1, 1863 when the Second Corps was in Taneytown, and marched to Gettysburg. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Tony Kellon has moved to the parking lot of Taneytown Memorial Park. To the left of the structure and behind the tree is the road leading to Gettysburg. In Taneytown it is known as the Harney Road. In Gettysburg it is known as the Taneytown Road. This view was taken facing north at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
In Video #2 Licensed Battlefield Guide Anthony Kellon is standing in the Taneytown Memorial Park northwest of Taneytown. He explains when the Second Corps left Taneytown, and approximately how many men were in the corps. This view was taken facing east to north at approximately 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
Tony Kellon is standing on Howe Avenue. The stop sign in the distance is at the intersection of the Taneytown Road. Wright Avenue continues towards Big Round Top, which is in the background. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 5:15 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
In Video #3 Anthony Kellon is standing on Howe Avenue/Wright Avenue east of the Round Tops. He explains how the Second Corps, now under the command of John Gibbon, will bivouac east of the Round Tops and attempt to cover a line from the Hanover Road to the Emmitsburg Road. This view was taken facing southwest to south to southeast at approximately 5:15 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
The Second Corps camped in the fields behind Tony the evening of July 1, 1863. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 5:15 PM on Thursday, August 6, 2009.
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