Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: The Iron Brigade Part 1
August 3, 2010
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing on West McPherson’s Ridge near McPherson’s/Herbst’s/Reynolds’ Woods which are out of sight on the right. The McPherson Barn is in the left background. To the right of the McPherson Barn is the bronze statue of John Burns. To the right of the Burns Monument is the marker for the 14th Brooklyn (84th New York) Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing norththeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
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 today’s 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.
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. This map was created facing north at approximately 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 24, 2010.
In Video #1 Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing on West McPherson’s Ridge. He introduces the Iron Brigade series. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing on West McPherson’s Ridge near the brigade plaque for the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corps, the Iron Brigade. This view was taken east at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #2 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop explains how the Iron Brigade was organized in 1861. This view was taken facing east at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
The governors of the states from which the Iron Brigade was raised included Governor Oliver P. Morton (1823-1877) of Indiana. Morton served as governor from 1861-1867. This photograph was provided by Rich Goedkoop.
Governor Austin Blair (1818-1894) of Michigan served in office from 1861-1865. This photograph was provided by Rich Goedkoop.
Alexander W. Randall (1819-1872) served as Wisconsin’s governor from 1858-1862. In 1863 he was the assistant Postmaster General of the United States. This photograph was provided by Rich Goedkoop.
Brigadier General Rufus King (1814-1876) served as the first commander of the Iron Brigade from May, 1861 to March, 1862. A not very admirable war record and failing health led to his resignation from the army in 1863. This photograph was provided by Rich Goedkoop.
Rich Goedkoop is standing in Reynolds’ Woods/Herbst’s Woods/McPherson’s Woods near the monument to the 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #3 Rich Goedkoop is standing in Herbst’s Woods on West McPherson’s Ridge. He explains John Gibbon’s association with the Iron Brigade and shows some features of their distinctive uniform. This view was taken facing southeast to northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
A wartime photograph depicting the uniform of the Iron Brigade. Some of the distinctive features included the white gaiters/leggings, the frock coat, and the Hardee Hat with feather. This photograph was provided by Rich Goedkoop.
The figure on top of the monument to the 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment does not include the gaiters/leggings, but it does display a frock coat. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
The figure on top of the monument to the 24th Michigan Infantry Regiment displays a hat (but is it a Hardee hat?) with one side turned up… This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
… and a feather. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Brigadier General John Gibbon (1827-1896) commanded a division in the Second Army Corps at Gettysburg. He commanded the Iron Brigade from May, 1862 to November, 1862, and gave the unit its distinctive uniform and identify. This view was taken circa the 1860s.
Some statistics from the Iron Brigade’s action at Gettysburg.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.
