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.

Dr. Goedkoop was the host for our series on John F. Kennedy’s visit to Gettysburg.

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.”

To contact Richard Goedkoop, click here to reveal his email address.

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 the sixth Iron Brigade post, Richard Goedkoop showed 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.”

In the seventh Iron Brigade post, Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop shows the retreat of the Iron Brigade on the afternoon of July 1, 1863, from McPherson’s Woods to Seminary Ridge.

In today’s Iron Brigade post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop shows the locations where the Iron Brigade made their stand on Seminary Ridge on the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, click here.