Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: Union Counterattacks, July 2nd Part 1
August 31, 2011
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is the host for our series on Union Counterattacks on Cemetery Ridge. He is standing in Sherfy’s Peach Orchard. The monument is to Thompson’s Independent Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery. The Sherfy House and barn are in the right background. The Wheatfield Road is directly behind Rich and the monument to Thompson’s Battery. The stop sign in the left background marks the junction of the Wheatfield/Millerstown Road with the Emmitsburg Road. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Dr. Rich Goedkoop is the host for a series on Union Counterattacks on Cemetery Ridge During July 2, 1863. 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 wish to thank LBG and close friend Cliff Detweiler, for research assistance on this series. I would also like to thank Mr. Dale Gallon and Ms. Anne Gallon of Gallon Historical Art, Gettysburg, PA (Gallon.com) for the gracious use of two of Dale Gallon’s paintings for illustrations of key moments of the First Minnesota at Gettysburg.”
In today’s Union Counterattacks’ post, Rich Goedkoop introduces us to the Union Counterattacks’ series, and explains how Major General Sickles’ forward move on July 2, 1863 necessitated the counterattacks.
This map shows the location of the videos for Union Counterattacks series. Videos #1 and #2 were taken in Sherfy’s Peach Orchard at the intersection of the Wheatfield/Millerstown Road and the Emmitsburg Road. Video #3 was taken on Cemetery Ridge’s Hancock Avenue near the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. This map was created facing north at approximately 10:00 AM on Friday, August 26, 2011.
In Video #1 Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing in Sherfy’s Peach Orchard at the monument to Thompson’s Pennsylvania Battery. He introduces the Union Counterattacks series. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing in Sherfy’s Peach Orchard by the marker for Major General Daniel Sickles’ Third Corps. The Round Tops are out of sight, directly behind the marker. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
In Video #2 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing in Sherfy’s Peach Orchard. He shows the position of Sickles’ advance on July 2, 1863, and why the Union Counterattacks were needed. This view was taken facing south to southwest to west to northwest to west to northeast to east to northwest to east to southwest to west to southwest at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
A closer view of the marker to Sickles’ Third Corps. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Richard Goedkoop is standing on Cemetery Ridge by the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. The cameraman is standing in Hancock Avenue. The old Cyclorama building is out of sight in the left background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
In Video #3 Rich Goedkoop is standing at the back of the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. He provides some background on Colonel George Willard. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Colonel George Lamb Willard (May 15, 1827-July 2, 1863) was born in New York City and served in the Mexican War. He rose to the rank of captain prior to the Civil War. Willard became Colonel of the 125th New York Infantry Regiment and was part of a contingent of Union soldiers captured at Harper’s Ferry in 1862. They were paroled in 1863 and sent to the defenses of Washington, D.C. Willard and the 125th New York later joined the Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863. Willard became the commander of the 3rd Brigade in Alexander Hays’ 3rd Division, 2nd Corps of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. George Willard was killed in action on July 2nd, 1863 as his men successfully counterattacked Confederate Brigadier General William Barksdale’s Mississippians shouting “Remember Harper’s Ferry.” He was buried in Troy, New York. This view was taken circa 1862-1863.
A closer view of the Willard plaque on the back of the monument to the 125th New York. This view was taken facing west at approximately 3:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
The strengths and losses of the Union units that counterattacked the Confederates along Cemetery Ridge on July 2, 1863.
One of the best books regarding the action on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg is a book by a former Gettysburg National Park Service Historian, Harry Pfanz. It is titled, Gettysburg: The Second Day.
