Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: Union Counterattacks Part 8
December 29, 2011
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-1886) commanded the Union line on Cemetery Ridge on July 2, 1863. This view was taken circa 1863 and is courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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 Licensed Battlefield Guide 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.”
To see the previous entries in the Union Counterattack series, click here.
In today’s Union Counterattacks’ post, Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop concludes the series and explains the importance of the Union Counterattacks in holding Cemetery Ridge on July 2, 1863.
This map shows the location of the videos for Union Counterattacks series. Videos #1-#20 were shown in our previous posts. Video #11 was taken at the monument to the 150th New York Infantry Regiment. Video #12 was taken at the monument to the 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade. Video #13 was taken at the Trostle Farm. Videos #s 14-16 were taken near the monument to the 1st Minnesota Regiment on Cemetery Ridge.Videos #s 17-18 were taken near the monument to the 13th Vermont Regiment on Cemetery Ridge. Video #19 was taken at the monument to the 106th Pennsylvania at the High Water Mark area. Video #20 was taken at the monument to the 106th Pennsylvania near the Codori farm buildings. Video #21 was taken on Hancock’s Knoll on Cemetery Ridge. Video #22 was taken near the Meade equestrian statue. This map was created facing north at approximately 5:30 AM on Saturday, November 26, 2011.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is the host for this series on Union Counterattacks. He is standing on Cemetery Ridge near the monument that marks the location where Major General Winfield Scott Hancock was wounded on July 3, 1863. The monument was erected in May, 1888. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
In Video #21 (Videos #1-#20 were shown in our previous posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument showing where Major General Winfield Scott Hancock was wounded on July 3, 1863. He explains that although the Army of the Potomac fought primarily a defensive battle, the counterattacks helped to stabilize their position. This view was taken facing southwest to west to southwest to northwest at approximately 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing on Cemetery Ridge. The equestrian monument to Major General George Gordon Meade, erected on June 5, 1896, is in the center background. In the left background is the monument to the 10th New York Infantry Regiment, the “National Zouaves,” erected on September 2, 1889. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
In Video #22 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing on Cemetery Ridge near the equestrian statue of Major General George Gordon Meade. Dr. Goedkoop describes’ Meade’s response to the Union forces ability to hold Cemetery Ridge on July 2, 1863. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Major General George Gordon Meade (1815-1872) was on the front lines attempting to solidify his Cemetery Ridge position on July 2, 1863. This view was taken in Philadelphia by Henszey and Company, circa 1864 and is courtesy of the Library of Congerss.
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.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides,click here.
