Gettysburg Daily

Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop: Union Counterattacks Part 2

When Colonel George Willard of the 125th New York Infantry commanded a brigade at Gettysburg, Lieutenant Colonel Levin Crandell (1826-1907) commanded the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. Crandell was promoted to the rank of Colonel after Willard’s death at Gettysburg. According to A Regimental History: The One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth New York State Volunteers by Ezra de Free, which is the source for this image, at Gettysburg, Crandell “received several slight wounds, but refrained from making mention of them.” This image was produced circa the 1860s.

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.

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

Dr. Goedkoop was also the host for our series on The Iron Brigade.

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.”

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

In the first 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.

In today’s Union Counterattacks’ post, LBG Rich Goedkoop shows us the monuments to the 39th New York, the 111th New York, and the 125th New York on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

This map shows the location of the videos for Union Counterattacks series. Videos #1-#3 were shown in our previous post. Video #4 was taken at the monument to the 39th New York Infantry Regiment. Video #5 was taken at the monument to the 111th New York Infantry Regiment. Video #6 was taken at the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. This map was created facing north at approximately 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 17, 2011.

Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 39th New York Infantry Regiment, the Garibaldi Guards. Hancock Avenue is in the foreground. The equestrian statue of Major General George Gordon Meade is in the right background. The 39th New York was raised in New York City in May, 1861 under Colonel Frederick D’Utassy. It was originally composed of three companies of Hungarians, one of Swiss, one Italian, one French and one of Spanish and Portuguese. It wore colorful uniforms with slouch hats and blue jackets faced in red. The regiment was captured at Harper’s Ferry and served in Willard’s Brigade at Gettysburg, commanded by Major Hugo Hildebrandt. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

In Video #4 (Videos #1-#3 were shown in our previous post) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 39th New York Infantry Regiment. He explains the makeup of the regiment. This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 111th New York Infantry Regiment. The Brian Barn/Bryan Barn is in the background. The 111th New York Infantry Regiment was recruited in Cayuga and Wayne Counties New York and entered Federal Service in August, 1862. They went almost immediately to the federal garrison at Harper’s Ferry and became prisoners. Not exchanged until December,1862 they later joined Willard’s Brigade in their march toward Gettysburg, and participated in their successful counterattack on July 2nd. At Gettysburg they were commanded by Colonel Clinton MacDougall.This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

In Video #5 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 111th New York Infantry Regiment. He explains there actions on July 2nd and July 3rd. This view was taken facing north to northwest to northeast northwest to west at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing on Cemetery Ridge by the monument to the 111th New York Infantry Regiment. The Brian House/Bryan House is in the left background. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

A closer view of the plaque on the back (east) side of the monument to the 111th New York Infantry Regiment. This view was taken facing west at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Colonel Clinton Dugald MacDougall (1839-1914) commanded the 111th New York Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. At the beginning of Pickett’s Charge, MacDougall was wounded in the left arm by a sharpshooter/skirmisher. The projectile severed the lower bone of his left arm. Following the war, MacDougall served in the United States Congress. To see his grave at Arlington National Cemetery, click here. This view was taken circa the 1860s.

Richard Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. It is located on Cemetery Ridge near the old Cyclorama Visitors Center, which is out of sight on the left. The 125th New York Infantry Regiment was recruited in Troy, New York in August,1862 and went to the federal garrison at Harper’s Ferry where they were captured by Confederates on September 15th. Its original Colonel was George L. Willard and at Gettysburg it was commanded by Levin Crandell, as Willard became in command of the brigade. It also participates in the counterattack against Confederate forces on July 2nd. The regiment is also included in William Fox’ “Fighting 300.” This view was taken facing east at approximately 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.

In Video #6 Rich Goedkoop is standing by the monument to the 125th New York Infantry Regiment. He provides some background on the regiment. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 3:30 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.