Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Dawes (1838-1899) of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was born on the 4th of July in Marietta, Ohio. He graduated from Marietta College in 1860, and was working in Wisconsin when the Civil War began. He was elected Captain of a company which later became Company K of the 6th Wisconsin. This view, taken circa the 1860s, is courtesy of Richard Goedkoop.
In today’s Iron Brigade post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop describes the makeup of the First Division of the First Corps, and in particular, the 6th Wisconsin.
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. Video #4 was taken by the monument to the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Video #5 was taken near the monument to the 7th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Video #6 was taken near the monument to the 19th Indiana Infantry Regiment. Videos #7 and 9 were taken near the monument to the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Video #8 was taken near Reynolds Avenue on the north side of the railroad cut. This map was created facing north at approximately 1:30 PM on Sunday, August 29, 2010.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is the host for the Iron Brigade series. He is standing south of the railroad cut near the monument to the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. This view was taken east at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #7 (Videos #s 1-6 were shown in our previous Iron Brigade post) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop is standing near the monument to the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He presents Lieutenant Colonel Rufus Dawes’ impression of Major General John Gibbon. This view was taken facing east at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Richard Goedkoop is standing near Reynolds Avenue, north of the railroad cut. The left flank marker to the 147th New York is by his left foot. In the right background is the monument to the 3rd Indiana Cavalry Regiment. To the left of Rich is the monument to the 147th New York Infantry Regiment of Cutler’s Brigade. To the left of the 147th New York is the monument to division commander, Brigadier General James Wadsworth. On the left (west) side of Reynolds Avenue is the brigade marker to Joseph Davis’ Confederate brigade. The Eternal Light Peace Memorial (Peace Light) is in the left background on Oak Hill. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #8 Licensed Battlefield Guide Rich Goedkoop explains the makeup of the First Division (Wadsworth) of the First Corps (Reynolds). This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Richard Goedkoop is standing south of the railroad cut, near the monument to the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Vehicles are traveling on the Chambersburg Pike, which is running right to left (northwest to southeast). In the left background is the white steeple on the 1942 chapel at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
In Video #9 Rich Goedkoop introduces us to the 6th Wisconsin and Rufus Dawes. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
A closer view of the monument to the 6th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, shows that they were “first in everything.” This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Every Iron Brigade Monument, except for the 19th Indiana, shows their distinctive hat. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 2:45 PM on Saturday, July 17, 2010.
Some statistics from the Iron Brigade’s action at Gettysburg.