Ask A Gettysburg Guide #52- "Gunfight at the Peach Orchard"- with LBG Ralph Seigel

[@decimated550]

Thanks! Just finished a great civil War weekend visiting family and hit some battlefields and an area of the Confederate retreat this podcast episode is great and I've listened to it twice now but going to vacation and returning home. Take my money!

[@addressinggettysburg]

With pleasure! Thank you very much. Enjoy your vacation

[@Raabe34]

This is phenomenal.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Thank you

[@travisbayles870]

@@addressinggettysburg You're welcome

[@richardwalling845]

Excellent analysis and story telling.

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@markcrampton5873]

I have been a fan of Lt. Col. Mc Gilvery ever since I read Fairfax Downey 's The Guns of Gettysburg in the 1960's. I personally think he did a hell of a lot more to win the battle than Chamberlain ! If Cushing can get a well deserved Medal of Honor after all these years, how about one for McGilvery ? What do you guys think ?

[@patrickmcelhone1446]

Ralph needs his own talk show, he could make watching the grass grow entertaining

[@addressinggettysburg]

Yeah he has a great way of talking

[@addressinggettysburg]

I’ll get working on that

[@JeffreyLang-j5i]

Terrific presentation! Get Ralph Seigel and Dr. Charlie Fennell together on a lecture. IT WOULD BE A SHOW!!!!

[@addressinggettysburg]

They were both on this year’s July 3 anniversary show

[@dks13827]

Siegel.

[@kennethkloby2726]

A young Thomas Wilson (21 years old) served in the NJ Light Artillery (Battery B) attached to III Corps Artillery Brigade and was killed at Gettysburg on July 2nd. His body was sent back to Jersey City, where he now rests in the Speer Cemetery on Vroom Street.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Cool. Is he a relative of yours or just a local hero of interest to you?

[@lewistrott417]

Great episode! Pre-pandemic I always loved listening to Ralph's stories sitting around in the guide room. He's a great guide and always fun to hear. A wealth of knowledge. By the way, I am another long standing LBG Patreon subscriber to Addressing Gettysburg! It's always well spent money.

[@addressinggettysburg]

You’re right, Lewis. How could I forget you? You were right there in the beginning along with Bob. My apologies

[@lewistrott417]

@@addressinggettysburg Ha, no apologies needed. It's hard to keep track of who all does what, especially since the following has grown so much. I just want to get the point across that being a patron is WELL WORTH IT! Keep up the great work, and keep bringing on fantastic guests like Ralph!

[@tberkoff]

This was excellent! Ralph is an expert and entertaining! Get Dennis Fry on the podcast as Ralph recommends!! Dennis founded the APCWS/CWT and is a legendary NPS historian!!

[@addressinggettysburg]

Will try to get him on

[@lewistrott417]

Needed to get my Gettysburg fix in while at work today and figured that listening Ralph again would be a great way to enjoy my morning. Just a great episode. That's what I really like about the episodes, they're like old classic tv shows that never get old. Hopefully you can get Ralph back on soon, he's outstanding.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Haha I like that comparison

[@npgtom]

Mike Vallone was a good guy. Hired him one time and he gave me and my boys a tour of the Rummel barn. As a fellow Jerseyan, always enjoy listening to Ralph’s stories.

[@tylercowfer9080]

Keep up the great work guys love listening to all your discussions on my long drives.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Thank you. Glad we could help

[@davidstotsenburgh4510]

Nice to see Ralph on, very entertaining

[@GettysburgLentz]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. His explanation of artillery and the difficulties of firing a cannon was fascinating. His telling of the story of Clark’s Battery firing at Lafayette McLaws made me laugh. In fact he made me laugh a lot. I definitely want to be in studio when you have him back on.

[@lawrencemyers3623]

Listening from Hamilton, NJ. Anything to do with the artillery at Gettysburg certainly gets my attention. Thanks for posting.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Well hello fellow Jersey-native. Thanks for listening.

[@calebd.3337]

Ralph is great. Awesome guest!

[@addressinggettysburg]

We agree!

[@robertroeder9539]

Been listening to AG at work a few times. Usually entertaining and informative but Seigel's information on artiilery is fascinating. Been focusing on various aspects of the battle but realizing that the 2nd day was freakin awful.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Yeah it really was. Just a mess.

[@decimated550]

23:08 One of the funniest light-hearted quips I've ever heard on a military history podcast when The host asks is a dog fight when they throw dogs at each other? Compared to a gunfight when guns are shooting at each other as the guest is saying. Lol that is so sublimely funny but no one took the bait. I will remember this forever lol!

[@addressinggettysburg]

It’s a pleasure to read a comment like this from the rare few who catch the dad jokes and laugh at them lol

[@hooper4581]

Great stuff. Always a splendid listen.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Many thanks

[@glenm1035]

This is a fantastic program and listening to Ralph talk about, what I tell people was one of the most influential clashes in the battle. Being from Jersey I totally appreciate his Jersey candidness and way of just making this interesting and entertaining. I learned so much from just listening along. Thank you for this and I'll see you on the fields! PS I would love a talk on how regiments formed and moved. God Bless

[@addressinggettysburg]

Thanks! That’s a good idea. We can probably do a show about that

[@hectorgomez9825]

Excellent Interview

[@addressinggettysburg]

Thank you

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Spring and warm weather can’t get here fast enough. I got the money to go to Gettysburg but the weather won’t let me 🤦‍♂️. I just won’t enjoy it while freezing to death lol I’m going to Shiloh in April for the anniversary of the battle. You guys should come down to Tennessee and join me 👍🏻. Hopefully it will be a sunny warm southern day 😎

[@addressinggettysburg]

I’m with you on that. Although you should see the field when there’s no vegetation

[@matthewgillespie9405]

There is a Cabell County, WV. Matt, you’re pronouncing it correctly, with the emphasis on the first syllable. 🙂👍🏻

[@addressinggettysburg]

I thought so.

[@carolinechronowski6080]

Excellent interview and analysis. I need to visit Gettysburg!

[@addressinggettysburg]

Yes you do! Everyone should at least once.

[@jasonroberts6080]

​@@addressinggettysburgAgreed. It's such a sacred piece of ground.

[@tooter1able]

I have to say, I’m really fascinated by this whole interview it clarifies. The second day is battle for me much clearer than a third reading of the Harry pfanz / titled the second day. Particularly interesting was the clarification of the location of Alexander’s batteries in the peach orchard, and that Sickles was actually on the field on the last o his regiments. From Humphreys division, I believe Left the Emmitsburg Road area. Thank you. Great job

[@addressinggettysburg]

Glad it could be helpful to you

[@robertroeder9539]

The tent shaped monument is the 32nd Mass. Infantry. They also have field hospital markers nearby.

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@rhett4027]

great! The accent whatever it is and the knowledge and delivery by all is great stuff. I have been there once in 1961 with school field trip and then again in 1998 and again by motorcycle from DC in 2001

[@addressinggettysburg]

Thank you.

[@travisbayles870]

My great great great uncle Captain Wesley Mellard Co H 13th Mississippi Infantry Barksdales brigade CSA fought at the Peach Orchard July 2 1863 near Gettysburg A sad and a terrible day for both sides

[@BillsHistoricSites-ip3su]

Very nice Woody Elwood Christ was the best LBG as all who knew him

[@addressinggettysburg]

never met him, but he's still talked about with reverence and awe

[@BillsHistoricSites-ip3su]

@@addressinggettysburg yes the great one I just posted a video of him last week along with Rob Wingert at the Bliss Farm!

[@johnresto1603]

He does a great tour of the Battle of Trenton.

[@addressinggettysburg]

So I hear

[@johnresto1603]

@@addressinggettysburg been on a few of them.

[@K8E666]

Time keeping is the one thing that made me pause in the movie. Lee is shown to be looking at his fob watch in almost every scene he’s in, checking the time, and yet it can’t have been correct as we know it would’ve been set to Virginia time. The sun would’ve been your greatest ally or adversary rather than your timepiece… It’s obviously an acting choice to show that he’s running out of time to make a successful attack on the battlefield, that and the famous “there’s no time !”….First time I’ve seen the movie and I bought it on prime because of Addressing Gettysburg. I wanted to get an idea of the actual battle even with the obvious inaccuracies already in my head thanks to the podcast and the LBFG’s and historical evidence we’re now aware of. I love the historical inaccuracies and it didn’t spoil the film in any way for me, in fact the knowledge I’ve gained in recent months has only enhanced the experience.

[@addressinggettysburg]

That’s awesome. The movie is a great tool to get someone into it and then the historical inaccuracies are great to help us learn more about the battle. Glad you found us and the movie. Enjoy!

[@joslynscott466]

He's funny. I like him.

[@addressinggettysburg]

So do we!!

[@madigan1916]

This is guy is pure Jersey! Creepy Uncle Timmy has a rival now. 😁

[@addressinggettysburg]

Hahaha

[@ronaldedson496]

His father was Daniel Baumgardner 1795-1836. His father was Leonard Baumgardner 1755 1839.

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@timm1894]

Picture it.... Ralph and Charlie Fenel at the same time.

[@addressinggettysburg]

That would be great

[@herodotus7]

Do people take the exams even though they have little intention of moving to Gettysburg to do this regularly?

[@addressinggettysburg]

I’ve known a few who have taken just to see how well they do and have no intention of guiding even part time

[@pizzafrenzyman]

"I got a leg up on this one!" 🤣😂

[@addressinggettysburg]

Lol

[@davidheyssel7884]

This episode settled a question I’ve had about the introduction recording that I’ve been wondering about since I started listening to this podcast a year ago. I’ve seriously been so curious. Keep a clear eye.

[@addressinggettysburg]

What was the question?

[@davidheyssel7884]

@@addressinggettysburg my bad. Didn’t want to give any spoilers for people who haven’t listened. It was about the introduction with Sam Elliott and whether or not it’s really him.

[@jagsdomain203]

I have always been of the idea that General Dan won Gettysburg. Longstreet wanted that spot and had to fight for it instead. I am trying to remember the guides name. It was not Matt Atkinson. But this dude was better on a regular day than I was on my best day giving tours in Boston. He wrote a book/pamphlet about the peach orchard. And I think his wife worked for a collage.

[@addressinggettysburg]

See, I don’t think he won it. He certainly foiled Longstreet’s plans but, as history shows us, once his corps was obliterated, there were others to take his place. Let’s say he stayed where he was supposed to stay and Longstreet obliterated his corps there, there still would have been other union corps and no confederate reserves to carry on the fight. The maps might look different today, but the score would have been the same. It was just not in the cards for the south win this battle or the war.

[@jagsdomain203]

@@addressinggettysburg thats a very good point. I was only there once and I would have moved to. The US forces were just better that day. Have you dont a pod cast about the fences? I have read that the Rebs were lost about how many fences there were. I VA one fence could go for miles but in PA they were every were. Maybe the true hero is the lonely worm wood fence?

[@brucereed105]

Interesting. However union forces ended up in original ( superb) position.

[@jagsdomain203]

@@brucereed105 Your right the lines ended where they begun. That is the fun part about history is there are not allot of right answers only great questions. Maybe everything is all ready decided and there is nothing we can do about anything.

[@ronaldedson496]

GG GRANDFATHER was there George Washington Baumgardner 1843-1903. Pennsylvania 141ST INFANTRY REGIMENT

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@tjboulet4448]

Ralph Seigel has to be the Union equivalent to Matt Atkinson! lol

[@addressinggettysburg]

😂😂😂🤣🤣

[@tooter1able]

OK< Interesting! I guess I listen use my knowledge of the battle. I guess I'll count the tr oops in the picture .

[@addressinggettysburg]

?

[@jacobmasters438]

After hearing Ralph suggest Judson Clark is the best looking Man during the Civil War. I naturally was curious to view the Man's photograph... I think if not George Clooney to play his role. Then it oughta be Chris Pratt. Lol

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@K_Type]

Please have JD Baker on. You hear his Civil War Podcast Series on The Jocko Podcast?? Great!!!

[@addressinggettysburg]

Ya know, I was in touch with their producer and dropped the ball. I’ll have to find that email and resume negotiations

[@ronaldedson496]

His father died 1860 at age of 30. 13 years old when George was born.

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@TheGazaMethodChannel]

My goodness, Ralph is way too much fun! He must be a Boomer!

[@bryanfields5563]

Just to affirm your interpretation of a "dog" fight. You're such a wag. I howled! 🤣

[@addressinggettysburg]

lol I don’t remember what the interpretation was

[@bryanfields5563]

@@addressinggettysburg it was in the "gunfight" discussion, ehich led to dogfighting and the idea of throwing dogs at each other. (As an aside, I don't endorse throwing dogs; I think it's even more abhorrent than juggling cats).

[@davidheyssel7884]

Lol "So prior to 'gunfighting' it was just dogfighting so they were shooting dogs at eachother?" Guest didn't appear to notice it but I did and got a nice chortle.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Hahaha

[@peterkennedy3755]

Turn left at the clump of junk. It used to be a farm.

[@ronaldedson496]

Samuel Baumgardner 1830-1860.

[@addressinggettysburg]

👍

[@jamesbuchanan8717]

I want to be able to imagine what youre all referring to while youre speaking, as you create a terrific picture. That said, and not to try and be a jerk, but would it hurt to include current pictures and video and old pictures of the areas as youre talking about them? Maybe some drone footage from above? A few maps? I also dont know what your staff is like. Or if you have a staff. Just asking. Sorry.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Our staff is one person. Me. Lol Hard to host and shoot footage at the same time. Then it’s hours of editing time. Plus, drones are illegal in the park. A lot of our listeners follow along with the Gettysburg Campaign Atlas book by Phil Laino or Maps of Gettysburg by Bradley M Gottfried. I’d love to include visuals. Best way to help us get closer to being able to add visuals is if a ton more folk join as one of the lieutenants here: www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg

[@mjt1229]

You must not travel I-81 very often... although it might be smoother than roads during ACW 🤪 New subscriber, will look for your book. I left Jersey (Bergen Co.) almost 60 years ago and have only been back to bury my folks (Hackensack) - didn't leave anything behind that I'd need to go back and get.

[@addressinggettysburg]

Jersey is a state best left behind those of us smart enough to realize it lol

[@vvvci]

DAN SICKLES had a LOT of experience by July 2nd, 1863 - his men had, DESPITE POOR LEADERSHIP from "West Point regular army" generals Hooker and Howard. and despite a full-blown SUPRISE ATTACK by Confederate GENERAL "Stonewall" JACKSON had WITHSTOOD Jackson's attack and FOUGHT IT TO A STANDSTILL as night fell at Chancellorsville just 5 weeks earlier. Indeed, Sickles had been in many battles BEFORE that, and promoted several times. At Chancellorsville, Sickles was DISGUSTED that Hooker ordered him to RETREAT from the high ground... where the Rebels promptly stationed their guns, and pounded Sickles men all night long. Now, at Gettysburg on Day 2, Sickles DID EXACTLY what GENERAL REYNOLDS DID the day before: Reynolds personally led I Corps IN TO THE TEETH of a MASSIVE REBEL ATTACK _(to support Buford's Union cavalry just northwest of Gettysburg)._ NO ONE CONSIDERS REYNOLDS A BUFFON, he was killed almost immediately, but he was a hero for BUYING PRECIOUS TIME, even though his I Corps was DEVASTATED in the fighting. Likewise, DAN SICKLES ADVANCED HIS TROOPS from a HORRIBILE position - the MARSHES at the foot of Cemetery Ridge and Little Roundtop - to the HIGH GROUND where LBG Guide Ralph Siegel and Confederate Artillery General Alexander alike both say SICKLES ARTILLERY PERFORMED MAGNIFICENTLY, "the hottest artillery fighting of the war." Well, this would never have happened if Sickles had stayed in that AWFUL position of the Plum Run marshes.... which were named "THE VALLEY OF DEATH" Hoods SWARMING ATTACK would probably have succeeded had III Corps stayed in that disadvantageous, low marsh "The Valley of Death" instead of moving forward, blasting away at the Rebs from the high ground Sickles placed them on. The names THE PEACH ORCHARD, THE WHEAT FIELD, DEVILS DEN, and "The VALLEY OF DEATH" would NEVER BE KNOWN TO ANYONE had DAN SICKLES NOT MOVED III Corps to the high ground to SAVAGE the attacking Confederate army in those now hallowed places. Dan Sickles isn't the only General who won the Battle of Gettysburg - Reynolds, Bufford, Howard, Hancock on the 1st (and General Greene preparing breastworks on Culps Hill on the night of the 1st) and Hancock sending in the 1st Minn. in to the teeth of the Alabamians on the 2nd; and Meade getting everyone to Gettysburg in a timely fashion on the 1st... but if Sickles hadn't SAVAGED Longstreet's tardy attack on Day 2, the Rebels would almost certainly have overrun the Union lines, as they nearly did where Hancock sent in the 1st Minn. Sickles deserves more respect, if he hadn't lost his leg there savaging Longstreet's attack, he would be considered as great a "Political General" as General Black Jack Logan.

[@addressinggettysburg]

What?

[@dks13827]

Siegel !!! spelling check

[@addressinggettysburg]

I can’t believe this is two years old and no one caught it until now. Lol

[@dindu551]

This isn't very good. Guy literally tries to disagree seemingly just for the purpose of establishing himself as the only expert. He just comes across as a name dropper that lacks meaningful context.

[@addressinggettysburg]

I’ll let him know

[@garyziggy1]

Entertaining and opinionated, yes. Overbearing and all knowing, no. Right on, Ralph!