John Hoptak, Gettysburg National Military Park

On the evening of April 18, 1861, less than 72 hours after the surrender of Fort Sumter and President Abraham Lincoln's subsequent call-to-arms, the very first Northern volunteer soldiers arrived in the nation's beleaguered capital. Although long overshadowed in history by the more famous 6th Massachusetts Infantry, these soldiers composed the ranks of five companies of Pennsylvania militia who later became known as the "First Defenders." Attacked by a pro-secessionist/pro-Confederate mob in Baltimore on their journey south to Washington, these First Defenders shed some of the very first blood of what would become the country's bloodiest conflict. Included among those injured was Nicholas "Nick" Biddle, a sixty-five-year-old African American man who may have had escaped from slavery, and who now wore the uniform of one of the Pennsylvania companies. Join John Hoptak for a look at the fascinating life and story of Biddle, and the history of these lesser-known companies, their prompt response, and their place in American Civil War history.

 

Support the Show by:

 Becoming a Patron- https://www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg

 Grabbing some merch- https://www.addressinggettysburg.com/shop

 Getting a book- https://www.addressinggettysburg.com/books

 Joining our book club. Email [email protected]

  

 Supporting Our Sponsors:

  

 Mike Scott Voice- https://www.mikescottvoice.com

 Seminary Ridge Museum- https://www.seminaryridgemuseum.org/

 For the Historian- Mention us for 20% off retail sales (in store) plus free shipping (online)- https://www.forthehistorian.com

 The Badgemaker- https://www.civilwarcorpsbadges.com

 Civil War Trails- https://www.civilwartrails.com

 Bantam Roasters (formerly 82 Cafe) Use "HANCOCK" for 10% off your order https://www.raggededgerc.com/

 HistoryFix- Use promo code "GETTYSBURG" when you sign up and receive $5 off your first year's subscription at https://www.historyfix.com    Buy Billy Webster's Music- Billy Webster arranged and performed the rendition of "Garryowen" that you hear at the end of the show. https://billysongs.com

  

 Music possibly by:

 "Garryowen" by Billy Webster

 Camp Chase Fifes & Drums and our website is https://www.campchasefifesanddrums.org

 California Consolidated Drum Band check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/CCDrumBand    Brass Band Music courtesy of the Federal City Brass Band

 Kevin MacLeod www.incompetech.com