Mount Joy Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
U.S. Field Hospitals at Gettysburg
“The Wounded of Gettysburg”
These words were written by an army surgeon who operated on some of the 27,000 wounded involved in furious combat during the Battle of Gettysburg, which was fought just north of here on July 1st – 3rd, 1863.
Following the battle, nearly 10,000 of both Union and Confederate injured soldiers were concentrated into a vast network of military field hospitals set up by the U.S. Army of the Potomac. These field hospitals were located just a short walk from where you now stand.
For six to eight weeks during July and August of the summer of death, these field medical stations provided basic care under extreme weather conditions while facing shortages of proper food and medicine.
Some of the locations still exist on this ground. The Old Aaron Sheely farm contained overflow patients from the adjacent hospitals, as well as an encampment of several thousand Southern Prisoners of War and the headquarters of General Marsena Patrick, the Union Army’s Provost Marshal.
Here you are surrounded by history. While in Gettysburg take advantage of this opportunity to visit the battlefield and contemplate the sacrifices made by Americans so long ago.
“Unity”
Our sculpture of flags has been designed by Fernando Vazquez as a symbol honoring the reunification of the thirty-five states torn apart by the bitter fighting of the Civil War.
Every state in the union during the Civil War is represented by their state flag in a cluster, with the flag of the United States of America triumphantly rising above.
This sculpture of flags moves with the wind symbolizing the enduring freedom of the United States. Each state flag represents the uniqueness and individuality of that state, yet all are unified under the stars and stripes commemorating the “Unity” of a nation.
“Unity” is located on the Route 15 side of Gettysburg Village.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 39° 47.625′ N, 77° 12.114′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Mount Joy Township. Marker is on Gettysburg Village Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Gettysburg Village Factory Outlet Mall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1863 Gettysburg Village Dr, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named U.S. Field Hospitals at Gettysburg (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named U.S. Field Hospitals at Gettysburg (about 700 feet away); Daniel Sheaffer Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); Field Hospitals - First Corps (approx. half a mile away); Isaac Lightner Farm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Field Hospitals - Twelfth Corps (approx. 0.7 miles away); George Bushman Farm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Field Hospitals - Second Corps (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains a map showing the local area with the locations of Civil War field hospitals and encampments.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.