Historic Farnsworth House Inn (Circa 1810)

Historic Farnsworth House Inn (Circa 1810). . Historic Farnsworth House (Sweney) was saved from demolition in 1972 by the Shultz's - who began restoration of the house and grounds, restoring it to its original 1863 appearance. Four families have occupied the house and grounds over the past two hundred and thirteen years: the McFarlane's, Sweney's, Black's and the Shultz's. Its grounds have accommodated a tannery, slaughterhouse, lodging house, restaurant, tavern and bed and breakfast. , , Confederate sharpshooters occupied the house during the Battle of Gettysburg, one of whom is believed to have killed Mary Virginia "Jennie" Wade, the only civilian killed in the battle, from the garret (attic) window. This window, sharpshooters (sic) nest, and weapon, may be viewed today. The white pock marks seen in the bricks on the south side of the house bear testament to the damage from Union muskets atop Cemetery Hill. An artillery shell lodged near the attic window was removed in the 1950's. Two Union bullets were recovered from the property, one embedded in the brick mortar, the other from the yard. A brick was uncovered in 1972, with the builder of the house, John McFarlane's, initials and date 1833 carved in it. , , In an interview with Sara Black-Gideon (from whom the Shultz family purchased the house), she stated that her mother had a collection of one hundred and thirty-five bullets that had been gathered from various areas around the property. Today the attic displays "The Shultz Collection," relics from the Battle of Gettysburg and artifacts from the Civil War. , , Mr. Shultz, as a child, resided next door to The Little Round Top one-room schoolhouse, which he attended in 1938 (still remains). Roaming the hills from Little Round Top, he became aware of the brave charge of Gen. Farnsworth. Shultz chose to name the house in honor of Brig. Gen. Elon John Farnsworth and his gallant men. , , An ill-fated cavalry charge was ordered by Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, nicknamed "Kill Cavalry," on the right flank of the Confederate Army (Slyder Farm) on the last day of the battle: July 3rd around 5pm. A heated discussion between Farnsworth and Kilptrick (sic) ensued about the deadly consequences of charging entrenched infantry with cavalry. Finally, Farnsworth retorted, "General, if you order the charge, I will lead it, but you must take responsibility." , , Gen. Farnsworth commented to Major John Hammond, "My God, Hammond, Kil' is going to have a cavalry charge; It is too awful to think of it, it will be a slaughter of the boys, they have no chance for themselves." , , Other officers voiced their opinions of the ill-fated charge: , "I regret it is simple murder." -Captain William Graham (USA) "I'd rather charge into hell than in there." Major William Wells (USA) "...an inexcusable military blunder." -General Felix Robertson (CSA) "The order to charge was a crime." -Captain Frederick G. Newhall (USA) , , General Farnsworth perished on July 3rd, 1863, along with sixty-five of his men. Like the fabled charge of the Light Brigade, Farnsworths' (sic) charge was brave, memorable, and fruitless. , , A complete history of the Historic Farnsworth House and its occupants can be found in a book entitled In The Eye of The Storm: The Farnsworth House and The Battle of Gettysburg by Timothy H Smith which can be purchased on site. , , The historic Farnsworth House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most recognized inns in America.