Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Temporary Resting Place
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
1. A Temporary Resting Place Marker
The field in front of you contained the hospital graveyard where some 185 Union and 20 Confederate soldiers were buried. Some of Spangler’s own wood supplies were used to make coffins for these soldiers and even a fence around the graveyard itself. A member of the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry recalled looking for a fallen comrade at the hospital cemetery. “This afternoon I walked out to the hospital to see where he is buried … I found his grave in a field … marked by a board on which was written: ‘Henry A. Miller, Company B, 153rd Regiment, Penna. Volunteers.” One grave contained the remains of George Nixon, great-grandfather to 37th President Richard Nixon. A private in Company B, 73rd Ohio Volunteers, he had been wounded multiple times on July 2. Rescued by musician Richard Enderlin, Nixon was taken to this field hospital where he died on July 10, 1863. Richard Enderlin earned a promotion to sergeant and later, the Medal of Honor for his actions. Today, George Nixon’s remains rest in the Soldiers National Cemetery.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #37 Richard M. Nixon series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1800.
Location. 39°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Family Who Would Not Leave Their Home (here, next to this marker); Food Preservation of the Past (here, next to this marker); Armistead Death Site (a few steps from this marker); Well, Look What We Found! (a few steps from this marker); A Farm Transformed by War (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trademark of Craftsmen (within shouting distance of this marker); A Hospital Under Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); The George Spangler Farm Civil War Hospital Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. A portrait of George Nixon appears on the right side of the marker. On the left side is a picture of a journal with a caption of “Local physician Dr. John W. C. O’Neal created a burial roll of Confederate dead on the battlefield in this journal. Note the entries for the Eleventh Corps Hospital on the lower right page.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
2. A Temporary Resting Place Marker
The field where the graveyard was located can be seen behind the marker.
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Journal - The George Spangler Farm. Gettysburg Magazine. (Submitted on November 14, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. George Spangler Farm. . Gettysburg Foundation website. (Submitted on November 14, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
3. Markers on the George Spangler Farm
There are several markers at this location. The A Temporary Resting Place marker is seen at the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
