Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Family Who Would Not Leave Their Home
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
1. A Family Who Would Not Leave Their Home Marker
When the Eleventh Corps took over the farm to serve as a hospital, the Spangler family was forced to live in just one of the six rooms of their home. Wounded soldiers and medical staff occupied the other rooms. One noted patient who was treated in the home was Frederick Stowe, a Union staff officer and son of Harriet Beecher Stowe, famed author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Despite extremely difficult conditions, the Spanglers chose to remain on their farm, sleeping in their single room until the hospital closed at the beginning of August. Although the Spanglers left a detailed list of the destruction to their property, they only noted $375.00 dollars of damage to their house and barn for its 37 day use as shelter for wounded and medical personnel.
Stowe ultimately recovered from his head wound sustained at Gettysburg and continued to serve in the army until the end of the war.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1863.
Location. 39° 48.066′ N, 77° 13.273′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. Marker can be reached from Blacksmith Shop Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Temporary Resting Place (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 Frederick Stowe appears on the left side of the marker. A picture of the Spangler house can be seen on the right side of 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
2. A Family Who Would Not Leave Their Home Marker
The Spangler house is visible behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
3. Marker at the George Spangler Farm
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 17, 2014
4. George Spangler Farm
The Spangler farmhouse (right) and summer kitchen can be seen here.
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 522 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 14, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
