Straban Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"The sight of blood never again affected me"
Photographed By Gettysburg Daily, November 9, 2008
1. "The sight of blood never again affected me" Marker
Photo courtesy of Gettysburg Daily.
With the departure of the two armies following the battle, the burden of caring for the wounded fell largely on the shoulders of the local civilians. Although much attention has been paid to the United States Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission, little notice has been given to the area citizens whose houses and barns were used as field hospitals.
Sally Myers, a young woman of 21 in 1863, was one of the many local residents who nursed the wounded at Camp Letterman. In later years she recalled:
The sight of blood never again affected me and I was among the wounded and dying men day and night. While the battle lasted and the town was in possession of the rebels, I went back and forth between my home and the hospitals without fear. The soldiers called me brave, but I am afraid the truth was that I did not know enough to be afraid and if I had known enough I had no time to think of the risk I ran, for my heart and my hands were full… I shall always be thankful that I was permitted to minster to the wants and soothe the last hours of some of the brave men who lay suffering and dying for the dear old flag.
Erected 2000 by Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 39° 50.367′ N, 77° 12.36′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Straban Township. Marker is on Natural Springs Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in a shopping complex, south of York Road (US Highway 30). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. "His recovery … is yet considered doubtful" (here, next to this marker); Camp Letterman (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Location of Field Hospitals (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Camp Letterman (approx. half a mile away); W.H. Monfort Farm (approx. half a mile away); Manor of Maske (approx. 0.7 miles away); Massie's Battery - Nelson's Battalion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Kirkpatrick's Battery - Nelson's Battalion (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. In the upper center is a portrait of Sally Myers. On the lower right is a photo of Camp Letterman in September 1863. View looking
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
2. Camp Letterman Markers
These markers were vandalized in the fall of 2008.
Also see . . . Camp Letterman Tour. Collection of articles from Gettysburg Daily, featuring Licensed Battlefield Guide Phil Lechak. (Submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, April 4, 2009
3. Camp Letterman Hospital Site
Looking back toward York Street. The trees in this area were recently cleared. In this area stood the dining and cook tents.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,865 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
