Located behind the Union line on Cemetery Hill with its perimeter bound by two local roads, one of which connected to two major highways, the Spangler Farm was an ideal location for Union troops. On July 1, 1863, the Spangler Farm and all of its buildings were seized. The site would serve a dual purpose for the Union, storage for artillery and ammunition reserves and accommodations for the Eleventh Corps' field hospital. After the battle, its primary role was as a surgical hospital for soldiers of both sides.

General Lewis A. Armistead

Although expelled from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he was later commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry in 1839. He served in the Mexican War and was wounded at Chapultepec, earning two brevets for bravery. In 1863, Armistead resigned as a captain in the U.S. Army and offered his services to the Confederacy.

In the Confederacy, Armistead was first commissioned as a major, but was quickly promoted to brigadier general of the 57th Virginia Infantry regiment. He fought under Gen. Robert E. Lee at Seven Pines, Seven Days battles, Second Bull Run and Antietam. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Gen. Armistead served under Maj. Gen. George Pickett.

Gen. Armistead led his brigade towards the center of the Union line during Pickett's Charge. During Pickett's Charge, Gen. Armistead placed his hat on the tip of his saber and waved it in the air to lead his troops over the stone wall at the Angle, the climax of Pickett's Charge. In this heroic act, Gen. Armistead was wounded, but his brigade advanced farther than any other, leading to the term "the high tide of the Confederacy." It was quickly besieged by a Union counterattack.

The Union's Eleventh Corps Field Hospital was located at the Spangler Farm. Gen. Armistead was taken to the farm's summer kitchen for treatment by Chief Surgeon Daniel G. Brinton. His wounds were not considered life threatening, but at around 9 a.m. on July 5, 1863 he died. Secondary complications such as shock, extreme physical and mental exhaustion, and fever are considered to be the primary cause of his death. Defiant to the end, his last few words spoken were, "Men who can subsist on raw corn can never be whipped." His body was later buried in Baltimore, Md.

Bank barns are characterized by two ground level entrances, one entrance on the bank of a hill to the barn's upper level and the other to the lower level. This barn style traces its roots to the 17th century in the United Kingdom. However, it was in the 19th century in the United States when this design became wildly popular. Bank barns once dotted the rural landscape. Unfortunately, today, original bank barns from the 19th century are few and far between. The Gettysburg Foundation plans to rehabilitate the Spangler Farm bank barn in order to preserve a vital part of our rural heritage for future generations.

The barn was specifically used as part of the field hospital to house the injured after the Battle of Gettysburg. The barn provided additional space, which created a safe haven for the recovery and care of Union and Confederate soldiers who had undergone surgery. Until mid-August 1863, the Spangler Farm treated over 1,400 wounded soldiers on both sides. This barn is an integral part of the history of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The restoration of the barn will not only preserve an important piece of American history, but it will also assist the Gettysburg Foundation in fulfilling its educational mission. The restored barn will be used for various interpretive and educational programs. The upper level of the barn may be converted to classroom and performance space. Additionally, the barn will be used for living history demonstrations of farming life and civilian life in Gettysburg, 19th century medical procedures, logistical operations of the Civil War and much more.

TOURISM CARES

In April 2009, more than 200 volunteers from Tourism Cares arrived in Gettysburg to help with preliminary clean-up efforts at the Spangler Farm. Their work has helped in the early stages of rehabilitation of this historic farm.

In 2009, the Gettysburg Foundation purchased the
Spangler Farm with the support of The Williams Family Foundation of Georgia, coupled with support of hundreds of others. At this time, the Gettysburg Foundation is conducting an Historic Structures Report (HSR) to determine what must be done to rehabilitate the property to its 1863 condition. Early projections for restoration and development of the buildings and property are $2.5 million. Scope of the work would include design, renovations and landscaping. However, until historic structure studies are completed, this budget is only an estimate.

THE RECOGNITION BENEFITS

The Gettysburg Foundation will work with donors to tailor recognition and benefits appropriate to their gift. Recognition for a leadership gift would include:

• Recognition on a plaque located at the Spangler Farm;
• Recognition on the Lead Donor Wall at the main entrance lobby in the new Museum and Visitor Center. This recognition would be viewed by Gettysburg's two million plus annual visitors.
• Recognition at the Gettysburg Electronic Kiosk, which allows donors to craft a personalized message which will be read by all visitors;
• Recognition in appropriate print and other communications;
• Recognition in the Gettysburg Foundation's public relations outreach;
• A VIP visit to Gettysburg (this may include private meetings with the Gettysburg National Military Park superintendent and Gettysburg Foundation president).