Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center can ride the shuttle bus to the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital to enjoy a special program on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. in the historic barn. Gettysburg Foundation Board member David Malgee will present a biography of Colonel Eliakim Sherrill. Malgee will display his personal artifacts relating to Col. Sherrill, including his full uniform and several objects that Sherrill carried to Gettysburg and had with him at the time of his mortal wounding at the height of Pickett’s Charge. Sherrill is one of the least documented regimental and brigade officers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. Much of the information Malgee will present has never before been researched or published.
Sherrill enlisted in the 126th New York as a Colonel in August 1862. In September 1862, he became a paroled prisoner of war at Harpers Ferry. During Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863, Col. Sherrill of the 126th New York Volunteer Infantry and the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Corps received a mortal gunshot wound. Taking over command of the brigade from Col. George Willard after his death in battle on July 2, 1863, Col. Sherrill was mortally wounded by a musket shot while standing with the 39th New York Volunteers. Sherrill was taken to the 11th Corps field hospital at the George Spangler Farm, where he died July 4, 1863. Col. Sherrill is buried in the Washington Street Cemetery in Geneva, New York.
The George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital will remain open for the summer season for living history and programs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. until 3:20 p.m. through Aug 14, 2022. Admission to the historic site is included with the purchase of a Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience ticket at the Museum & Visitor Center. Visitors also have the option to purchase single timed shuttle tickets for admission to the historic site. Friends of Gettysburg members receive complimentary admission and timed shuttle to the site during summer season weekends.
Access to the historic site is via timed shuttles departing the Museum & Visitor Center Friday through Sunday every 20 minutes starting at 10 a.m. with the last shuttle to the site at 1:40 p.m. The last returning shuttle to the Museum & Visitor Center departs the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital at 3:20 p.m.
Visit GettysburgFoundation.org or call 877-874-2478 for timed shuttle tickets for the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital and for the experiences, tours, historic sites and events offered by the Gettysburg Foundation.