A modern view of the heavily modified house near Farmers, Pennsylvania, that in 1863 was the site of the headquarters of a soon-to-be-prominent Confederate general during the Gettysburg Campaign.

Background posts: Confederate camp site series, Wiest house in Spring Grove.

By late May of 1863, Farmers area resident Jacob S. Altland and his wife may have been following the war news, discussing the latest events following the Battle of Chancellorsville and wondering what the next great conflict might be. Or, like many others, they could have been ignoring the distant war, figuring that it was down south and of no immediate consequence to them. The focus would be on the upcoming summer harvest. Their tidy farmhouse was tucked into a hillside just off the bustling Gettysburg Pike, away from the winter winds and situated over a fresh spring, which bubbled up in the cool cellar.

Little could the Altlands realize that within a month, their house would be the epicenter of an ecampment of more than 1,500 enemy soldiers, and their commander would be sleeping in a feather bed in their home (and, more than 145 years later, their house would be featured worldwide on some new-fangled invention called the global Internet)...

Posted in Confederate camp sites

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When not on campaign, Civil War troops (particularly the Federals) had semi-permanent camps with tents and log structures. While on the road, they made do without these luxuries. For the Rebels on the march to Pennsylvania, the camp was usually a piece of grass, an old blanket, and the starry sky. (Library of Congress)

Recently I posted a message and photograph of the John Wiest house / tavern in Spring Grove, which was used as a Confederate camp site during the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign. Some of you have inquired as to the locations of other CSA camps and headquarters during the Confederate invasion, so I will begin a series of occasional articles on the topic. First, some basic information to help set the table for this new series...

Posted in Confederate camp sites Confederates Gettysburg Campaign Other places Spring Grove Wrightsville York

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Every day, thousands of cars and trucks rumble through the new traffic circle in Spring Grove, passing by the old stone house pictured above. Few, if any, are aware of the historic significance of the building, which has been the local library, a private residence, and now is the headquarters of a flooring company. However, years ago, it served as the temporary headquarters for a Confederate cavalry unit from Virginia and Maryland during the 1863 Gettysburg Campaign. The area was the campsite of these Rebels on the Saturday night before the Battle of Gettysburg.

Posted in Civilians Confederate camp sites Gettysburg Campaign Spring Grove

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