USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Littlestown > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > East Berlin > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Oxford in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > York Springs > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Berwick in Adams County > History and directory of the boroughs of Gettysburg, Oxford, Littlestown, York Springs, Berwick, and East Berlin, Adams County, Pa. : with historical collections > Part 4
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[On account of the illness of Rev. Dr. Steck, we have been unable to ob- tain a sketch of St. James Ev. Lutheran church.]
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
For many years the Catholics in and around Gettysburg attended di- vine service at Conewago Chapel, a distance of over twelve miles. They were few in number in the beginning of the present century, and not pos- sessed of much of this world's goods, but were devoted to their religion with that characteristic devotion of Catholics the world over, which in- duced them, notwithstanding the distance or the inclemency of the weather, to go to Conewago "to hear mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation." The erection of the first church building was commenced about 1826, on ground given by Jacob Norbeck on Washington street. The church was built under the direction of the Superiors of Conewago Chapel-first Father Louis De Barth, then Father Matthew Leken ; though it is not certain that Father De Barth visited Gettysburg often, as he left Conewago in 1828 for St. John's (now St. Alphonsus') church in Baltimore. The church was not yet completed in 1831, for on the 18th of May in that year, during a heavy thunder storm, the church was struck by lightning. "The fluid passed down the cupola and the wall of the church to the front door, marking its progress by forming a groove to the ground. A plas- terer and several other workmen were prostrated, and remained uncon- scious for some time."
The congregation at Gettysburg, while it belonged to the Jesuits of Con- ewago, had no regular pastor. Conewago had many missions to supply -more so then than now-to which ministers were sent according to the best convenience and judgment of the Superiors. Father Michael Dougherty officiated at Gettysburg alternately with Father Leken, who
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was Superior of Conewago until 1843. After him came Father Joseph Dietz, and some of the older members remember Fathers Kendler, Geo. Villiger, V. H. Barber, and F. X. Denecker as among the priests who held services in the old church at Gettysburg, between 1831 and 1850. The new brick church on High street was built under Father J. B. Cot- ting, in 1852. Up to this time the church was under the jurisdiction of the Jesuits, who also supplied a small congregation at Millerstown. These churches were then handed over to the Bishop of Philadelphia, and were formed, with the mountain church, into a charge-the minister being resi- dent at Gettysburg. The congregation was now served in turn by Rev. Messer, B. A. Shorb, L. J. Miller, A. McGinnis, until 1860. Rev. Jo- seph A. Boll became pastor soon after the battle of Gettysburg, and as such serves yet. Gettysburg and Fairfield form the present charge-the mountain church having been later joined to the Chambersburg charge- and is under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Harrisburg. A handsome parsonage was built nearly opposite the church in 1870 or 1871, and about three years ago a fine school building was erected. The name of the church is St. Francis Xavier's.
THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
One of the bloodiest conflicts during the War of the Rebellion, was the Battle of Gettysburg. It is almost useless, in our limited space, to attempt a readable sketch of this great battle, which of itself would fill a volume. Besides, it has been so thoroughly written up in books and periodicals, that there are few readers of history, who are not well acquainted with its every detail. And further, the scene itself is yet fresh and vivid in the recollection of every citizen of Adams county, and especially those of Gettysburg. The loss and gain to Gettysburg by this great conflict, Dr. Hay thus beautifully expresses: "Whilst the shock of battle broke its quiet slumbers, destroyed its southern trade, cut off most of the southern patronage of its literary institutions, devastated its fields and temporarily exhausted the supplies of its inhabitants, has not all this been more than compensated for by the world-wide fame into which it has been lifted- standing, as it now does, a very synonym of Patriotism-Union-Liberty !" "Gettysburg !" says a distinguished orator, "you were unfortunate and for- tunate in our late war-unfortunate, in having experienced the presence and horrors of war ; fortunate, in having been the spot whereon the Na- poleonic Lee, at the head of his brave, well disciplined and determined army, made his last desperate effort. Here he met his Wellington, re- ceiving from Meade a defeat that was, in its results, a Waterloo to his cause."
After the battle of Chancellorsville, in the beginning of May, 1863, Gen. Lee determined to carry the war into the North. He crossed the Poto- mac the first week in June and captured Hagerstown, entered Chambers- burg on the 22d of the same month, and passed on through Carlisle to
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near Harrisburg. Gov. Curtin now called on the citizens of Pennsylvania to arm in defence of their native State. The response was general. Major Haller addressed a public meeting in Gettysburg on Saturday, June 20th, and the same day a cavalry company was organized under Capt. Robert Bell. A company of infantry, consisting of students of the College and Seminary, was soon after formed, with Mr. Klinefelter as Captain, and proceeded to Harrisburg.
General Hooker now made every preparation to meet his antagonist. The forces of Lee were rapidly concentrated near Gettysburg. On the eve of the battle, the command of the Union army was transferred to Gen. Geo. G. Meade, who took his position on the surrounding hills. The two armies met on the Ist of July, 1863, and for three days the battle raged, reaching its climax on the third, when a confederate column headed by Gen. Pick- ett, made a final and desperate charge on the Union centre. The charge was met with equal bravery, and the men who made it were cut down by hundreds. Victory remained with the Union forces, and Lee was com- pelled to retrace his steps towards the Potomac. All that remained of the Union army at Gettysburg on the Sunday following, were the dead and wounded and a few stragglers.
The first of July was a day of triumph to the Rebels, says M. Jacobs in his Rebel Invasion ; "the second ended without securing them any decided advantage-it was rather ominous of disaster. Yet they were hopeful ; but the third closed, leaving them repulsed at every point, not only show- ing the futility of any further attempt to carry any portion of our lines, or of doing us any serious damage, but the probability of a disastrous result, should our men, as they feared, act on the offensive."
"The Federal losses were four thousand eight hundred and thirty-four killed, including those who died in the various general hospitals located on the field by the surgeons in charge ; fourteen thousand seven hundred and nine wounded, and six thousand six hundred and forty-three missing, of whom nearly four thousand were taken prisoners, mostly from How- ard's Corps in the first day's fight, making a total loss of twenty-five thousand one hundred and eighty-six."
Among the killed were, Gens. Reynolds, Vincent, Weed, Zook, Cross, and Farnsworth; among the wounded, Major-Generals Sickles, Hancock, Butterfield, Doubleday, and Birney, and Brigadier-Generals Barlow, Barnes, Gibbon, Hunt, Graham, Paul, and Willard.
"The Confederate loss was six thousand five hundred killed ; twenty-six thousand wounded; nine thousand prisoners, and four thousand strag- glers ; making a grand total loss of over forty thousand men, besides three guns, forty-one standards, and twenty-five stands of small arms."
Among the killed were, Major-Generals Pender, and Brigadier-Generals Barksdale, Garnett and Semmes; among the wounded, Major-Generals Hood, Heath, and Trimble, and Brigadier-Generals Kemper, Scales, An- derson, and Pettigrew.
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"The numerical strength of the two armies is rather difficult to deter- mine, but it is a safe statement to put Gen. Lee's army, when it crossed the Potomac, at one hundred and five thousand men, with ninety-five thousand actively engaged; the Federal seventy-five thousand, with sixty- five thousand actively engaged."-A. SHEELY, in Dr. Egle's History of Pennsylvania.
What solemn thoughts must fill the mind of every one who passes over the memorable hills and through the historic plains surrounding Gettys- burg ? These hills and valleys -- for three days an arena vaster than that of the Coliseum itself-have been drenched with the blood of many a noble Northern patriot-many a Southern hero, for whom fond parents, loving wives, and affectionate sisters, have been waiting and watching during all the past years-waiting and watching in vain. They are rest- ing near the scene of their brave and fearful struggle-resting in the camp of the "unknown." They are dead, and by their deaths they have dedica- ted these hills and valleys to "Union forever."
Once this soft turf, this rivulet's sands, Were trampled by a hurrying crowd, And fiery hearts and armed hands Encountered in the battle-cloud.
Ah! never shall the land forget How gushed the life-blood of her brave-
Gushed warm with hope and courage yet, Upon the soil they fought to save.
Now all is calm, and fresh, and still ; Alone the chirp of flitting bird, And talk of children on the hill, And bell of wandering kine, are heard.
No solemn host goes trailing by The black-mouthed gun and staggering wain, Men start not at the battle-cry- Oh, be it never heard again !- BRYANT.
THE SOLDIERS NATIONAL CEMETERY.
Long after the Battle of Gettysburg, many of the dead soldiers remained insufficiently buried, and few of the graves were yet marked, in conse- quence of which it occurred to Gov. Curtin and some friends, among whom was Hon. David Wills, that a cemetery should be provided for the proper interment of these noble dead. After correspondence with the Governors of the different States, who greatly approved the project, David Wills was appointed agent for Gov. Curtin, and selected and purchased grounds for a cemetery. The expenses of laying out and ornamenting the cemetery were to be paid by the several States. The cemetery embraces seventeen acres, beautifully laid out in walks and squares, and adjoins Evergreen Cemetery on the Baltimore pike. The cemetery is in the form of a semi-circle, and the soldiers are interred in sections-the section of
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each State being marked by a granite block. The headstones of the graves are all alike, and form a continuous line of granite blocks, having inscribed on each one the name of the soldier, the company and regiment. The following are the interments of the States in the National Cemetery :
Maine, 104; New Hampshire, 49; Vermont, 61 ; Massachusetts, 159; Rhode Island, 12; Connecticut, 22; New York, 867; New Jersey, 78 ; Pennsylvania, 534 ; Delaware, 15 ; Maryland, 22 ; West Virginia, II ; Ohio, 131 ; Indiana, 80; Illinois, 6 ; Michigan, 171, Wisconsin, 73 ; Minnesota, 52 ; United States Regulars, 138; Unknown dead, 979 ; Total, 3,564.
The bronze statue of Gen. Reynolds, who fell in the first days action, stands just inside of the entrance to the Cemetery. It is of semi-colossal size, mounted on a pedestal of granite, and fronts upon the north. "I have visited the Cemetery often," says a distinguished writer, "but never pass it without a hushed and solemn feeling, I linger in its presence with a melancholy pleasure, a reverent awe. It has such power to speak, and yet its lips are so sealed, its silence so eternal. Simple sincerity and singleness of pur- pose, the artist has written into that bronze face. Though battle-smoked, there is something sacrificial there, softening its severity. * He stands with his field-glass in his right hand, his sword is buckled on the left. The left hand hangs easy, calm and strong by his side, and one foot is set for- ward with a prompt, steady, stubborn purpose of advance. *
* You see the soldier, seemingly oblivious to the deadly patter of bullets, the crash of shell, the heavy thunder of cannon, looking, with an almost strained yet marvelously clear and searching eye, out into all the off-lying dis- tances, behind all the hills, into the very depressions and ravines, in quest of the lurking and threatening foe. And no man of all that mighty in- vading host, and no rifle nor cannon they bring with them, nor plan they have formed, seems to be hid from, or lie beyond that eye's gaze."
The National Monument is situated near the semi-circle of graves. It is of light grey granite, sixty feet high, and twenty-five feet square at the base, and is surmounted by a white marble statue of the Genius of Liberty, holding in her right hand the victor's wreath, and clasping in her left the victorious sword. Four buttresses project from the angles of the pedes- tal, supporting four allegorical figures, representing War, History, Peace, and Plenty. "WAR is personified by a statue of an American Soldier, who, resting from the conflict, relates to History the story of the battle which this monument is intended to commemorate. * HISTORY, in 'listening attitude, records with stylus and tablet the achievements of the field, and the names of the honored dead. * * PEACE is symbolized by a statue of the American Mechanic, characterized by appropriate ac- cessories. * * PLENTY is represented by a female figure, with a sheaf of wheat and the fruits of the earth, typifying peace and abundance as the Soldiers crowning triumph."-A. SHEELY, in Dr. Egle's Hist. of Pa.
The work was designed by J. G. Batterson, of Hartford, Conn., and ex- ecuted in Italy under the supervision of Randolph Rogers, the American
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sculptor. The cost of the Cemetery, including the two monuments, was upwards of 150,000. May Ist, 1872, the Cemetery was transferred to the possession and control of the United States. It was dedicated Nov. 19th, 1863, President Lincoln making the address.
"Rest, Soldier, rest; thy warfare o'er Dream of fighting fields no more ; Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Morn of toil, nor night of waking."
"Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanished year has flown, The story how ye fell ; Nor wreck, nor change, nor Winter's blight, Nor Time's remorseless doom, Can dim one ray of holy light That gilds your glorious tomb."
THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
The Theological Seminary of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the U. S. was established in the year 1826, at Gettys- burg, and is still in successful operation, having furnished to the Lutheran Church in this country hundreds of its most efficient ministers. The Rev. S. S. Schmucker was the first Professor. It offers every advantage for the quiet and thorough prosecution of theological studies. The full course of study is three years, and embraces all the branches of a complete theo- logical education. The annual session begins on the last Thursday in September, and closes the fourth Thursday in June. The library of this institution is one of the most valuable collections of Theological works in this country. The Faculty and Instructors at present are the following : J. A. Brown, D. D., LL. D., Professor of Theology, Homiletics, &c .; Chas. A. Hay, D. D., Professor of Hebrew, German, Pastoral Theology, &c .; E. J. Wolf, D. D., Professor of Church History, N. T. Exegesis, &c .; J. G. Morris, D. D., LL. D., of Baltimore, Lecturer on Pulpit Elocution and the Relations of Science and Revelation ; L. E. Albert, D. D., of German- town, Pa., Lecturer (in 1881) on the Augsburg Confession ; John Leyburn, D. D., of Baltimore, Lecturer (in 1881) on "Methods in Ministerial Work ;" Chas. A. Hay, D. D., is chairman of the Faculty.
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PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE.
Pennsylvania College was founded in 1832. It is situated in the north- western section of the borough limits with Washington street passing be- tween the grounds of the College proper and those of the Preparatory Department. The site of the main building was purchased from Thad- deus Stevens, then and for some years afterwards a resident of Gettysburg. The edifice itself is "a chaste specimen of the Doric order of architecture, consisting of a centre building and two wings, with end projections. The whole length is 150 feet. The building is four stories high surmounted by an octagonal cupola 17 feet in diameter and 24 feet high, with observatory on top. The entire front of centre building is occupied by a portico con- sisting of four fluted columns, 221/2 feet high, resting on abutments raised to the height of the second story. The edifice is of brick, and the whole exterior is painted white. It contains recitation rooms, chapel, halls of the literary societies, libraries, reading rooms, as well as rooms for the oc- cupancy of students." The additional buildings, erected at intervals since the completion of the main one, are (1) the Linnaan Hall, which contains the mineralogical, botanical and zoological cabinets, the chemical labora- tory, philosphical apparatus, and lecture room of the scientific department ; (2) the Preparatory Hall, situated on Carlisle street ; (3) the Astronomical Observatory ; (4) McCreary Hall, or gymnasium, where the students take their physical exercise ; (5) the President's residence ; and (6) a double house occupied by two of the Professors. The grounds cover not less than 20 acres.
The institution started with the full curriculum of studies adopted by the best American colleges, and also added at once a course in the German language, something exceptional in the colleges of that day. This cur- riculum has been kept abreast with the progress of the times and now holds a deservedly high rank.
The equipment in libraries, apparatus, etc., is excellent. The libraries
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contain over 20,000 volumes of well selected works ; the scientific appara- tus is of modern construction and very complete for class-room instruction, and the mineralogical collection is not excelled by that of any other col- lege in the State.
The first class was graduated in 1834, and at this date (1880) there are 639 on the alumni roll. Besides these there are about 1800 who were con- nected with the College for longer or shorter periods, but did not complete the prescribed course. This makes an average of at least 50 per year of those who have been sent out by this institution into the different avoca- tions of life.
The productive endowment fund is about $120,000. This is securely in- vested, and the remarkable fact appears that not one dollar of the funds that have been under the control of the Board of Trustees has been lost by bad investment.
The College is now. in a flourishing condition, the present collegiate year having opened with a larger number of students than usual. The patronage is chiefly from Pennsylvania and Maryland, though many other States are ordinarily represented.
The Preparatory Department, which has been connected with the Col- lege from the time it was founded, is intended primarily to fit students for the Freshman class in the parent institution, but the course of studies pur- sued are also well adapted for qualifying young men for teaching in our public schools. It is claimed, indeed, by those who have had ample op- portunities for judging, that the drill and instruction of this preparatory school are superior to that given in schools which are specially intended for those who purpose to make teaching their life-work. The building on Carlisle street is devoted entirely to this department.
The Board of Trustees, who have control of the general management of the College, consists of thirty-six members and is self-perpetuating. The. members are elected for three years, one-third retiring each year and an equal number being elected to succeed them. They elect the professors and other instructors, enact the generai laws of discipline, have charge of the buildings and other property, manage the finances, and attend to such other matters as usually devolve upon such a body. The present officers are,-David A. Buehler, Esq., President ; John M. Krauth, Esq., Secre- tary ; Mr. Alex. D. Buehler, Treasurer.
There is published, under the auspices of the institution, a magazine, called The Pennsylvania College Monthly, which is issued during the nine months of the collegiate year. It is under the editorial and business man- agement of representatives from the faculty, alumni and students, and is zealously devoted to advancing the interests of the college in every aspect of its work. It is now completing its fourth volume and bears every evi- dence of being well sustained.
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Pennsylvania College has a full and experienced corps of instructors. The faculty as now constituted is as follows :
FACULTY.
M. VALENTINE, D. D, PRESIDENT.
REV. P. M BIKLE, A. M
Professor of Intellectual and Moral Science.
Ockershausen Prof. of Physics And Astronomy.
L. H. CROLL, A. M.
E. S. BREIDENBAUGH, A. M.
Professor of Mathematics
Conrad Prof. of Chemistry and Mineralogy
REV. ADAM MARTIN, A. M. M. F. TROXELL, A B. Proctor.
Professor of the Gernan Language. HENRY E. JACOBS, D. D.
Franklin Professor of the Ancient Languages.
HOLMES DYSINGER, A. B. Tutor.
JOHN A. HIMES, A M.
Graeff Professor of the English Language.
CHARLES W. HEISLER, A B. Tutor
ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. BY WM. B. MEALS.
For the early history of this church the reader is referred to the history of Christ's Church as compiled by C. A. Hay, D. D., which church is the out- growth of St. James. The separation took place in 1835. The two congre- gations were served by Rev. B. Keller, as pastor. In 1839 he resigned the pastorship of Christ's Church and continued pastor of St. James' to Nov. 1851. During his pastorship steps were taken and plans inaugurated to erect a church edifice in East York street, on a lot of ground donated to the church by Hon. Geo. Smyser, (then a member), and in 1848, the building now occupied by the congregation, was completed. In 1857, Rev. P. Anstadt, of Baltimore, Md., was elected as pastor, who served to 1854. Next in rotation is Rev. R. Hill, who served to 1857. Next, Rev. J. R. Keiser, who served to 1861. Next, Rev. A. Essick, who served dur- ing the memorable battle of Gettysburg, when the church building was used as a Hospital for the sick and wounded. In 1864, he resigned, and in 1865, Rev. E. Breidenbaugh was chosen, who served as pastor to Oct. 1871, when, his health failing, he found it necessary to resign. In 1872, Rev. W. S. Heindel, (a licentiate) became pastor, but resigned the same year. In 1873, Rev. G. W. Enders, of Bridgetown, N. J., became pastor, who served to 1874, when his health became so impaired that he was com- pelled to resign. In 1875 Rev. D. Steck, D. D., of Middletown, Md., was chosen pastor, who has been serving the congregation acceptably ever since. It is at present in a good and prosperous condition numbering five hundred members. The Sunday School connected with it, has the honor of being the largest in the county. It is under the efficient management of G. W. Spangler, Superintendent, and J. G. Wolf, As- sistant.
*Through the kindness of Mr. Meals this sketch was prepared after the matter of the other churches was already printed. This will explain why it does not come in among the other churches.
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GETTYSBURG.
THE COURT HOUSE AND THE JAIL.
The Act of the Legislature creating Adams County out of part of York, was "passed 22nd of January, 1800." William McClellan, Henry Hoke, and William Hamilton were appointed to purchase a lot or lots in Gettys- burg and thereupon erect a court-house and a prison. The former was built in the centre of the "public square," and the latter on East High street, where the county jail is still located. In a statement made by the building commissioners, on the 27th of January, 1804, the cost of the court- house and jail was given at $9,802.70.
About three o'clock, on the morning of January 7th, 1850, the jail was found to be on fire, and all efforts to save it proved unavailing. Two lives were lost by the fire. John Toner died from suffocation, and Isaac Musselman's body was almost entirely consumed. Both were insane, and had been placed at the jail for safe-keeping.
The present prison was erected during the following summer, at a cost of nearly $10,000. By reason of original defects, it has proven a costly structure to the county, but is now as secure as can be made.
The present court-house, (corner of Baltimore and West Middle Streets,) was built in 1858-9, at a cost of about $17,000. It is a handsome, com- modious, and substantial structure-probably the best for the money to be found in the commonwealth.
GETTYSBURG KATALYSINE SPRINGS.
Gettysburg is becoming widely known for its mineral waters. The Kå- talysine Spring is located about one mile west of town, where a large hotel has been built, which is filled with guests from the cities during the summer months.
The temperature of the Spring remains at fifty-seven degrees Fahren- heit, while that of the springs of the mountains varies between fifty and fifty-two degrees. The management of the Gettysburg Springs Hotel under Mr. H. Yingling, and the sanitary advantage of its waters, are said to compare favorably with many of the celebrated "Spa" hotels in Europe.
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