The Hospital on Seminary Ridge at the Battle of Gettysburg

"Old Dorm," which served as the first classroom and dormitory of the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary, is a familiar tourist site-Union Cavalry General John Buford directed the opening stages of the battle of Gettysburg from the building’s distinctive cupola and some of the bloodiest fighting of the three-day conflict took place on Seminary Ridge. However, few visitors realize the building’s important role as the second largest hospital at Gettysburg, both during and after the battle. During the peak occupancy, 600-700 wounded soldiers from both armies were cared for at this site. This work presents the history of the Gettysburg Seminary during the Civil War and the important cast of characters that have passed through its halls by utilizing the firsthand accounts of soldiers, civilians, surgeons, and relief agency personnel. Also included is the prewar and postwar history of the Seminary, as well as information about President Samuel S. Schmucker and the Abolition Movement. "Old Dorm," which served as the first classroom and dormitory of the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary, is where Union Cavalry General John Buford directed the opening stages of the battle of Gettysburg from the building's distinctive cupola and some of the bloodiest fighting of the three-day conflict took place on Seminary Ridge. The building's important role, however, was as the second largest hospital at Gettysburg during and after the battle. At the peak occupancy, 600-700 wounded soldiers from both armies were cared for at this site. This work presents the history of the Gettysburg Seminary during the Civil War and the important cast of characters that have passed through its halls by utilizing the firsthand accounts of soldiers, civilians, surgeons, and relief agency personnel. Also included is the prewar and postwar history of the Seminary, as well as information about President Samuel S. Schmucker and the abolition movement Cover......Page 1 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Abbreviations in Photograph Credits......Page 7 Contents......Page 6 Foreword by Frederick K. Wentz......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 Prologue......Page 16 Chapter 1: The Seminary Comes to Gettysburg......Page 20 Chapter 2: A House Divided......Page 31 Chapter 3: Wolf at the Door......Page 39 Chapter 4: The Armies Converge......Page 52 Chapter 5: July 1, 1863: The Battle Opens......Page 68 Chapter 6: The Hospital During the Battle: July 1–July 4, 1863......Page 100 Chapter 7: The Hospital Period: July 5–September 1863......Page 127 Epilogue......Page 159 Appendix I: Patient Deaths in the Lutheran Seminary Hospital......Page 176 Appendix II: List of Surgeons and Medical Officers, Lutheran Seminary Hospital......Page 178 Notes......Page 180 Bibliography......Page 202 Index......Page 206