In 1999, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (GBPA) bought the 140-acre Daniel Lady farm at auction. Situated at 986 Hanover Road, the farm was on a major road since colonial days.
The
1990 National Park boundary placed the farm in the National Battlefield Historic
District of Straban Township. In an attempt to encourage private owners to conserve the landscape, the
National Park Service removed the tract from its 1893 boundary area. This preservation measure fell short of the desired outcome during the
1990’s. Commercial
development quickly overtook the Route 30 or York Street area, adjacent to the
Lady farm. School
construction, malls, the threat of housing development, and inactivity of the
Historic Architectural Review Board heightened concerns by March of 1999. The GBPA acted swiftly and decisively in saving this unique farm.
The rear of the grand old farmhouse, built around 1835.
The original hair plaster walls, flooring, steps, doors, hardware, and fireplaces were all intact awaiting some tender loving care.
Detail of blood stains on floor of Daniel Lady Farmhouse. The wounds of Henry Kyd Douglas, the “boy major” Joseph Latimer, Colonel Higginbotham, Captain William D. Brown and General John Jones were treated here.
Union General Williams approached from the east, threatening the Confederate left flank. His attack exposed the vulnerability of the Confederate left flank. Ewell then assigned a division to occupy the farm as the left flank of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg.
General Edward “Allegheny” Johnson, division commander, used the stone house as his division headquarters.
The famous “Stonewall Brigade, under General Walker, Jones brigade, ‘Maryland’ Steuart’ s brigade, Nicholls’ Louisiana Brigade, and Andrew’s artillery battalion were bivouacked on the farm, north of the Hanover Road. Various Confederate staff meetings took place on the farm. Generals Ewell, Early, and Johnson planned the cannonade of Culp’s and East Cemetery Hills there on July 2nd.
The stone house and barn were used as a Confederate field hospital. Johnson’s division listed 1269 wounded. Burials were recorded on the site.
Ewell’s “reports of Union Cavalry out the Hanover Road” were correct! The 3rd Pennsylvania and 10th New York Cavalry regiments battled all day July 2nd with the Stonewall Brigade.
Looking straight overhead, Union artillery shrapnel stuck in an original oak beam. Note: the beam still has the bark on it from the 1840s.
still be seen in the beams and rafters.The great barn. The German style calls for the over-hang to be part of the restoration. Artillery holes can
A section of artillery on top of Benner’s Hill. These Guns are from Andrew’s Battalion, commanded by Major Joseph Latimer, the “Boy Major”, for whom the park road is named. The above guns represent the Battery commanded by Captain William D. Brown, The Chesapeake (Maryland) Artillery Battery.
“My loss in this terrible battle was heavy….”
General Edward “Allegheny” JohnsonThe Rockbridge Artillery early in the morning were positioned north of the Hanover Road. The battery had six twenty-pounder Parrotts. Major Sandie Pendleton in the company of General Ewell and staff rode by to deliver letters to his old friend and neighbor, Edward Moore. (The old 18th century road cuts through the Lady farm toward the Hunterstown Road near the Rockbridge position.)
Edward Moore,Cannoneer
“I rode with General Ewell to examine a position for artillery on the left.”
General Early’s Official ReportLatimer, the “young Napoleon,” rode to the front and with sword aloft called the battalion to attention and ordered it to fire.
Jacob Cook, Chesapeake Artillery
Major Joseph W. Latimer, Andrews’ Artillery Battalion, the “boy major” whose chivalrous bearing…won him a reputation to be envied, received a severe wound on the evening of the 2d…which he has since died.
General Johnson’s Official Report
During the prelude to battle on July 2d, Lt. Randolph McKim, aide to General Steuart, conducted religious services for men in his brigade.
Harry Pfanz, Gettysburg—Culp’s Hill & Cemetery Hill
“My chief medical officer, Surgeon Bushrod Taylor, brought to the performance of the difficult task devolved upon him the same ability, zeal, untiring industry, and conscientious devotion to duty which have always marked his official connection with the brigade.”
General John Johns
The Lady Farm has a rich history of the soldiers’ duty and sacrifice. Your generosity will honor their memory and be appreciated.
Official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State, 1-800-732-0999. The GBPA is registered at the Charities Bureau, Harrisburg, PA. Registration does not imply endorsement by the Commonwealth.
