The Spangler farm served as a field hospital for five weeks after the battle with as many as 1,900 soldiers from both armies receiving medical treatment. The farm site, restored to its nineteenth-century appearance and operated by the Gettysburg Foundation, offers an outstanding opportunity to examine in detail the various medical, social, and military challenges of handling an unexpected mass casualty event. The experiences of George and Elizabeth Spangler and their four children, all of whom remained on the farm through the ordeal, offer a window into the civilian experience after the battle, while extant physicians’ case notes provide insight into the state of medical care available to patients suffering from traumatic injuries of all sorts. But it’s the stories of soldiers recovering from the trauma of the battle, and those of their families eagerly awaiting word on their condition, that bring special poignancy to this site visit. In short, the reality of the aftermath of battle comes together in exceptionally powerful ways on this seemingly peaceful property.

Facilitators: Dr. Carol Reardon and Dr. Tim Orr