History Commons^™

George Arnold (1799-1879) And A Town Immortalized, Charles H. Glatfelter

Adams County History

No abstract provided.

Interview With Arthur Bruce Boenau, June 9, 2005, Arthur Bruce Boenau, Michael J. Birkner

Oral Histories

Arthur Bruce Boenau was interviewed on June 9, 2005 by Michael Birkner about his life and time as a professor of Political Science at Gettysburg College. He discusses his childhood, his experiences during World War II and the Korean War in the Counterintelligence Corps, and finally his memories of the faculty, administrators, and students at Gettysburg.

Length of Interview: 94 minutes

Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection maintained by Special Collections & College Archives. Transcripts are available for browsing in the Special Collections Reading Room, 4^th floor, Musselman Library. GettDigital contains the complete …

Jack Hopkins' Civil War, Peter C. Vermilyea

Adams County History

In the 1862 Pennsylvania College album there is a photograph of John Hopkins, who that year was entering his fifteenth year of service as the college's janitor. In one student's book, the portrait of Hopkins jokingly refers to him as the school's "vice president." This appellation speaks volumes about the life of the African-American custodian, for while it was clearly made in jest as a token of the students' genuine affection for Hopkins, it symbolizes the gulf between the white students and the black janitor. It goes without saying that the students found the picture humorous because they understood that …

Adams County History 2005

Adams County History

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of Media Perceptions Regarding African Americans In Gettsyburg Throughout 1963, Brendan M. Shelley

The Gettysburg Historical Journal

On Monday, September 28, 1863, the Compiler, Gettysburg Pennsylvania’s Democratic newspaper, published an article taken from the Sussex Messenger about a black man forcing himself onto a white woman. The girl, daughter of Mr. Daniel Messick, was going from her father’s house which was just outside of the town limits to a neighbor’s home when she was suddenly assaulted by a black man. The man jumped out from behind thick brush and grabbed the girl. A struggle ensued and the assailant ripped off the girl’s clothing and put his hand over her mouth in order to keep her from …

Ms-061: Charles A. Rubright Collection, Stephen H. Light

All Finding Aids

The Charles A. Rubright Collection consists primarily of three journals he kept throughout the war and a letter he sent from Andersonville Prison camp to his sister. Also included are postwar news clippings about Rubright, the hymn book he kept while in the army, and a letter addressed to him from a Confederate veteran thanking him for a donation made towards the establishment of a soldiers home for infirm veterans.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding Aids are discovery tools used to describe and provide access to our holdings. Finding aids include historical and biographical information about each collection in …

Ms-060: Henry N. Bemis Diaries, Stephen H. Light

All Finding Aids

The Henry N. Bemis collection consists primarily of two diaries kept by Bemis during the Civil War. The first diary runs from July 17th, 1862 to March 14th, 1864 while the second diary runs from March 17th 1864 to July 4th 1864. Both diaries contain frequent entries detailing the events of each day. Also included in the collection are two tintypes, a photograph, and Bemis’ discharge from service. The two tintypes are most likely images of Bemis and his wife, Georgia A. Bemis.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding Aids are discovery tools used to describe and provide access to …

In Defense Of Colonel Richard P. Roberts, Commanding Officer Of The Pennsylvania 140th Regiment, Gregory Jason Bell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Richard P. Roberts was the colonel of the Pennsylvania 140th regiment from its organization in September 1862 until his death at Gettysburg in July 1863. During this time period, Captain David Acheson of Company C fostered a “growing dislike” for the colonel that led him to portray the colonel negatively in his writings. Unfortunately for the colonel’s reputation, Acheson’s letters have been widely published, leading at least one historian to accept Acheson’s poor opinion of the colonel as fact. However, other primary sources exist which collectively demonstrate a positive regimental opinion of the colonel and further suggest that Acheson’s criticisms …

Interview With Carey A. Moore, December 30, 2003, Carey A. Moore, Michael J. Birkner

Oral Histories

Carey A. Moore was interviewed on December 30, 2003 by Michael Birkner about his experiences after leaving Gettysburg College and moving on ultimately toward a Ph.D and then a teaching career.

Length of Interview: 94 minutes

Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection maintained by Special Collections & College Archives. Transcripts are available for browsing in the Special Collections Reading Room, 4^th floor, Musselman Library. GettDigital contains the complete listing of oral histories done from 1978 to the present. To view this list and to access selected digital versions please visit -- https://gettysburg.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16274coll2/search

Ms-018: Robert W. Koons Collection, Christine M. Ameduri

All Finding Aids

Robert W. Koons graduated from Gettysburg College in 1943 with an A.B. in English, earned a B.D. from Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1946 and a D.D. from Susquehanna University in 1958. While a student at Gettysburg College he served at various times as President of the Student Christian Association, Literary Editor of the Mercury, Corresponding Secretary of the Pre-Ministerial Association and Treasurer of Delta Phi Alpha and was a member of various other campus organizations. He received Highest Class Honors in his Freshman and Junior years and Class Honors in his sophomore year.

Special Collections and College Archives Finding …

Ms-029: Letters Written To People From Biglerville During World War Ii, Jaclyn Campbell

All Finding Aids

This collection is comprised of letters to Olive Tipton and Sara Miller.

The letters written to Olive Tipton were exclusively from George Sandoe (1893- 1975), a private serving in the Antiaircraft Division of the Service stationed throughout the United States during the course of these letters. During the course of training, a blood vessel ruptured in Sandoe’s leg, sending him to the hospital, where the latter portion of this series was written. This series is composed mostly of correspondence concerning Tipton’s life in Biglerville during the war and day to day matters such as business advice for Tipton’s turkey farm. …

Interview With Marion Ecker, June 23, 2001, Marion Ecker, Michael J. Birkner

Oral Histories

Marion Ecker was interviewed on June 23, 2001 by Michael J. Birkner about her life as a resident of Adams County. Ecker discusses her childhood and education at Shippensburg State, as well as her teaching career in Gettysburg. She also discusses her connections to Gettysburg College, especially the Plank family.

Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection maintained by Special Collections & College Archives. Transcripts are available for browsing in the Special Collections Reading Room, 4^th floor, Musselman Library. GettDigital contains the complete listing of oral histories done from 1978 to the present. To …

Slavery And Justice Today, Jacob Dinkelaker

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

'doubleshotcanister' makes a great point about being ever mindful of our present connections to past historical atrocities, crimes against humanity, and the other not-so-shining moments of our country's history. I agree with him. Not only do we have to come clean about our nation's past history - equally laying out the bad and good to find a useable past, but also to be cognizant of our decisions and actions today. [excerpt]

The Practice Of Leadership: The Life And Times Of Joshua L. Chamberlain, Patrick W. Carlton

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Publications

Explores the life and achievements of Brevet Major General J.L. Chamberlain, the "hero of Little Round Top," describing his activities as pre-war professor, Civil War leader, and post-war governor, college president and federal official. Chamberlain, a military novice at the beginning of the war, was appointed second-in command of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, in August, 1862. Quickly learning the soldier's craft, Chamberlain was promoted to Colonel and regimental commander in June, 1863, just prior to the battle of Gettysburg. There the unit, profiting from Chamberlain's inspired and creative leadership, is credited with preventing the extreme left flank of …

Interview With Robert Reynolds, August 23, 2000, Robert Reynolds, Michael J. Birkner

Oral Histories

In the last part of a series of interviews conducted by Michael J. Birkner, Robert Reynolds discussed on August 23, 2000 his life after World War II. After the war, Reynolds moved to Gettysburg. He discussed his time at a rubber factory and his decision to become a teacher at 50.

Length of Interview: 49 minutes

Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection maintained by Special Collections & College Archives. Transcripts are available for browsing in the Special Collections Reading Room, 4^th floor, Musselman Library. GettDigital contains the complete listing of oral histories done …

Ms-009: Ambrose Henry Hayward Papers, Melodie A. Foster

All Finding Aids

The Ambrose Henry Hayward Collection consists primarily of correspondence from the period April 14, 1861 through August 17, 1864. The bulk of the letters were written by A.H. Hayward to his father, sister and brothers, but the collection includes 3 letters written by Melville Hayward of the 7th New York (6/22/1862, 7/10/1862, 7/23/1862), letters from Henry's commanding officers regarding his service and four letters regarding Henry's death.

Also included in the collection are several newspaper clippings about the 28th Pennsylvania, Hayward's 1862 promotion to Sergeant, and 19 envelopes addressed to Mr. Ambrose, Mr. Albert, Mr. John and Miss Hannah C. …

Some Culp Family Members In The Civil War, David A. Culp

Adams County History

In the 1860s Gettysburg had a population of around 2,400. The Culps had lived there since 1787, the year Christopher Culp purchased the farm, located on the east end of town, with its western boundry starting at Baltimore St. between Breckenridge and South Streets, going northeast to South Stratton St. and Wall Alley East, then on to East Middle St. between South Stratton and Liberty Streets. The town more or less ended at the farm boundary. Prominent on the farm and southeast of town was Culp's Hill. Five generations of Culps had lived in Gettysburg by the time of the …

Building A Battle Site: Roads To And Through Gettysburg, Elwood W. Christ

Adams County History

On the morning of 1 July 1863, lead elements of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia advanced on the town of Gettysburg situated in the lush farm lands of south-central Pennsylvania just eight miles east of the South Mountain in Adams county. The Southern reconnaissance in force made early that summer morning was destined not only to change the history of the struggling Confederacy, but also to set the infant United States republic, indeed the world, on courses towards more democratic forms of government.

Although many historians have dwelled on those three fateful days in 1863, few …

Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 42, No. 2, Wendell R. Zercher, Charles Greg Kelley, Robert P. Stevenson, Henry J. Kauffman, John W. Parsons, Roy Christman, Elwood Christman, Greg Huber

Pennsylvania Folklife Magazine

• Charles E. Starry, Adams County Chair Maker
• Lewis Miller's Chronicle of York: A Picture of Life in Early America
• Family Anecdotes from a Georges Creek Home
• The Pennsylvania-German Schrank
• The Barns of Towamensing Township
• A Review of Robert F. Ensminger's The Pennsylvania Barn

A Salutary Influence: Gettysburg College, 1832-1985, Charles H. Glatfelter

Gettysburg College Faculty Books

Written by Professor and Alumnus Dr. Charles H. Glatfelter '46, A Salutary Influence was published in 1987 in commemoration of Gettysburg College’s 150th anniversary. The two-volume set includes a detailed index at the end of the second volume.

In Commemoration Of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain : A Guide - Bibliography, Maine State Archives

Maine Collection

In Commemoration of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain : A Guide - Bibliography

Compiled and Edited by Barrett Parker, Pejepscot Historical Society and Sylvia J. Sherman, Maine State Archives.

"Published under Appropriation No. 1065.1".

Maine State Archives, Augusta, Maine (May 1, 1978).

Contents: Introduction / Preface / Part I. Publications / Part II. Manuscripts / Appendix

Appendix consists of a "Facsimile of Report of Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, 20th Maine Volunteers to Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac Concerning the Actions of the 20th Maine at Gettysburg, July 6, 1863."

Letter From Arthur Weaner To Alfred L. Shoemaker, April 23, 1958, Arthur Weaner

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed letter from Arthur Weaner addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated April 23, 1958. Within, Weaner writes to inquire about terminology he uncovered in an 1890 sales bill referring to bees.

Letter From Arthur Weaner To Alfred L. Shoemaker, January 9, 1955, Arthur Weaner

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

In this typed letter to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dated January 9, 1955, Arthur Weaner responds to Shoemaker's inquiry about a particular brick end barn design. Weaner believes that such a design exists in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Letter: Lafayette Mclaws To Isaac R. Pennypacker, March 13, 1888, Lafayette Mclaws

Lafayette McLaws Papers

No abstract provided.

Letter: Lafayette Mclaws To Isaac R. Pennypacker, February 13, 1888, Lafayette Mclaws

Lafayette McLaws Papers

No abstract provided.

Letter, 1863 July 16, Oscar D. Ladley To Mother And Sisters [Catherine, Mary, And Alice Ladley], Oscar D. Ladley

Oscar D. Ladley Papers (MS-138)

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from camp near Berlin, Maryland. Oscar writes about his division being the first to enter Hagerstown, their division movements after Gettysburg, casualties, and more.

Letter, 1863 July 13, C. Ladley To My Dear Son [Oscar D. Ladley], Catherine Ladley

Oscar D. Ladley Papers (MS-138)

Letter to Oscar Ladley from his mother in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Catherine writes about news from the battle at Gettysburg, her hopes that Oscar is safe, and other news.

Letter, 1863 July 9, Oscar D. Ladley To Mother And Sisters [Catherine, Mary, And Alice Ladley], Oscar D. Ladley

Oscar D. Ladley Papers (MS-138)

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Boonsboro, Maryland. Oscar writes about fighting for four days at Gettysburg, the Ohio Brigade's success, and the casualties suffered by his brigade.

Letter, [1863] July 5, Oscar D. Ladley To Mother And Sisters [Catherine, Mary And Alice Ladley], Oscar D. Ladley

Oscar D. Ladley Papers (MS-138)

Letter to Oscar Ladley's mother and sisters from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Oscar writes about the fighting he experienced, nearly being killed by a Rebel officer, and the losses at the Gettysburg battlefield.