Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey is the host for our series on the Eleventh Corps at Gettysburg. He is standing on the corner of Middle Street and Baltimore Street. The Fahnestock House/Fahnestock Building (Fahnestock Brothers Store in 1863) is in the background. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey is our host for a series on the Eleventh Army Corps during the Battle of Gettysburg. Stuart had two relatives in the Eleventh Corps (73rd Ohio Infantry Regiment) and both were killed/mortally wounded at Gettysburg. They are both buried in the National Cemetery. Stuart has been a Licensed Battlefield Guide since 2004.
In in our first post, Stuart introduced himself and showed us some of the routes that the 11th Corps took as they approached the Gettysburg Battlefield.
In our second post he brought Major-General Howard to the Peach Orchard, and showed the route that two of Howard’s divisions took to get to Gettysburg.
In our third post he described the reasons Howard found Cemetery Hill and thought it was an important position. Howard also wanted to get a closer look at the fighting to the west and north of town. He moved into the town for that look.
In today’s post, Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey shows us the view from the top of the Fahnestock Building on an overcast day.
This map shows the location of where our Eleventh Corps at Gettysburg videos were produced. Videos #1-#7 were shown on other maps on our previous posts. Videos #8 and #9 were taken on East Cemetery Hill. Video #10 was taken near the intersection of Baltimore Street and Middle Street. Videos #11-#13 were taken on the roof of the Fahnestock Building. This map was created facing north at approximately 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.
The Fahnestock Brothers Store was a Dry Goods store that according to newspaper advertisements carried “notions, carpets, oil cloths, hardware, woodenware, iron nails.” It also carried material for dresses. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The Fahnestock Brothers were James F. Fahnestock (1826-), Henry G. Fahnestock (1828-), Edward G. Fahnestock (1830-). This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The 1860 federal census shows that James F. Fahnestock had real estate valued at $4500 and personal estate valued at $10,000. Henry G. Fahnestock had real estate valued at $4000 and personal estate valued at $10,000. Edward G. Fahnestock had real estate valued at $3500 and personal estate valued at $10,000. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Their father, Samuel Fahnestock (March 10, 1796-January, 15, 1861) was born in East Berlin, Hamilton Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Fahnestock died of “Atrophy of the Liver” on January 15, 1861 at the age of 64 years, 10 months, and five days. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania on January 17, 1861 at 3:00 PM, in Section G, but in an unknown lot number. The amount paid to Evergreen Cemetery for his burial permit was $2.50.This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 7:45 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The 1860 census showed that Samuel Fahnestock (1796-1861) was a merchant. His real estate was valued at $10,000, and his personal estate had a value of $20,000. This view was taken facing east at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
His total economic wealth of $30,000 listed on the 1860 federal census made him the fourth wealthiest person in the Borough of Gettysburg. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
We are back at the front (Baltimore Street entrance) to the Fahnestock House. At the bottom right of this view is some information on the Fahnestock Building. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
It is a wayside exhibit placed by Main Street Gettysburg. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
A closer view of the wayside exhibit. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
We had the privilege of going to the roof of the Fahnestock House as Major-General Oliver O. Howard did on July 1, 1863. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Our journey to the roof of the Fahnestock House was easier than General Howard had in 1863. We took the elevator to the fourth floor. The Fahnestock Building had three floors in 1863. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
To get to the roof from the fourth floor we have to climb a ladder. If the situation was similar in 1863, we wonder how difficult it was for the one-armed General Howard to get to the roof of the Fahnestock House. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
We emerged to the roof and an overcast sky. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Looking back down the entrance to the roof. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Looking back along the roof and to the trap door entrance. Seminary Ridge is obscured by the fog in the background. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey is standing on the roof of the Fahnestock House. The dark trees in the left background are along Seminary Ridge. The woodline behind Stuart is Sheads Woods on Oak Ridge. The Christ Lutheran Church is behind Stuart in the right background. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
In Video #11(Videos #1- #10 were shown in our previous Eleventh Corps posts) Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey is standing on top of the Fahnestock House located at the corner of West Middle Street and Baltimore Street. Stuart shows us some of the action that Major-General Oliver O. Howard claimed to have seen from this location. Howard also received word here that Major-General John Reynolds had been killed. The view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
It is not clear from what direction the courier came to the Fahnestock Building as he brought news to General Howard of the wounding of Major-General John F. Reynolds. He might have arrived on the Baltimore Street side of the building (Baltimore Street is on the right)… This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
…and Howard would have leaned off the east side of the building to hear the news. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Or, did the messenger come from the Seminary Ridge area, east (towards the camera) along West Middle Street. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The rider would have then ridden up to the south side of the Fahnestock Building… This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
…and Howard would have leaned over the building on this side to hear that he was now in command of the left wing of the Army of the Potomac. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey will explain which of the two possibilities that he thinks was more likely. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
In Video #12 Licensed Battlefield Guide Stuart Dempsey is standing on top of the Fahnestock House located at the corner of West Middle Street and Baltimore Street. Stuart shows how Howard might have received the word from Captain Hall that Reynolds had been killed and Howard now commanded the field. The view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Some views from the top of the Fahnestock Building. This is the intersection of Baltimore Street and Middle Street (upon which the brown van sits). This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
A little farther to the right, we are looking down Baltimore Street. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Across Middle Street is the Adams County Courthouse. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Looking down Middle Street towards the treeline on Seminary Ridge. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Pointing the camera a little farther to the right, the Seminary Buildings on Seminary Ridge are mostly obscured by the fog. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Pointing the camera a little farther to the right, the Christ Lutheran Church with its white and green cupola is prominent in the center of this view. General Howard would later write that from this position, he could see Robinson’s Second Division of the First Corps going into position on Oak Ridge while he was standing here. Sheads Woods, on Oak Ridge, where Robinson’s Division arrived, are in the background directly above the Christ Lutheran Church building. Glatfelter Hall, the red brick building on the Gettysburg College campus, is in the right background. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Pointing the camera a little farther to the right, the red brick building of Glatfelter Hall is in the left background. This view was taken facing mostly north, but somewhat northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Pointing the camera a little farther to the right, the light colored Gettysburg Hotel is in the right background. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Pointing the camera a little farther to the right, the light colored Gettysburg Hotel is in the center background. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
A slightly better view looking into Gettysburg’s square/diamond/circle. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The next three pictures are not very good, but we weren’t going to hang over the side of the building to get better pictures. We are pointing the camera farther to the right, and the red brick building of St. James Lutheran Church on York Street is now appearing in the right background. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
We are pointing the camera farther to the right, and the red brick building of St. James Lutheran Church on York Street is now appearing in the center background. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
The buildings in the foreground are on Baltimore Street. This view was taken facing east at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
Stuart Dempsey is still standing on the roof of the Fahnestock Building. Christ Lutheran Church is immediately to his left. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
In Video #13 Stuart Dempsey is standing on top of the Fahnestock House located at the corner of West Middle Street and Baltimore Street. Stuart explains how Howard might have felt after the command on the field fell to him. The view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:30 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
To see other posts by Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guides, click here.