The Battle of Gettysburg: Through the Eyes of Michael Schroyer

By Karen Hendricks

The inside of Shroyer's diary (Photo courtesy of Sue Boardman)

Sue Boardman became a licensed battlefield guide thanks to a passion for Civil War history ignited by discovering and reading a diary written by Michael Schroyer, who served in Co. G, 147^th PA Volunteers, based in her hometown area of Snyder County.

Here are Schroyer’s diary entries at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, as he wrote them, but with locations capitalized:

Maryland June 30 Tuesday we marched through Taneytown. Crossed over into Pennsylvania and went through Littlestown and drove before us the enemys pickets with a skirmish at Littlestown capturing a few of the enemy. travelled 15 miles

July 1 1863 Wednesday we went back to Littlestown and took the Gettysburg pike and travelled within 11 miles to Gettysburg and stayed there all night very hard fighting.  Travelled about 12 miles

July 2 Thursday we went about 11 mile to the right of the line of battle and layed there until 12 o’clock at night when we again returned to our line of battle

July 3 the rebs then occupied our breastworks we commenced fighting about 5

o’clock in the morning and continued until two. About noon the rebs left the breastworks and we then went into them again. we left them on the night before the fight. The rebs then went into them but could not hold them. The wounded in our company are Calvin C. Parks in finger. Corporal bower Harris in hip. Thus ended the 3 of July. The rebs retreated with heavy loss

July 4 Saturday 1863 it was all along the line.  Quiet on the night of the 3 of July the rebs on a retreat. Our army burying the dead.

July 5 Sunday I was detailed to help bury rebel dead. we buried 42 rebs in one grave or trench and 31 rebs in another. we then went to marching.

Inspiring Hope for Haiti

Founded by Haiti native Jacques Merine, Source of Life Ministries is helping street children thrive in Port au Prince 

By Catriona Todd 
Photography by Mike Chepurin

The desperation and hopelessness of daily life in Haiti is not something that can be fully grasped by a 30-second clip on the nightly news. Even before the earthquake five years ago, citizens of the impoverished nation struggled to survive. Americans are a very empathetic people, but as Vern Annis, founder of Thirsty Souls Ministries in Hanover, Pa., says, “Our poorest of the poor live better than your average Haitian.”

Jacques Merine, founder of Source of Life Ministries and director of a safe house for street children in Haiti, couldn’t agree more. He grew up in Haiti and wishes that all Americans would have the opportunity to see the Haitian life, to fully grasp why his mission is so important. “What [Haitians] have to do day to day to feed their families—it is just unreal,” he says.

Although Merine was blessed with a loving family and parents who saw the value of educating their four children, they were poor and hungry. His mother would rise early on school days and go to the market to try to earn 20 cents to give each child five pennies to buy lunch. Merine and his siblings would then walk four hours round-trip to and from the nearest school their parents could afford. They were never sure if they would have the opportunity to eat an evening meal when they got home.

For Haitians who have left the country, it is unusual to return except to visit family; however, most emigrants do send financial aid back to those left behind. Merine’s younger brother Jean never visited the U.S., but he was able to excel in his education thanks to funds sent to him by his older siblings. He acquired degrees in theology and journalism and always sought to further his education. At the time of his death, he was acing a course in English.

Four years after arriving in the U.S., Jacques traveled back to Haiti in 1989 to marry his fiancée, Marie. He continued traveling to Haiti once each year, and in 1992, he was able to take one week’s vacation to visit his wife as she neared the end of her first pregnancy. The very night he was to return to the U.S., Carson was born. Fathers do not attend the birth in Haitian hospitals, but Jacques was able to see his son through the nursery window before he left the country.

As he spent the next several years seeking approval to bring his wife and child to the U.S., Jacques continued visiting them one week each year. Naturally, he missed many of his son’s developmental milestones, but just before he turned 4, they were reunited in Gettysburg. Their family was completed by the birth of their daughter, Tasha, who attends Gettysburg Middle School. Carson is a graduate of Gettysburg High School and will graduate from Bloomsburg University in May with hopes of becoming a lawyer.

Although he always dreamed of the day he could leave Haiti behind for good, Jacques heeded the call to aid street children in Port au Prince. “Once you have an orphanage [in Haiti], you’re in the business of adoption, a cost of $30,000 for a child,” Jacques says. “This is not what Source of Life Ministries is about, so that’s why I call it a safe home.”

Building a Better Future for Haiti’s Children 
The process for acquiring new children is very time consuming. “It is very, very tricky,” Jacques says. Although the Haitian government doesn’t have any programs in place to care for orphaned or abandoned children, it does care very much that a ministry has proof of how it acquired each specific child. Acquisition of children by the safe home has been slowed not only by the death of Jean, but also by challenges that continue to extend from the earthquake five years ago.

Most construction in Haiti is performed by hand, and workers are in high demand as the country continues to recover. As such, building the new home has been an arduous and extremely expensive process. Two buildings that house the dormitories, kitchen, and dining facilities were raised first, with plans for expansion later.

The current and most urgent task at hand is completing a safety wall around the property. Although the new location is far less dangerous than the city, it is important to secure the property against squatters, thieves, or other malicious persons. While construction materials for buildings have changed to avoid such devastation from future natural disasters, the safety wall is being constructed of handmade concrete blocks. It is 8 feet tall and surrounds a three-acre parcel of land, making it the most expensive and slowest undertaking to date.

As soon as the wall is finished and funds can be raised, Jacques hopes to construct a guesthouse to accommodate volunteers from the U.S. as well as another dormitory. There are currently 13 children in the home, ranging in ages from 7 to 18 and housed by gender. As the ministry works to bring in more children, it will be imperative to provide some separation by age as well.

Children who attend school in Haiti usually do so into their early 20s. It is Jacques’ desire to support each child through job training or university to allow them to prosper. He sees it as a waste of time, money, and education to release a child simply because he or she has reached a certain age or has finished grade school. “If you send that child back exactly where he came from 20 years ago,” he says, “it’s going to be even worse for that child than for those who are still [in the street] because he’s not really equipped.”

“A Strong Foundation of Support”
Pastor Jeff Riedel of Moncks Corner, S.C., has operated the Haitian Christian Projects ministry with his wife Rita for more than 10 years. In addition to providing the Merine brothers with advice and a wealth of knowledge when they began looking for land in the area, Riedel has helped the children establish their own flock of chickens and a fledgling herd of goats at the safe house.

Hunger is the most essential hurdle to overcome in the struggle to improve Haiti as poverty and malnutrition go hand in hand. “The majority of Haitian culture doesn’t think about tomorrow when they are hungry today,” Riedel says.

It is Jacques’ fervent hope that the safe house can one day become self-sufficient to allow more funds to go toward increasing the ministry and educating the children instead of the food budget. Unlike the U.S., agriculture in Haiti is not a large industry focused on feeding the populace. There are a few cash crops including coffee, sugar cane and rice, but they are mostly grown for export.

While Americans can turn to their local Cooperative Extension office for advice and instruction in growing, raising, and safely preserving food, the Haitian government does not have anything in place to educate its citizens. Landowners might try to grow sweet potatoes or corn, but they are essentially on their own to learn the pitfalls of gardening. Eventually, Jacques hopes to take local Pennsylvania farmers with him to help establish a successful system for growing food.

In the meantime, he must focus on building a strong foundation of support from churches and groups in the U.S. “My biggest challenge is fundraising,” he says. “I need help. I need people who would have a heart for these children, for Haiti, who would love to see something accomplished for them.”

Riedel knows what it takes to operate a successful ministry in a country where the needs are so great. For Source of Life Ministries to be successful in the full scope of its mission, it will require partnership with individuals, groups, and churches in the U.S. Without the support of individuals, ministries fail, he says.

For more information about the ministry, current and future projects, and to become involved, visit www.sourceoflifeministries.com.

How You Can Help Haiti’s Children

By Catriona Todd

For Source of Life Ministries’ safe house in Port au Prince to be successful, it will require partnerships with individuals, groups, and churches in the U.S. If you’re interested in helping to provide a safe and loving environment for Haiti’s children, then consider getting involved. Here’s how you can help.  

Partners in Prayer

Safety is always a concern in Haiti. Pray for the children and for those travelling to volunteer at the home, as well as the completion of the safety wall around the property.

The needs are great in Haiti. Pray for the growth of the ministry that more children can be brought into the home.

Have a heart for Haiti. Pray or consider becoming involved by sponsoring a child, donating money to fund building projects, or visiting Haiti to volunteer your time at the home.

Spread Awareness

Invite Jacques Merine to speak to your church or group. Bring Haiti out of the headlines, and hear how members of your own community are directly involved in improving this impoverished nation.

Financial Support

All funds given to Source of Life Ministries go directly to funding the operation of the safe house and its building projects, unless directed to a specific need (listed on website).

Consider sponsoring a child. Sponsors help fund the daily care of their child and in return receive regular updates and may communicate directly through letters.

Visit Haiti

The only way to truly understand the Haitian life is to see it firsthand. Volunteers are invaluable in helping to complete projects and interact with the children.

Visit www.sourceoflifeministries.com for more information about the ministry, including current projects and future endeavors.

PA Common Core: Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Adopting common standards means bringing all states’ standards down to the lowest common denominator. This means that states with high standards are actually taking a step backward by adopting the Common Core.
Fact: The standards are designed to build upon the most advanced current thinking about preparing all students for success in college, career, and life. This will result in moving even the best state standards to the next level. In fact, since this work began, there has been an explicit agreement that no state would lower its standards. The standards were informed by the best in the country, the highest international standards, and evidence and expertise about educational outcomes. We need college- and career-ready standards because even in high-performing states, students are graduating and passing all the required tests but still need remediation in their postsecondary work.

Myth: These standards amount to a national curriculum for our schools.
Fact: The Common Core is not a curriculum. It is a clear set of shared goals and expectations for what knowledge and skills will help our students succeed. Local teachers, principals, superintendents, and others will decide how the standards are to be met. Teachers will continue to devise lesson plans and tailor instruction to the individual needs of the students in their classrooms.

Myth: The standards will be implemented through No Child Left Behind (NCLB), signifying that the federal government will be leading them.
Fact: The Common Core is a state-led effort that is not part of No Child Left Behind or any other federal initiative. The federal government played no role in the development of the Common Core. State adoption of the standards is in no way mandatory. States began the work to create clear, consistent standards before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided funding for the Race to the Top grant program. It also began before the Elementary and Secondary Education Act blueprint was released, because this work is being driven by the needs of the states, not the federal government.

Source: Common Core State Standards Initiative

Civil War Trust Seeks to Save Lee’s HQ

By Brendan Raleigh 

You’d think that the Headquarters of Gen. Robert E. Lee would be one of the top tourist attractions in Gettysburg. After all, the decisions made in that building significantly altered both the outcome of the Civil War and the future of the United States. But unfortunately, the charm of the historic building has been marred substantially by the commercial development surrounding it, preventing it from reaching its full potential as an historic landmark.

And that’s why the Civil War Trust, a Washington-based non-profit group, embarked on its quest to purchase the Headquarters, restore it to its 19^th century glory, and preserve it for future generations.

“The Lee’s Headquarters site is the most hallowed of grounds,” says Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer. “And the opportunity to preserve it is the best way to appropriately honor the legacy of those who gave the last full measure of devotion on that fateful July day.”

“The Headquarters are one of the most historically-significant, unprotected battlefield sites in Gettysburg, and possibly the nation,” agrees Jim Campi, the Trust’s policy and communications director. “It was the nerve center of the Confederate army for much of the Battle of Gettysburg.”

The neighboring Quality Inn and Appalachian Brewing Company are often perceived as disruptive toward the site’s potential for an authentic Civil War atmosphere. Since the two businesses declined to renew their leases this past year, the Trust was given its opening to purchase the Headquarters and four acres of battlefield around it.

Financially, it’s a pretty hefty undertaking: $5.5 million to purchase the building and another half-million to demolish the modern structures and restore the historic structure. However, with more than $4.4 already raised and committed thanks to the government grants, private sector dollars, and a sizable gift from FedEx Corporation, the people of the Civil War Trust are confident they will succeed in their endeavor.

“Within the first three weeks of the campaign, we had already raised 25 percent of our goal,” says Campi. “If the fundraiser is successful, we'll be able close on the property probably next year. And then we’ll be able to move forward with our goal of making it look as much as possible like it did on July 1, 1863.”

If the Trust purchases the site, they will first have to assess the historic site and the historic buildings before beginning the process of tearing down the non-historic structures and restoring the landscape. The current museum would remain, at least until the site is turned over to the National Park Service, as the Trust plans to do.

“To watch the property be transformed from commercial real estate to a restored historic site, a place of reverence and remembrance, will be a true privilege,” says Lighthizer. “We will all soon be able to stand on this ground and be transported back to those three days in July that shaped our nation so significantly.”

Civil War Trust has performed similar ventures in both Gettysburg and Antietam, but this undertaking is by far their most ambitious, and potentially their most significant. To donate to the Civil War Trust’s quest to save General Lee’s Headquarters or learn more about the cause, visit the fundraiser’s page.

Contributor Spotlight: Karen Hendricks

How do you celebrate Gettysburg?

I enjoy being an ambassador for this town, this national treasure. It’s an honor to live here and to celebrate the history, the tragedy, the story that unfolded in Gettysburg in 1863. Every time I have the chance, I invite friends or family to come here and spend time exploring Gettysburg’s past and present.

What's the best part about living in (or working in) Adams County?

It’s a fascinating mix of contrasts: past history blended with present contemporary life; peaceful, pastoral beauty in gently rolling landscapes, contrasted with charming downtown centers such as Gettysburg and New Oxford. Plus a fascinating mix of residents with diverse backgrounds and talents!

What aspect of Gettysburg/Adams County’s history do you most admire?

The words written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln during his November 1863 Gettysburg Address are beautiful and stunning in their simplicity.

What or who inspired you to become a writer/photographer? Why?

It all started with my high school journalism teacher, Miss Maureen Shields, and my high school radio club advisor, Mr. Gary Spohn, at Spring-Ford High School in suburban Philadelphia. I feel very blessed and thankful to have worked alongside wonderful mentors through the years who helped me develop the writing skills needed for my career in the media. In terms of journalism ethics, Mr. Dick Hoxworth at WGAL-TV (Channel 8) was the consummate professional. He impressed upon me the importance of seeing all angles to a story, ensuring that every story is fair and balanced—skills that I still use every day.

What's your favorite story you've written about or photographed for Celebrate Gettysburg and why? 

All of them! It’s an adventure every time! I invest myself into each one of my articles, taking great care to honor the words and stories entrusted to me. I know this might sound crazy to some people, but I feel as though the writing process is much like giving birth. Every story is like a new “baby” to me.

What one aspect of your craft do you enjoy the most?

Definitely the people! It’s a joy to meet people who entrust their stories to me—and it’s an honor to be able to retell and share those stories with the public. I especially enjoy trying to figure out what makes people “tick,” how they’ve overcome adversity in their lives, or what they’re doing to help others. I am constantly reminded that there are good, kind people in the world who are doing such positive, selfless, and caring deeds.

What's the biggest misconception people have about writers/photographers?

The biggest misconception is also a pet peeve of mine: people sometimes assume that we’re going to get it wrong. They think writers just write what they want, make up quotes, or aren’t really listening during interviews. People love to tell me about other writers who “got the facts wrong” or “completely misquoted me.” While writers are human and mistakes do happen, I take pride in my work and strive to be completely accurate, as nearly all writers do. Recently, after one of my stories was published by Celebrate Gettysburg, one of my sources called to thank me, saying, “Every time I’m interviewed for a story, there are mistakes and problems with the story. I’ve read and re-read your story and can’t find a single thing wrong with it. This is the first time this has happened so I just had to call and thank you!” That message is still on my phone!

Do you have any lifelong goals as a writer/photographer (i.e., winning a certain award, covering a specific event, etc.)?
I would love to travel the world, write for national or international publications, and continue to interview fascinating people. Writing is in my blood, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!

What aspects of the Gettysburg/Adams County area do you think make it so special and worth capturing?

Adams County is multidimensional. Although the hallowed Gettysburg Battlefield is our major attraction, Adams County has much more to offer—quaint, small hometown settings; a beautiful agricultural and orchard landscape; plus unique shops and restaurants. It’s an interesting blend of contrasts—Adams County’s tranquility vs. her Civil War past—and all in the shadow of major urban areas such as Harrisburg, Frederick, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

What is your favorite hidden treasure in Adams County? Why? (This can be a restaurant, shop, location, etc.)

It’s hard to pick just one, so here’s my top five:

1. Foxxy Moxxy – Bobbi Becker’s artist studio and gallery is nestled in the woods between Gettysburg and New Oxford, and if you haven’t discovered or visited yet—you must!

2. Visiting nearly any of the farmer’s markets or roadside markets, although Hollabaugh’s is my favorite. Going to pick blueberries at Hollabaugh’s or cherries at Boyer’s are wonderful family experiences.

3. Attending events or classes at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg. The arts enrich our lives in countless ways!

4. There are signature dishes that stand out at a number of restaurants: the Aubergine Pesto sandwich at Café St. Amand, sweet potato fries at the Avenue Restaurant, sushi from Ping’s, pizza from Deliso’s, lasagna at Olivia’s…and the list could go on and on!

5. Visiting the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on the Battlefield.

How has your perception of Gettysburg/Adams County changed since you began working with Celebrate Gettysburg?

I have a deeper appreciation for people from all walks of life. It’s so fun to put yourself in others’ shoes—to “walk a mile in their shoes” and live through their stories and experiences.

Where can we find you online?

Twitter: @karenhendricks9

Instagram: KarenHendricks9

Facebook: Hendricks Communications

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/karen-hendricks/10/368/b86

Blog/Website: HendricksCommunications.com and OfftheMerry-Go-Round.com

Gettysburg’s Civilians: Caught in the Crossfire

By Karen Hendricks + Photo by Noel Kline

A replica of the Shriver family kitchen, featured at the Shriver House Museum

Ephraim Wisler, a blacksmith who lived along Chambersburg Turnpike, was paralyzed by shock or concussion when a shell exploded dangerously close to him during the early morning hours of July 1. According to the only account of this incident, “The shock to his nervous system was so great that he became totally prostrated. He took to his bed soon afterwards and never rose from it.” Records indicate that Wisler died on August 15, 1863, some five weeks later, and was buried in Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.

John L. Burns joined Union soldiers in the line of battle and was wounded several times in the fighting west of the town on the afternoon of July 1, 1863. He survived his wounds and the war.

Charles F. Weakley, a young man of Emmitsburg, Md., following the Union Army to Gettysburg and shortly before the fighting, joined the ranks of Company A, 12 Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded on the afternoon of July 1, but survived the battle. He later enlisted in the Company G, 13^th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Weakley died in camp near Petersburg, Va., on November 23, 1864.

Charles W. Griest of York Springs volunteered to carry a dispatch from Gov. Andrew Curtin to the Union army at Gettysburg on June 30, 1863. He delivered the message to Gen. John Buford and remained with his division. On July 1, while he was carrying a message to the 17^th Pennsylvania Cavalry, his horse was shot and fell upon him, his leg severely injured. Griest and his horse both survived the ordeal.

Lizzie Waltz was wounded in the fighting at Hanover, Pa., on June 30, 1863. In 1899 an act was passed by congress directing that her name be placed on the pension rolls. According to the account, she “was wounded on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg during a skirmish near Hanover, Pa., while giving food and administering to the wants of the Union soldiers.”  

Amos Whetstone, a Lutheran Theological Seminary Student at Gettysburg, was boarding with the Weikert family on Chambersburg Street at the time of the battle. Whetstone was wounded in the skirmishing on July 4, 1863. According to Mary McAllister, who lived nearby, “I went over to old Mrs. Weikert’s and on her back porch there was a man. He said, ‘Take care, you will be shot! Oh, I believe I am shot.’ He looked down and a bullet had just gone through the fleshy part of his leg.”  

Georgianna Stauffer lived on Baltimore Street with her two children at the time of the battle. An eyewitness saw Mrs. Stauffer “sink to the ground after being shot in the hip, during the second day of the battle, as she was about to carry water to the men of his company.” The incident is said to have occurred near the home of Henry Garlach, in the area of heavy skirmishing on July 2, 1863. Her husband Jacob was a member of Company K, 1^st Pennsylvania Reserves and was present for duty at Gettysburg. That he must have visited his wife and family immediately following the battle is illustrated by the fact that Georgianna gave birth to a child on April 5, 1864. Jacob was captured during the Mine Run Campaign in November 1863 and subsequently died in Andersonville Prison on February 1, 1865.

Research provided by the Adams County Historical Society for the Gettysburg Heritage Museum

Gettysburg's Green Businesses, Internships and More Featured in September/October Issue

It’s September again, and we can hardly believe it. The children are back in school. Summer vacations are coming to an end, and there’s much to do to get ready for the autumn months. In the September/October issue of Celebrate Gettysburg, we’re sharing practical ideas and useful information for transitioning from summer into fall.

But first, the Gettysburg-Hanover area will join with communities across the nation in pausing to reflect on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Locally, Gettysburg College will offer a religious service beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, on the lawn north of Pennsylvania Hall. During the service, bells will toll to honor the more than 3,000 individuals who lost lives during the attacks. At 6 p.m., the College will hold a secular remembrance event on the lawn north of Pennsylvania Hall with special guests Gettysburg Mayor William Troxell, Sen. Richard Alloway and Rep. Dan Moul. Following the remembrance event, a candlelight vigil will take place at Quarry Lake, west of the College’s athletic facility.

The Exchange Club of Hanover will host the September 11 Memorial Healing Field at West Manheim Township Elementary School, 2000 Baltimore Pike, Hanover, from September 9-12. More than 3,000 American flags will be flown on the school property in memory of the victims of the 2011 terrorist attacks.

In this issue…

Emergency services personnel in New York, Washington D.C. and Shanksville sacrificed much on September 11. In Gettysburg, members of ACVESA (Adams County Emergency Services Association) do the same for our communities. Writer Adam Kulikowski and photographer Noel Kline share the story of this volunteer service organization in “United to Serve.”

Gettysburg businesses are integrating the latest in environmental “green” practices into their establishments. Writer Kim Weaver and photographer Anastasia Tantaros explore how Gettysburg is investing in the environment in “Growing Green Business.”

Are you a college student looking to land that coveted internship? Writer Chris Little and photographer Casey Martin reveal what college career services experts and seasoned college interns have to say about finding and making the most of an internship in “Testing the Waters.”

Other highlights of the September/October issue include:

· Fall planting advice from Gardening Guidance columnist Steve Zimmerman
· First Person with the Adams County Arts Council’s executive director Chris Glatfelter
· Back-to-school lunch ideas for the kids in Edible Enlightenment
· Adams and York County poets in Artisan
· On the Menu features Scozzaro’s Steel City Pub

A Note from the Editor

I am pleased to be able to write to you as the new editor of Celebrate Gettysburg magazine. As a contributing writer for Celebrate Gettysburg since 2008, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to share stories of the people, places and events that make Adams County and Gettysburg a unique place to call home and to visit. And, I am thrilled for this opportunity to take on a larger role as editor on the remarkable Celebrate Gettysburg team.

All of us at Celebrate Gettysburg appreciate you, our readers, for your support of Celebrate Gettysburg over the past five years. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your homes and communities.

—Michael Vyskocil, editor

editor@celebrategettysburg.com