Tag: Gettysburg Black History
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Exploring the Legacy of Emanuel Craig and Gettysburg’s Black Community
Emanuel Craig was an African American laborer, Civil War veteran, and family man in 19th-century Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His life spanned the tumultuous Civil War era and Reconstruction, and his story illuminates the experiences of Gettysburg’s Black community during that period. Born around 1829 to Benjamin Craig and Mary (Wagner) Craig, Emanuel grew up in Adams…
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Christmas in Gettysburg in 1863: Anxiety and Hope
Christmas in Gettysburg in 1863 was a study in extreme contrasts. The small town was still emerging from the shadow of the cataclysmic battle fought there five months earlier. The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863) had left the community physically and emotionally scarred. By Christmastime, most of the immediate horrors had been addressed –…
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Preserving Black History at The Jack Hopkins House
The Adams County Historical Society and the managers of Lincoln Cemetery announced in October 2025 that they would restore the Jack Hopkins House and turn it into a black history museum. Why did prominent historians in town choose the Jack Hopkins house? As various articles explain, the house itself is possibly the last edifice in…
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The Mystery of Moses Farmer, Body Servant of William McLeod
If there is a hero in the story of Lt. Colonel William McLeod, it may well be his body servant, Moses, who made not one but two trips to Gettysburg: first with William in his travels with the army and then after the war with John Prescott and at the behest of Neil McLeod. Who…
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The Role of Christ’s Church Before, During, and After the Battle of Gettysburg
When considering its history with the Battle of Gettysburg, Christ’s Church (now known as Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church) is best remembered for the killing of clergyman Horatio Stockton Howell (more on that below) and the sheltering of Ole Liz Butler, a black washerwoman who escaped Confederate cavalry and hid until the battle concluded. The Church…
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Confederate Burials Near Basil Biggs’ Home
Burial records of Confederate dead frequently refer to someone interred near the home of Basil Biggs. Basil is probably the best known black resident of the era; he is celebrated for his role in the Underground Railroad as well as work in helping to create the National Cemetery and the Lincoln Cemetery. Basil would later…
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Growing Up Palm: The Turbulent Upbringing and Life of Alfred S. Palm
You may recall from the story of Mag Palm that, at her lowest point, she attempted to drown her son and commit suicide. That son was Alfred S. Palm, named after his father, and the local papers reported the incident. You may also recall that Mag suffered through a kidnapping attempt that bore some resemblance…
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The Men behind the Infamous Mag Palm Kidnapping
The Mag Palm kidnapping attempt is perhaps the most told event of her life. It has some striking similarities to the kidnapping of Catherine Payne in the motivations that triggered it. In the story, Mag is blindsided by three white men who attempt to load her into a wagon to be sold South into slavery…
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The Battle of the Crater: William Bedford’s Valor
William Bedford was born in Maryland, the son of Sylvester and Agnes (Williams) Bedford. Though records indicate he was likely living in Frederick County in 1860, his exact location in that year’s census is uncertain. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with black hair, black eyes, and a black complexion, Bedford would later find himself…
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The Mystery of Eliza Armstrong’s Age and Legacy
On January 9, 1907, the Gettysburg Compiler noted the passing of Eliza Armstrong, a black woman then residing at the Adams County Almshouse. As with similar articles of the era, it fixated on curiosities barely connected to the life of the person. In this case, the issue was one of age, and here the newspaper…