Civil War History
The barn and land surrounding the farm buildings was used as a field hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863 by Gordon's Brigade. Andrew Weikert was 63 years old at the time of the battle. Like many others in the area, Andrew and his family left the farm when fighting began on July 1. He returned on July 7 to find about 300 wounded confederate solders on the farm, who according to Andrew stayed "for about six weeks".
After the events of the summer of 1863 property owners were offered compensation by the government for damage done by the Confederate Army during its occupation in Pennsylvania. Andrew filed a claim on November 10, 1868 listing all property either taken, damaged, or consumed by the army. Below is what is found in his Abstract of Application for Damages under Act, April 9, 1868.
After the events of the summer of 1863 property owners were offered compensation by the government for damage done by the Confederate Army during its occupation in Pennsylvania. Andrew filed a claim on November 10, 1868 listing all property either taken, damaged, or consumed by the army. Below is what is found in his Abstract of Application for Damages under Act, April 9, 1868.
ABSTRACT OF APPLICATION
FOR
Damages under Act, April 9, '68.
FOR
Damages under Act, April 9, '68.
The petition of Andrew Weikert of the Township of Highland in the County of Adams and State of Pennsylvania, respectfully represents, that whereas, the General Assembly of the State aforsaid, did at a session held in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, pass "an Act entitled An Act for the relief of the citizens of the Counties of Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Perry, York and Cumberland, whose property was destroyed, damaged, or appropriated for the public service, and in the common defense, in the war to suppress the Rebellion," which said Act was approved the 9th day of April, A. D., 1868.--
Now therefor, your petition would respectfully represent that he was a resident of the district enumerated in said act in the County of Adams in the years Eighteen hundred and Sixty-two, and Eighteen hundred and Sixty-four, inclusive, and was damaged by the causes referred to in said Act to the amount claimed in the following abstract, the proof of which appears in statements and affidavits filed here with and marked as follows:
Damage to Personal Property
1 Barrel flour $7.00
Corn, oats, and hay $138.50
15 cords wood $30.00
5 head horned cattle $100.00
25 chickens $6.00
2 wagons $140.00
horse gear, saddles, bridles, xxxxxxxx* $62.50
chains, shovels, scythe and sleigh bells $10.00
xxxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
Total Personal Estate $710.50
Damage to Real Estate
Fencing $428.01
Damage to garden and xxxxx* $12.00
Damage to mowing ground $120.00
Damage to wheat, oats, and corn $148.00
Damage to Potato patch $12.00
Damage to Barn $203.66
Damage to Land $300.00
Damage to House $63.00
Total Real Estate $1287.17
Recapitulation
Amount Personal Estate $710.50
Amount Real Estate $1287.17
Total Amount $1997.67 *indicates illegible text from the original document
Now therefor, your petition would respectfully represent that he was a resident of the district enumerated in said act in the County of Adams in the years Eighteen hundred and Sixty-two, and Eighteen hundred and Sixty-four, inclusive, and was damaged by the causes referred to in said Act to the amount claimed in the following abstract, the proof of which appears in statements and affidavits filed here with and marked as follows:
Damage to Personal Property
1 Barrel flour $7.00
Corn, oats, and hay $138.50
15 cords wood $30.00
5 head horned cattle $100.00
25 chickens $6.00
2 wagons $140.00
horse gear, saddles, bridles, xxxxxxxx* $62.50
chains, shovels, scythe and sleigh bells $10.00
xxxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
xxxx*
Total Personal Estate $710.50
Damage to Real Estate
Fencing $428.01
Damage to garden and xxxxx* $12.00
Damage to mowing ground $120.00
Damage to wheat, oats, and corn $148.00
Damage to Potato patch $12.00
Damage to Barn $203.66
Damage to Land $300.00
Damage to House $63.00
Total Real Estate $1287.17
Recapitulation
Amount Personal Estate $710.50
Amount Real Estate $1287.17
Total Amount $1997.67 *indicates illegible text from the original document
Andrew was particularly concerned with the damage to the land itself. In a sworn affidavit as part of his damage application, Andrew stated that the fields had become highly compacted where wagons and solders had traveled. To make the condition worse, it rained heavily on July 4 during the confederate retreat. Andrew stated that it would be "a disadvantage to farming for several years.".
The state did not recognize damage to farmland as a loss when examining Andrew's claim, but all other items were found to be relevant. The state subtracted 300 dollars from the original bill (the compensation for the land damage) making the amount submitted to the federal government for reimbursement to be $1697.69.
In the same year as the filing of the claim (1868) Andrew also had his will written in which he directed that if the funds were received after his death, they should be distributed equally to his four children. Andrew would not live to see any compensation from the government. He died on January 18, 1871. As far as we know, there was never a payment from the government to the family for the losses surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg.
Gregory A. Coco recorded Andrew Weikert's account of the farm being used as a hospital in his book "A Vast Sea Of Misery: A History and Guide to the Union and Confederate Field Hospitals at Gettysburg, July 1 - November 20, 1863". Mr. Coco gave this review of the farm in his book:
"The farm today is still occupied by the Weikert family, and is as neat and well-tended as any farm you will find in Pennsylvania. In fact it is almost a showplace. The house boasts some of the most beautiful stone work you will find anywhere--sadly, in viewing the hospital sites as a whole, this farm is by far (condition wise) an exception to the rule."