the Battle of Gettysburg Resource Center
General Schimmelfennig,
The General Who Hid in the Woodpile
Contributed by W. Norton-Taylor
During the retreat of the Union forces through the town of Gettysburg, General Schimmelfennig commander of the 11th Corps, 3rd Division, 1st Brigade was heading down Washington St. and for some reason turned off into an alley. Unfortunately the alley ended at a barn belonging to the Garlach family, the only outlet was another alley leading to Breckinridge Street which was in Confederate hands. The Rebels were close behind him and his horse was shot out from under him, but he evaded capture by climbing over a fence and headed for Baltimore Street, but the Rebels had control of that street. He managed to hide in a drain culvert on the Garlach property and evade capture. After dark he found a hiding place between some stacks of firewood, barrels, and the woodshed in the Garlach yard. He managed to use some of the firewood to build a shelter for himself. When Mrs. Garlach went to empty a bucket the General made his presence known to her. He was in grave danger of being spotted by the Rebels who had complete control of the town, but he managed to stay hidden. On the second day Mrs. Garlach managed to bring him some bread and water on the pretense of emptying a bucket into the swill barrel in the yard. He managed to remain undetected until the battle ended and on the morning of July 4 he was re-united with his men.
email us your comments and suggestions
last revised 10/02/04
