"Too Much for Human Endurance": The George Spangler Farm Hospitals and the Battle of Gettysburg

by Ronald D. Kirkwood

The stories of the doctors, nurses and patients at the Union Army’s hospital in Gettysburg come to life in this unique Civil War history.   Those who toiled and suffered at the Army of the Potomac’s XI Corps hospital at the George Spangler Farm in Gettysburg have long since departed. But Ronald D. Kirkwood, a journalist and George Spangler Farm expert, shares their stories—many of which have never been told before—in this gripping and scholarly narrative.   Using a wealth of firsthand accounts, Kirkwood re-creates the XI Corps hospital complex and its people—especially George and Elizabeth Spangler, whose farm was nearly destroyed in the fateful summer of 1863. A host of notables make appearances, including Union officers George G. Meade, Henry J. Hunt, Edward E. Cross, Francis Barlow, Francis Mahler, Freeman McGilvery, and Samuel K. Zook. Pvt. George Nixon III, great-grandfather of President Richard M. Nixon, would die there, as would Confederate Gen. Lewis A. Armistead, who fell mortally wounded at the height of Pickett’s Charge.    Kirkwood presents the most complete lists ever published of the dead, wounded, and surgeons at the Spanglers’ XI Corps hospital, and breaks new ground with stories of the First Division, II Corps hospital at the Spanglers’ Granite Schoolhouse. He also examines the strategic importance of the property itself, which was used as a staging area to get artillery and infantry to the embattled front line.

Genres: Civil War, History, Nonfiction

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2019

Reviews

[Straw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it can be tough to bring together disparate source records into a cohesive narrative. But this is so sloppy and random at times. I'm reading a history book about the 2nd Corps hospital and it blows this out of the water. More time? More data? Don't know. But it is infinitely better.

[Susan Biscay-Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novices and experts of Civil War history will gain insight into this thoroughly researched and documented account of the George Spangler field hospital at Gettysburg. Kirkwood offers the reader a deeply personal, factual look into not only the bloodiest battle fought on American soil, but also the Civil War as it represents mankind's propensity for war and the suffering that inevitably ensues. His focus on this specific field hospital draws the reader into intimate proximity to a place and to the human souls who succumbed and endured there. Kirkwood presents medical procedures, warfare technologies, unbearable sights and sounds, filth, squalor, human tenderness and anguish, heroes and scoundrels. First person accounts speak to reader's basic humanity in ways that connect them to this important setting: one that has now taken its rightful place in the annals of a shared history of this nation.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a very complete accounting/explanation of hospitals set up around the Gettysburg battlefield. He explained just about every aspect you could think of regarding such a place/event, from start to finish.....& all done in a compelling readable way. Sometimes it can be hard to follow all the placements of the battalions, artillery groups, positioning on the battlefield....but he did a real good job of making that readable/understandable too. The reader can easily imagine the chaos, sights, sounds, smells, fright/fear, & the bravery too, of that time. It was interesting to read about the area around the town of Gettysburg, & the families that lived in the area too, & also where they ended up after the war. There are a number of photographs & drawings that are appropriate too. Even the Appendix was interesting to read, as he gave an accounting of where those Drs serving there ended up after the war.

[fred MacCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written book, that covered the history of the Spangler Farm and surrounding area during the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Kirkwood, provided some outstanding information on the wounded who received care the farm as well as, information regarding individuals who died and were initially buried on the property.

I did find several areas of the book were repetitive and that made for tedious reading at times, but overall the book flowed well. Being familiar with the farm and Gettysburg itself I found the maps provided were helpful in understanding the battlefield and the role played by the Spengler Farm

[Mary Ellen Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually did the audiobook but it isn't listed on GR. Exhaustive info on Spangler but not well written. Is not chronological nor topical and skips around making it hard to follow. I felt that more should e about the hospital based on the title but lots of info on the artillery and other units who were on the farm which was irrelevant to my purposes. Chapter 5 was most useful as it had a detailed description of amputations and more medical in ch 11. Glad I didn't pay full price as much wasn't useful to me.

[Tedra Ulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-rending, well written account of the system of farms put into service during the Battle of Gettysburg. The focus is on the Spangler Farm and the hundreds of individual stories of the men who survived or died of injuries there, including Confederate General Lewis Armistead. Oddly enough, one of the stories was that of a distant relative from Ohio.

If you’re planning a visit or have been to the battlefield, it’s a must.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surgeons were the super heroes of the Civil War.

Tour guide suggested this book on tour of Gettysburg battlefield. I bought it that second and I am not sorry.


Fascinating. It changed my perception of surgeons from bumbling butchers to dedicated life savers. Working hours straight for days at a time under appalling conditions. Their superhuman efforts saved lives; often to the detriment of their own health.

Best of the best.

[Diane Depew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has some excellent information and first hand material on the George Spangler family, farm and hospital. That said, there’s also a lot of redundancy in topics throughout the book, as well as the author straying, sometimes at great lengths, into subjects that have no relevance to his primary topic. It was worth the read, but could have been edited to about half its length.

[Paul Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most interesting study of medical care at the Battle of Gettysburg. A full appendix lists names of soldiers cared for. Having lived in Western New York, it was new information to me on the numbers of XI Corp personnel came from that area. I also found a CSA officer who was probably a distant cousin to my great great grandfather (himself wounded at Stones River).

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It examines the Battle of Gettysburg from the point of view of the Spangler farm which became, among many other things, the field hospital for the 11th Corps. It is extremely well researched and written. Excellent!

[Bob Green]

An educational read. I’ve read many books about Gettysburg but “Too Much for Human Endurance” introduces an entirely new angle on those fateful days in July 1863.

The doctors, nurses and relief workers played a critical role during and after the battle.

[Paul F. Semanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron has done a masterful job of telling the Spangler Farm story!

[Paula J. Isenman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all who are passionate about Gettysburg

An inside view of the compassion of those caring for all the soldiers of the civil war. Dr Letterman’s Battlefield medicine.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, although a bit repetitive in parts. However, Ron Kirkwood has managed to ferret out some truly spectacular quotes from witnesses of the time. Including:

"There are people who speak lightly of war as a mere heroic sport. They would hardly find it in their hearts to do so had they ever witnessed scenes like these, and thought of the untold miseries connected with them all over the land. Maj. Gen Carl Schurz on XI Corps field hospital at the George Spangler Farm, Gettysburg (p. 198)"

And

"...We can do much to inspire the rising generation with the same love for our country that led the men and women of the war to give the best years of their young lives to preserve those blessings they now enjoy. We can do much to lead the rising generation to see the horrors of war rather than its glories that they may give their lives to preserve these blessings through peace." Gettysburg Nurse Rebecca Price, 1915"

I learned something I didn't know -- that doctors set up operating tables under the forebay of mid-Atlantic style barns so as to maximize light and air movement while keeping patients out of the worst of the sun or rain during surgeries. This makes a lot of sense, and, having visited a number of former Civil War field hospitals in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area, explains logistics I couldn't quite figure out.

Kirkwood is clearly passionate about his role volunteering at the Spangler farm. Where he lost me was the very last chapter which read a little too much like a cheer-leading squad shouting praise vs. a more scholarly look at the actual restoration of the property by the Gettysburg Foundation and the National Park Service.

Overall a solid history read. Anyone interested in Civil War history and/or medicine should give this a go.

[Joe Von · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kirkwood's writing is engrossing and interesting. However, I failed to agree with him on some of his larger points being made. He argues that the Spangler farm was am integral supply hub, however, it seems almost the opposite of that. It proved more tactically important. Also, if I was Kirkwood, I would have dropped "Hospitals" from the title as a lot of the book is not about the hospitals. There are also plenty of problematic citations that are not properly formatted or offering information that makes the citation hardly worthwhile, or completely incorrect.

[M.L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading!
Absolutely loved this book.
I feel as though I am right there along side the surgeons,doctors and soldiers!