Sherfy Farm at Gettysburg: A Family’s Resilience and the Echoes of Battle
The Sherfy Farm, situated on Emmitsburg Road, approximately a mile south of Gettysburg, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Reverend Joseph Sherfy and his family. Spanning fifty acres, this historic farm played a pivotal role in the Battle of Gettysburg, bearing witness to the fierce fighting that unfolded on its grounds on July 2nd and 3rd, 1863.
Ownership and Battlefield Significance
Reverend Joseph Sherfy, the owner of the farm during the battle, presided over a property that included the renowned Peach Orchard, situated south of Wheatfield Road, as well as the iconic Big and Little Round Tops and the infamous Devil’s Den. The farmhouse itself, constructed in the 1840s, still bears the scars of battle in the form of visible bullet holes, silent witnesses to the intense combat that took place in its vicinity.
The original barn, utilized as a Confederate field hospital, met a tragic fate during the battle as it succumbed to flames. The current barn, a postwar replacement, now stands as a symbol of resilience and restoration.
The Sherfy Family’s Pacifist Legacy
Joseph Sherfy, his wife Mary, and their six children were pacifist members of the Church of the Brethren. As Union troops, under the command of John Reynolds’ 1st Corps, advanced up Emmitsburg Road on July 1st, the Sherfy family actively contributed to the war effort. Joseph ensured that a large water tub along the road remained filled, while Mary and her mother Catherine baked bread for the marching soldiers.
Ordered away from their farm on the morning of July 2nd, the Sherfy’s sought refuge southeast of the Round Tops and at Two Taverns, evacuating their stock to safety.
Post-Battle Devastation and Reconstruction
Returning to their home on July 6th, Joseph and his son encountered a scene of devastation. Their house had been ransacked and damaged by artillery shells, and the grounds were littered with the aftermath of war. The orchards and fences lay in ruins, and the fields were a grim tableau of dead soldiers and horses.
One soldier vividly described the aftermath, recounting the charred remains of wounded men trapped in the barn as it succumbed to flames. The Sherfy’s faced the daunting task of cleaning, replanting, and rebuilding amid the physical and emotional wreckage left in the wake of the battle.
A Symbol of Resilience
Undeterred by the horrors they witnessed, the Sherfy’s restored their farm, resuming their lives and even selling peaches from their famous orchard. The farm became a pilgrimage site for veterans, who adorned one wall of the house with photographs commemorating their service on these hallowed grounds.
Present-Day Preservation
Today, Sherfy Farm is owned by the National Park Service, ensuring the preservation of this historic site for future generations. The farmhouse, now rented out, serves as a living testament to the Sherfy family’s resilience and the enduring echoes of the Battle of Gettysburg. As visitors explore the grounds, they are transported back in time, standing where the Sherfy family once faced the unimaginable challenges of war and, against all odds, rebuilt their lives.
