Existing comment:
"A House Was Burning"
Union soldiers described the fighting at the Mumma farm:
"I do not see how any of us got out alive. The shot and shell fell about us thick and fast, I can tell you, but I did not think much about getting shot after the first volley."
"Just in front of us a house was burning, and the fire and smoke, flashing of muskets and whizzing of bullets, yells of men, etc., were perfectly horrible."
The burning house was the Mumma farmhouse. Fearful that Union sharpshooters would use the farm buildings as a strongpoint, Confederates had set fire to them. The column of fire and smoke was visible all morning above the battle. This fire was the only deliberate destruction of civilian property.
Alexander Gardner photographed the burned out farm buildings two or three days after the battle. The photograph was taken from the far side of the farmstead. The white springhouse was the only salvageable structure and it still stands. The Mumma family lost almost everything. The spent the winter of 1862-63 with the Sherrick family near Lower Bridge and were able to rebuild in 1863. The Federal Government compensated residents for battle damages. The Mummas received no compensation because the damage was done by Confederates. |