St. Joseph's Valley Camp
"I did not see it multiplied, but saw it there!"
About 80,000 Union troops settled here in Saint Joseph's Valley as June 1863 drew to a close, "until the grounds around were actually covered with Soldiers." Emmitsburg was placed under martial law, and the Vincentian priests at Saint Joseph's Church had to get passes to come and go. Those encamped on and around these grounds included Gens. George G. Meade, Oliver Otis Howard, and Philippe Regis De Trobriand. Gen. Carl Schurz and his staff were accommodated here in the White House built by Elizabeth Bayley Seton in 1810 as the first motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity.
Sister Mary Jane Stokes, who had charge of the farm and farm workers at St. Joseph's Central House, recorded her experience of feeding the starving Union soldiers.
"The poor fellows looked half-starved, lank as herrings, and barefoot. The Sisters were cutting bread all during the late afternoon and evening and were giving them bread to eat as fast as they came for it. It was afraid there would be no bread left for the Sisters' supper. However there was. After supper, since I was on duty in the kitchen, I went to Mother Ann Simeon, and told her I didn't know what the Sisters would do for breakfast next morning, for they would have no bread. Then I went to see."
Sister Mary Jane added emphasis to her account with underlining: "The baking of the day was there. I did not see it multiplied, but I saw it was there!"
Marker can be reached from South Seton Avenue (Business U.S. 15), on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
