He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 154th New York Volunteer Infantry. Killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, Amos Humiston's body was discovered with no identification, only a photograph of three small children clutched in his hand.
His story made the headlines in many Northern newspapers. His widow saw the photograph in a magazine, discovering that the photo was of her children and that her devoted husband was dead. Proceeds from the sales of the children's photo and other fundraising efforts allowed a children's home to be opened in Gettysburg after the war.
The Orphans' Homestead was built just a few yards outside the eastern gate of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Amos Humiston was laid to rest. His wife, Philanda Humiston, became one of the first matrons of the orphanage and resided there with her three children.
He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 154th New York Volunteer Infantry. Killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, Amos Humiston's body was discovered with no identification, only a photograph of three small children clutched in his hand.
His story made the headlines in many Northern newspapers. His widow saw the photograph in a magazine, discovering that the photo was of her children and that her devoted husband was dead. Proceeds from the sales of the children's photo and other fundraising efforts allowed a children's home to be opened in Gettysburg after the war.
The Orphans' Homestead was built just a few yards outside the eastern gate of the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where Amos Humiston was laid to rest. His wife, Philanda Humiston, became one of the first matrons of the orphanage and resided there with her three children.
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