With Ms. Lydia Leister and her children now removed from the house for the battle, the Union army headquarters had all the plans in the world to use this house for their field command. Even though the house was in hearing and walking distance from the front lines on Cemetery Ridge, the enemy could not figure out where the center command was located. The Leister House was sheltered behind a slope and was hidden from the Confederates.
Much was happening around the house during the battle. Even though this would be General George Meade’s Headquarters, other commanders from different Corps, Divisions, Brigades, and Regiments would travel over and get their orders from their superiors here at this place. The wooden planks surrounding the farm would be used for firewood, and also be used for grave markers. All the fence rails for the farm, barn, and house were used. During the artillery bombardment, the house and barn were hit a few times. The shot and shells from cannons and the dead horses would destroy the trees and contaminate the well. At one time during the bombardment during Pickett’s Charge, Union commander George Meade did move his headquarters to Power’s Hill, which is across from Spangler Springs.
Upon returning home on July 5th, Lydia and her daughters found the house in shambles. Numerous puncture shots were in the house. Seventeen dead horses were in the yard and Taneytown Road next to the house. Her animals were gone, and the trees were destroyed. She received some compensation for the damages by selling the bones of the dead horses at fifty cents per hundred pounds. However, after only three years, Lydia replaced everything on the farm and added an addition to the house in 1874. She remained at the farm till 1888 and then moved into her daughter Hannah’s house in Gettysburg. She sold the house to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association in 1888 for three thousand dollars. Lydia would pass away on her birthday on December 29th, 1893, which was her 84th birthday.