This morning was set-up for Hanna’s Town tea – so I was up and out early along with about 10 others. I did a few household chores, then took a few things over to Kathy before coming home to post this. It’s chilly – some sprinkles – and some sun. Side note: This is a bookmark that was in our motel room!
So, let’s join the vacation on Monday morning. We went straight to the Gettysburg History Center. Kathy got her picture taken as a ‘soldier’! The gift shop was very nice, reasonably priced, and had a few fun displays.
Kathy!
President Lincoln
Soldier and his horse.
The main attraction was the diorama – which lit up as the soldiers moved through the battles. There was a 40 minute video/presentation that explained the different battle sites – names that became very familiar – The Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, Big Round Top, The Peach Orchard, Seminary Ridge, Spangler’s Spring, Culp’s Hill. It really gave a good overview of the 3 day battle.
Gettysburg
All the battle fields.
We went from there to the Jenny Wade house. Actually it was her sister’s home, a duplex in downtown. Jennie was there for safety (ironically) and to help provide food for the Army of the Potomac that was camped in town. While she was in the kitchen making bread a bullet came through the front door and the kitchen door and she was struck in the back. She died immediately. She was 20 years old.
Jennie with her bread and water for the Union army
She’s pointing to where the bullet went through the door.
The parlor bed where Jennie’s sisters baby was born. (Jennie’s picture above the fireplace)
The actual dough tray where Jennie was making bread.
The kitchen as it was.
Upstairs bedroom where the parlor bed had been.
The main bedroom upstairs.
The duplex kitchen
Duplex fireplace
Duplex kitchen
Artifacts – the cannon shell on the bottom shelf. An original floorboard in the middle shelf – where Jennie died.
Jennie was the only civilian casualty of the entire war. Two soldiers heard the screams come from inside the house – they helped get Jennie’s sister and day-old baby, her younger brother, and her mother to safety in the basement. Her mother would not go unless they took Jennie down, as well. There is much more to the story, but it was amazing to tour the house and hear the story.
where they waited in the basement.
Fireplace in the basement
Representation of Jennie Wade’s body.
Painted mural in basement depicting waiting out the battle.
Later in the day we drove over to the Evergreen Cemetery and found Jennie’s grave and monument. She is one of only two women that have a perpetual flag flying over the grave (NEVER is taken down, day or night) – the other being Betsy Ross. Very interesting and impressive story.
Jennie’s monument
Monument and the perpetual flag.
When the care taker of the Evergreen cemetery went to war, his wife took over burying the dead soldiers. She was six months pregnant!
Caretaker’s home and entrance to the cemetery
Elizabeth took over.
She looks tired…
Cannons in the cemetery
I’ll pick up the rest of the day tomorrow. But let me first say that I have been listening to JD Hewitt – The History Traveler – on his Gettysburg videos. Suddenly the next video was Lexington and Concord! Quite a switch from the Civil War to the Revolutionary War!
QUOTE of the DAY:
PEANUTS:
TOMORROW May 9th is:
Hurray for Buttons Day; National Train Day; National Windmill Day; World Belly Dance Day; National Dog Mom’s Day; National Lost Sock Memorial Day; National Home Front Heroes Day; National Sleepover day; National Butterscotch Brownie Day; National Alphabet Magnet Day; Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day; National Miniature Golf Day; National Archery Day; National Babysitter Day; Brunch for Lunch Day.
We love buttons! My friend Mary’s husband and son LOVE trains! Oh, for the lost socks to be found! My brother-in-law is the king of mini-golf. God bless!
On this day in History: 1861 Richmond, Virginia, is named the capital of the Confederacy in the US
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