One important thing about this battle, in fact it is extraordinary, is that even though the battle was fought in and around the town only one citizen of Gettysburg was killed, Jennie Wade.
However, she didn’t become famous just because she was the only citizen of the town to be killed in the battle, but she was also the lady had who had spent the first two days of the battle baking bread for the Unionist soldiers.
What Happened?
It was here that nearly 160 years ago, on November 19, 1863 President Lincoln came the site of the famous battle and there he delivered the Gettysburg Address.
This battle was the single most important event that was to change the course of the American Civil War. Even more importantly his words changed the United States of America as it transformed the war from one for Union to a one for freedom.
Gettysburg – Brothers at War, the musical
It is for these two reasons that we published our musical Gettysburg – Brothers at War that shows what happened to Jennie Wade and finishes with the Gettysburg Address as the opening words to the final song “Freedom”.
Gettysburg – Brothers at War is a story that happens in many civil wars where two brothers split their family as they go to fight on different sides. In our musical they then meet up at the Battle of Gettysburg.
This commanding musical gives you a powerful and enjoyable show that your children will remember, and their parents will enjoy watching.
To download it click on https://www.history-portal.com/index.php/product/gettysburg/
The Battle of Gettysburg.
Day 1
General Lee had control of 75,000 men and was travelling North towards central Pennsylvania. He was being pursued by the Unionist Army of the Potomac led by Major General George Meade. His army numbered 95,000 men.
General Lee sent several of his brigades East to search for supplies and to check their position. At the same time General Meade had sent two cavalry brigades ahead of his army. They had reached Gettysburg and despite not being ordered to fight for the town, the brigades’ leader, Major General John Buford, had found a ridge known locally as Mcpherson’s Ridge. He felt it was worth defending and ordered his men to dismount their horses and take positions on the ridge. The Confederate brigades stumbled across the Unionists and the Battle of Gettysburg started on the afternoon of the 30th June, 1863.
The battle was never planned and only occurred due to an accident of circumstances.
The two sides clashed and word was sent back to both armies who quickly arrived at the site. The initial Confederate attack drove the Union troops back through the town to a defensive position just South of the town. By the end of the first day the Unionist troops had been pushed back to the area known as Culps Hill. Northern reinforcements arrived and they then built a two-mile defensive position along Culps Hill and Cemetery Ridge.
Day 2
The Confederate forces launched several attacks on this defensive position early on the second day of the battle. Unfortunately for them, the attacks, including some on different defensive positions, were not properly coordinated and didn’t happen simultaneously. As a result, although the Confederates did achieve some success, many lives were lost on both sides and the day ended with the Unionists still dug into their positions, with the Confederates still very much in the better position.
Day 3
On the third day of the battle, 2nd July 1863, General Lee was full of confidence after seeing his army being in control for two days. Believing them to be invincible he ordered an attack on the Union line at a place which was, in his view, the weakest point.
General Meade, the Unionist Commander, had decided that his army should remain in their defensive places for the anticipated attack.
The Confederates attacked the Unionist’s rear on this third day, in addition to also attacking Culps Hill again. The Unionists resisted the attack and succeeded in turning them back.
The Confederates then launched the largest cannon bombardment to have ever occurred on the American mainland, but the majority of the cannons missed their targets. After the bombardment the Confederates launched a huge charge at the Unionist lines. This was known as ”Picketts Charge”. The Unionist guns mowed down the advancing Confederates. Some Confederate troops survived and reached a group of trees that became known as the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. These trees were then attacked on three sides. The remaining Confederate forces were forced to retreat back to Virginia.
Jennie Wade.
Jennie Wade is famous because she was the only Gettysburg citizen killed in the battle. She spent the first two days of the battle baking bread for the Unionist soldiers. But on the morning of the 3rd July, while she was making bread, a stray bullet flew through the door and killed her.
The End of the Civil War.
Gettysburg is seen as the turning point of the war because up until then Confederate forces had succeeded in gaining many victories and had even been able to invade Northern Territory. They and many others believed that they were invincible. It took the Unionists two more years before they gained outright victory in 1865.
The Gettysburg Address.
Four and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln came to Gettysburg and delivered his famous speech, “The Gettysburg Address”. This speech not only immortalized the battle but also, theoretically, laid the blueprints for democracy.
Isn’t history fun?
10 questions to discuss:
- What factors led to the unplanned clash between Union and Confederate forces at Gettysburg?
- Describe the different strategies employed by the Union and Confederate armies during the three days of battle.
- Why is the Battle of Gettysburg considered a turning point in the Civil War, despite the Union taking two more years to win?
- How did Jennie Wade’s story become significant in the context of the battle?
- Discuss the historical and emotional significance of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
- Beyond the military aspects, how did the Battle of Gettysburg impact the social and political landscape of the United States?
- Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Generals Lee and Meade during the battle.
- Analyze the role of logistics and resource management in shaping the battle’s outcome.
- Imagine you are a citizen of Gettysburg caught in the midst of the fighting. What challenges and decisions would you face?
- In your opinion, what lessons can be learned from the Battle of Gettysburg that are relevant to modern society?
These questions encourage critical thinking, analysis, and personal reflection beyond simply summarizing the information presented. They delve into the causes, strategies, consequences, and broader significance of the battle, promoting thoughtful engagement with the historical event.
For more on this:
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-gettysburg
https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/mary-virginia-jennie-wade
© Tony Dalton