Women of Gettysburg

After visiting Gettysburg for the first time and hearing about some of the remarkable stories about some of the women during the Civil War, I was fully invested in learning more and being able to share that information with others. These women were brave in their own ways even if they weren’t directly assisting in the battles themselves. Without them, many others would have suffered and their selflessness should be noted and others should learn from them.

 Jennie Wade

 Probably one of the most talked about women of that period was Jennie Wade. She was born in Gettysburg in 1843 and grew up there. When the soldiers rode into Gettysburg, Jennie had moved in with her sister who had just given birth. Jennie and her mother were there to assist her sister and newly born nephew and help care for the soldiers coming through. While she was trying to knead bread one morning, bullets pelted the side of the residence and one hit Jennie. She died from the gunshot wound and was the only civilian who passed during the battle of Gettysburg. 

Photo from: Beth Lawson personal collection

Elizabeth Thorn

Elizabeth Thorn was originally born in Germany, but when she was 21, her family decided to emigrate to the U.S. While on their journey to the states, she befriended Peter Thorn who helped her family. They settled in Pennsylvania and were married in 1855. Peter was the caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery. In 1862, he enlisted in the army and Elizabeth agreed to continue being the caretaker, even while raising 3 children. The following year, while pregnant and caring for the cemetery, a Confederate invasion occurred, and several soldiers ended up at the cemetery looking for food. Her, her mother, and her father helped take care of several soldiers, union and confederate. Once the battle started overrunning the area, Elizabeth and her family were warned to leave their residence and find somewhere else to stay. After several days went by, Elizabeth made her way back to her residence. She had to clean up what was left behind from the Union soldiers that took up occupancy during the battle. Not only that, but she was tasked by the Evergreen Cemetery Association to bury the dead soldiers that were left behind. So, while pregnant in the July heat, she dug graves and buried countless bodies. To this day, 66 soldiers are still buried at Evergreen Cemetery from the hands of Elizabeth Thorn. 

Photo from: Beth Lawson personal collection

Although that was just two significant women during the battle of Gettysburg, there were countless others that played pivotal roles during the war. Many helped medically, gave soldiers a place to rest, gave them food to eat, took care of each other’s families, among many other selfless acts. Stories like these inspire me to do more for the community because if these ladies could care for others among this awful chaos, we can help each other on a normal day.

Written by Beth Lawson