Jennie Wade of Gettysburg: The Complete Story of the Only Civilian Killed During the Battle of Gettysburg

During the Civil War, citizens were usually unscathed if they were able to stay out of harm’s way. However, on July 3, 1863, Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade was kneading dough for biscuits in her sister's home on Baltimore Street when she was killed instantly—by a bullet passing through two wooden doors that struck her heart. In that moment, Jennie Wade became the only Gettysburg civilian to be killed outright during the battle. That is usually all visitors hear about this "Gettysburg Maid."

For the first time, author Cindy Small presents a complete narrative of Jennie Wade, her life, her family, and her untimely death on that fateful July day. Illustrated with period photos, detailed research includes other injured civilians, the relationship between Jennie and Jack Skelly, rumors of Jennie's reputation, the possible origin of the fatal shot, and details of Jennie's first coffin and three burials. Here is Jennie Wade's whole story.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Introduction
Chapters 1–12: The Jennie Wade Story
Appendix I: Other Civilian Losses during and after the Battle of Gettysburg
Appendix II: The Moral Factor in Determining the Reputation of Mary Virginia Wade
Appendix III: The Relationship between Jennie Wade and Jack Skelly
Appendix IV: Why was John Burns Antagonistic toward Jennie Wade and Others in Gettysburg?
Appendix V: The Interesting History of Jennie Wade's First Coffin
Appendix VI: The Fatal Shot—From Where and By Whom?
Appendix VII: Where was Wesley Culp Buried?
Appendix VIII: John White Johnston
Notes to the Appendices
Notes
Photo Credits
About the Author