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Wednesday, September 23, 2020

A few more fun things!

 Because of Covid, some of the things we wanted to see in Gettysburg were on limited hours and weren't open until Thursday.  So - we did the Philadelphia things on Wednesday, and then on Thursday we went back to Gettysburg.


We started at the Jenny Wade house. Jenny Wade was a 20 year old girl who was the only civilian killed during the Gettysburg battle.  She was in this duplex helping her sister who had a baby the day before the battle started.  Her brother-in-law had signed up for the army, so he wasn't there either.
The Union was on one side of the house, the Confederates on the other.  Jenny was making biscuits when a bullet went though the door and killed her instantly.  Such a sad story!



These are bricks on the house. There were so many bullet holes!




In this hole, you can see the bullet still in the wall.



In one of the bedrooms, there is a bullet still in the bed post.



Upstairs, this wall was hit and broken through by a shell.  Union soldiers broke it further down as they helped to move Jenny Wade's body from one side of the duplex to another so the family could be safer downstairs.




We then went in search for the Union headquarters and found it here.



The side and back of the Union Headquarters.




We then went to the Gettysburg Museum.  It's full of information and interesting things.  Outside was this statue of Abraham Lincoln.  We had to get a photo of him with our 2 main history lovers!





Inside was this - the first Confederate flag, was later changed as they thought it might look too much like the US flag on the battlefield.



This is General Lee's cot, desk, heating cone and medical bag.



These are some of the actual notes written by Abraham Lincoln as he prepared the Gettysburg Address.



As we left the museum, we saw this mural with a quote from Major General Joshua :Lawrence Chamberlain, who we think was a great man, and the quote is very fitting.

"In great deeds something abides.
On great fields something stays.
Forms change and pass, bodies disappear;
but spirits linger... And reverent men 
and women from afar, and generations
that... we know not of... [are] drawn
to see where... great things were suffere
and done for them..."



When we finished at the museum, we went outside town to see the Sachs Covered Bridge.  It's designated as Pennsylvania's most historic bridge.  It was built in 1854 and was used by both the Union and Confederate armies during the war.



Andrew, Heather and Bob on the bridge.




We drove back through Gettysburg on our way back to the cabin and stopped at the Gettysburg Train Station.  This is the station Abraham Lincoln came in to when he gave the Gettysburg address.  It was also closed and used as a field hospital during the war.

















We stopped at a BBQ place close to the cabin and got some yummy supper.



We are outside at the cabin.  It was another fun day!


14 comments:

Debi said...

I loved the Jenny Wade house! I think it was my favorite thing, probably because it was a story I hadn't heard and the house just fascinated me.

Terri D said...

What a great day you had, back at Gettysburg. I'm glad you went back to see what you couldn't see earlier! You two had such a great time with your kids!! I loved going along through your photos and stories, Mari!!

Jean said...

I so remember being at the Jenny Wade house when I was on a Gettysburg school trip.

When we were there in 1988 as a family, we climbed a high tower from which we could see far and wide across the battlefield. Later I remember reading that it was a source of contention because it was considered an eyesore. It was torn down. I'm glad we got there before that because we loved it!

I'm so glad you got to see all these historic things with Heather before that baby comes!! You will always treasure the memories of this trip. And you can tell that child in years to come that he/she had already been to Gettysburg and Philadelphia!

Deb J. in Utah said...

I love this! Gettysburg is such a special and hallowed place. Thanks for sharing your pictures and memories. :-)

Ginny Hartzler said...

I didn't know about Jenny Wade, what a sad and incredible story! The bridge is just gorgeous, what a state treasure.

Susan said...

I didn't know the story about Jenny Wade. How Exciting to visit there. I love museums! Thank you for sharing your pictures!

Hootin Anni said...

I remember Lee's House. I would have enjoyed seeing the covered bridge.

Ramblings of a Retired Lady said...

Another great trip with lots of history. You have certainly seen what it used to be!

Changes in the wind said...

So grateful that all this is documented and preserved, pray that these things will be protected and enjoyed by all.

Sparky said...

Great photos. Looks like y'all had a good time. Maybe some day me and Steve can get a visit to Gettysburg. History is kinda my "thing". *lol* :)

Great-Granny Grandma said...

Interesting photos documenting your trip. You took some great shots.
The one with the pig wearing a mask gave me a chuckle.
So sad about Jenny Wade.

Laura said...

Wow, it is amazing to see how that house is still standing and still has all the bullets in it. Such a sad story.

Dianna said...

You had an amazing day! And Heather looks radiant. It is humbling to go to a place like Gettysburg and think on the history that was made on that very ground.

Jenny the Pirate said...

WOW what a trip, and what great pictures. The Jenny Wade story always makes me so sad. Poor thing. Seeing Lincoln's actual handwriting ... and paper that he touched ... that is mind boggling. And General Lee's possessions! What an honor. The bridge and the train station are awesome. xoxo