Historians and people that have some knowledge about the Civil War and the battle of Gettysburg knows that only one civilian died during the battle. That woman that died was no one else other than Jennie Wade. Other cities and local towns got notice of this from soldiers letters home and news through the telegraph systems. However, newspaper and journalist seemed to find ways to encouraged others to fight against the Confederacy and possibly sign up for service. Here are some articles in local papers that described the death of Jennie Wade.
A little backstory before we continue. Jennie Wade was buried three times. Once right after the battle in the garden behind her sister’s house where she was killed on July 4th. The second time was at the German Reformed Church down the road towards town on January 1st, 1864. The final time was moving her to Evergreen Cemetery in November 1865.
Here is one article from the Waynesboro, Pennsylvania newspaper within the Village Record dated April 29, 1864:
There were poems, songs, and the push for a monument to remember her sacrifice. Her only statue was given in the Evergreen Cemetery. The other two were just a small headstone. Citizens across Pennsylvania and throughout the telegraph system wanted something more. Some articles express this to have a proper memorial for the heroine of Gettysburg.
This is from the Franklin Repository date December 30, 1863:
There was been rumors that a coffin was being prepared for a Confederate officer that died on July 2nd. It seems from this telegraph article that that coffin was finished and given to Ms. Jenny Wade. The coffin was possibly meant for Confederate General William Barksdale.
In the end, Jennie Wade was buried in the garden and then transferred to the cemetery in January 1864. Articles continued for a monument to remember her, and their wishes were granted, but much later with the help of her sister, Georgeanna Wade McClellan.