Category: Confederate

Spirits in the Wade House

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Heading south from the town square in Gettysburg along Baltimore Street takes you past homesteads within the 1860s. As you walk past the Tillie Pierce Inn, the Shriver house, the Farnsworth house, and the Wentz house, you get the feeling of walking in their footsteps. As you climb the hill heading onto East Cemetery Hill, you stare at a two-story duplex that is called the Jennie Wade House.

Georgia Wade McClellan gave birth on June 26th to Louis Kenneth McClellan, and it was a difficult labor. Due to the hardness of the pregnancy, the doctor told Georgia to stay in bed for ten days. With her mother Mary Ann Filby Wade and her sister, Jennie, only a few hundred yards away on Breckenridge Street, they moved to this house to take care of Georgia. Georgia and Jennie’s father, Captain James Wade was in the Alms House north of the town square in what was an alyssum for the insane. He was unaware of the battle and the outcomes of his family until many months after July 1863.

The battle started on July 1st and lasted through July 3rd. Union soldiers were behind the house while Confederate soldiers were near what is now Mr. G’s ice cream shop and the Farnsworth House. The house itself has over hundred bullet holes from Confederate soldiers shooting at Union soldiers passing past the house trying to “pick them off” from a distance. Some of the bullets hit the windows, the bedframe, the mantle, and the doors of the house causing Georgia, Jennie, and Mary to be quite concerned about the battle outside.

Jennie Wade was preparing bread for the family and the Union soldiers outside the house. As she read from the bible, she told Georgia and her mother Mary the following: “If there is anyone in this house that is to be killed today, I hope it is me, as Georgia has that little baby.”  Sadly and poetic, it occurred a few minutes later. A Confederate sharpshooter must have seen a Union soldier run past the door. One bullet traveled through the kitchen door and parlor door, and hit Jennie in the left shoulder blade, went through her heart, and ended in her corset. Jennie was killed instantly and fell to the floor.

Fast-forward to the present day, residents and visitors to Gettysburg still visit and travel through the house of Georgia Wade McClellan. They hear the stories of Georgia and Jennie Wade. The paranormal does exist within the house and the basement. Here are the following things that can be seen or heard:

  • the smell of freshly baked bread, perfumes, and cigar smoke
  • faint moaning of children in the house and cellar
  • thumping and walking up the original wooden staircase
  • wooden shoes in pictures
  • hearing the sound of movement or clothing throughout the house
  • voices of men, women, and children
  • shadows and full-figured apparitions
  • Captain James Wade looking out the window or in the basement

Everything single room has it’s own history, sadness, and paranormal activity. What have you heard on your experience within the Jennie Wade House?

Confederate, Georgia Wade McClellan, Gettysburg, Jennie Wade, Union, Wade Family

Georgia Wade McClellan’s Duplex

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A rainy afternoon in late September in Gettysburg brought me to this historic duplex. It’s almost that time of year that occurs in town every October where the paranormal enthusiasts come to talk to past family members, friends, soldiers, and other unforeseen entities. This house though is quite confusing to a visitor to town, or for true historians. This house has been named the following since the Civil War:

  • Gettysburg’s Oldest Museum
  • Jennie Wade House and Museum
  • Jennie Wade Museum
Georgia Wade McClellan’s Duplex

Jennie Wade never owned the house. She was just the sister of Georgia who lived on the left side of the house. There was another family that lived on the right side of the house. Jennie was at the house during the battle of Gettysburg because of family matters.

Jennie’s sister, Georgia, established the McClellan two-story rented brick duplex after her marriage with John Louis “Lou” McClellan. They married on April 15, 1862, (same day as the Titanic sinking fifty years later), and lived here at the house through 1866. Her husband was serving with the 2nd regiment of the Pennsylvania infantry, but the regiment didn’t fight at Gettysburg.

On June 26, 1863, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Georgia delivered her first child named Louis Kenneth McClellan at the duplex at 548 Baltimore Street. An hour later, three Union soldiers quickly rode past the house to escape Confederate General Early’s cavalry from being captured. One of them passed away further south of the duplex along Rock Creek named George Washington Sandoe.

Courtesy of the The Fort Payne Journal Oct 19, 1927 – Find a Grave

Since Georgia and her newborn son couldn’t move, the Wade family moved to the duplex for the battle. Sadly though, on July 3rd, at around 8:30 a.m., Jennie Wade was shot as she was kneading bread in the kitchen. The bullet penetrated the outer and inner doors, went through her back, and ended up in the front of her corset. She was dead before she hit the floor. She was the only civilian that died during the battle of Gettysburg.

Confederate, Denison, Iowa, Evergreen Cemetery, Georgia Wade McClellan, Gettysburg, Jennie Wade, McClellan, Union, Wade Family

Gettysburg College

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Just north of downtown in the square, there lies a college that saw the Battle of Gettysburg outside their windows. The college was founded in 1832, originally known as Pennsylvania College. It didn’t change it’s name to Gettysburg College till 1921. Shown below is a picture of the three buildings on the campus that were here during the Civil War.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress – Pennsylvania College

The first president of Pennsylvania College was Charles P. Krauth. He served for sixteen years between 1834 and 1850. He and his family lived within Pennsylvania Hall during his entire tenure, and acted like a guardian for the students who resided there. The second President of the College was that of Henry L. Baugher. He would be the president that served during the Civil War and offered the benediction on November 19, 1863 at the Soldier’s National Cemetery prior to the Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address.

The building with the cupula on the top is Pennsylvania Hall. For the first decade of the exitance of the college, this Hall was the only academic building on campus. It also contained the living quarters, offices, and relaxing rooms. The second building was started in 1846 and ended construction in 1860. Linnean Hall was used for scientific studies. The third and last building that stood on campus was the president’s house which was constructed in 1860. This is where the Baugher family resided during the Civil War.

During the battle of Gettysburg, Union signal officers used the cupola on June 30 and on July 1st, before the Confederates overran the northern side of town. Confederate generals used it on July 2nd and 3rd. The wounded were treated around the campus through the end of July before being transferred to Camp Letterman. After the battle, bullets, bones, and human remains continued to be found around the campus for multiple years.

Confederate, Field Hospitals, Gettysburg, Gettysburg College, Maryland, President, Union

Antietam – Burnside Bridge

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In the mid-morning to early afternoon, the Union concentrate near the lower Antietam bridge. Across the river, three Confederate batteries and approximately 600 soldiers from the state of Georgia were on the slopes looking down at the enemy. Staring at the heights and trying to figure a way across the bridge and the river stood the 9th Corps containing around 13,000 soldiers. Throughout the morning, the Rebels were continuing to shoot at the Union across the river.

Author’s picture of Burnside Bridge – April 2015 –

Against all the confusion, and the four attacks through Noon, the 2nd and the 20th regiments from Georgia continued to hold off the 9th Corps of the Union. However, around 1 p.m., regiments from the 51st Pennsylvania and 51st New York marched out of the cover of the trees and made a charge against the bridge and were successive.

The battle of Antietam was mainly a draw for both armies. However, soldiers were buried from the Union and the Confederacy within the National Cemetery. Not all soldiers were recognized as they were buried since ids and markers weren’t known at that time. Some soldiers were found with their family bibles or letters in their knapsacks. However, if the name was not known, they were labeled unknown soldiers. Luckily, some remains are still found as recently as thirty years ago and are reinterred with their brothers.

It was the bloodiest day in United States history, with a combined tally of 22,717 dead, wounded, or missing of Confederates and Union soldiers.

Antietam, Artillery, Confederate, Maryland, Union

Antietam – Bloody Lane

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As the northern portions of the battlefield ease, the concentrate of the Confederacy takes their position along the Sunken Lane. This farmer’s road was used so often that it sank into the terrain. Between the Mumma’s Farm and the Sunken Road, both forces would command their soldiers to most certain death. The Confederate troops were in line from the Dunker Church to the Lane, while the Union Troops made a half semicircle formation from the North Woods through the East Woods and towards the Sunken Road.

Terrain of the Sunken Road – The Bloody Lane –

One of the most famous generals of the Confederacy was near Dunker Church under the command of General Stonewall Jackson. To prevent Union sharpshooters, the Rebels set fire to the Mumma farmhouse. The rebels were positioned along the lane and they ducked down to not be seen. They waited for the Union soldiers to attack and not fire till they “saw the white in their eyes”.

Courtesy of the Author – Irish Brigade – Sunken Road –

One of the most known brigade of the location is the Irish Brigade. The brigade consisted of the 63rd, 69th, and 88th New York. They were led by the emerald green banners. They started the day with 1000 soldiers and officers. At the end of the day, over 600 were killed and or wounded. This flag below was one of the banners.

Green Ensign of the 1st Regiment (69th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry), Irish Brigade

Their fighting war cry from the 69th New York was the following: “Faugh a Ballagh” – Clear the Way!

Antietam, Artillery, Confederate, Gettysburg, Irish Brigade, Lost Orders, Maryland, McClellan, President, Sunken Road, Union

Antietam – Morning Phase

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After three small battles at Crampton, Fox, and Turner’s Gap, the Union and Confederate army converged on the biggest battle of the Maryland Campaign. Both armies moved towards this little town. Confederates called it the battle of Sharpsburg, while the Union called it the battle of Antietam. With the Rebel forces divided with some of it attacking Harpers Ferry and capturing the Union garrison, the other half is here preparing for battle against most of the Union forces. Even before the battle began, here are the facts:

  • Union soldiers numbered 84,000 with approximately 244 cannons
  • Confederate soldiers numbered 55,000 with approximately 148 cannons

This picture that is located in front of the Antietam’s Visitor Center shows the aftermath of the battle. It shows the cannon ball damage to the Dunker Church, and those soldiers killed on the field.

Courtesy of the Antietam National Battlefield wayside markers

On September 17th, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War began. Three phases of the morning, afternoon, and early evening occurred with significance in each time frame. The morning action that was between 5 to 9 a.m. happened on the northern part of the battlefield that included the West Woods, North and East Woods, and the Cornfield. When the fighting eased around 9 a.m., the Confederates retreated towards the West Woods.

There was over 8,000 casualties that were either killed or wounded. This fighting occurred on 24 acres of land. Some regiments of both armies were cut to pieces in less than 30 minutes. As an example, the 12th Massachusetts brought 334 soldiers to the morning fighting. As the fighting eased, less than 100 soldiers remained. It was the highest casualty rate of any Union regiment at Antietam.

Antietam, Artillery, Confederate, Gettysburg, Maryland, McClellan, President, Union

Lost Orders No. 191

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Confederate General Robert E. Lee began the first invasion of the North on September 4th, 1862. They moved across the Potomac River and traveled into Mary-land and towards Frederick. As they crossed the Potomac, the Union was on their tails from being centered outside Washington D.C. They were now in enemy territory. Even though the farmlands were rich and green with food, they moved at a snail pace. As they approached Frederick, Maryland on September 9th, portions of the army were captured in town in the picture below.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress – Confederates walking through Frederick, Maryland – Sept. 1862

The signage of Jacob Rosenstock’s Rosen’s Dry Good and Clothing store is the clue. This location was on Patrick Street in the downtown Frederick on September 12, 1862. This is the only known picture of Confederates marching in columns of fours.

As the soldiers arrived into the city, Confederate generals gathered and conversed about the next move. Having cigars near the fire was a common thing for the leaders to do. Somehow, though, after the Confederates have moved to the west towards Boonesboro and Harpers Ferry, was that the orders were left on the ground. Lee wanted to crush the Union garrison at Harper’s Ferry, so the orders had the army divide and hopefully accomplish the objective.

The Union was about a day behind the Confederate soldiers. Around 12 p.m. on September 13th, portions of the 12th Union Corps arrived into Frederick. As they moved towards the town, portions of the regiments walked through old campgrounds that were still smoking from the previous army.

Courtesy of the Monocacy National Battlefield – Frederick, Maryland

In one of these campgrounds, Corporal Barton W. Mitchell of the 27th Indiana Volunteers discovered cigars wrapped in a piece of paper lying in the grass. He handed the paperwork of the important document up the line of command. As the paperwork continued to go up the line of leadership within the Corps, it was read by the following:

  • Sergeant – John M. Bloss
  • Regimental Commander – Colonel Silas Colgrove
  • Aide to Camp – Samuel Pitman
  • 12th Corps Commander – Alpheus S. Williams
  • General of the Union Army in 1862 – George McClellan

George McClellan was overwhelmed with happiness since he knew where the Confederates direction and objective. He yelled out in glee, “Now I know what to do!”.

Antietam, Confederate, Frederick, Gettysburg, Lost Orders, Maryland, Monocacy, President, Union

Maryland Campaign 1862

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The start of the 164th anniversary of the Antietam/Maryland Campaign begins. Remembering the soldiers trekking through the wilderness northward to give farmers some time to recover from warn-torn Virginia would have been a sight to see. Multiple battles were fought throughout Virginia in 1861 and 1862, and the Confederate Army needed to give their citizens a brief break. This would be Confederate Robert E. Lee’s first invasion of the North.

Courtesy of the American Civil War webpage – Topographic map of Harpers Ferry and Loudoun’s Heights

The Confederate army containing approximately 55,000 soldiers traveled across the Potomac River on September 4, 1862, into the vast lustfulness of Mary-land. On their heels were the Union under the commander of General George McClellan and his army of around 84,000 soldiers at his disposal. Lee’s goal was to move into Pennsylvania, but the Union had other plans. The Union garrison that was within Harper’s Ferry was close enough to Virginia that they may threaten the supply lines and telegraph system that would be supporting the Confederate advances.

Confederate forces surrounded the town and captured the Union garrison stationed there. Overall, the Union forces surrendered 73 artillery cannons, 13,000 rifles, and approximately 12,000 soldiers. The commanding officer of the Confederacy at Harper’s Ferry was General Stonewall Jackson. His victory was one of the greatest of his storied career and resulted in the largest surrender of Union soldiers during the war.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress – General Stonewall Jackson

Three other battles occurred in Mary-land prior to the battle of Antietam that happened on September 17th. They were the battles of Crampton, Fox, and Turner’s Gap which are also known as the Battle of South Mountain. These battles happened only three days before the Antietam. The battle of South Mountain halted the Confederate invasion of the North, and began for General Lee to concentrate his forces around Antietam.

Antietam, Confederate, Gettysburg, McClellan, President, Union

June 29th, 1863

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The locations of the Confederate and Union Corps on June 29th. However, that’s not the main story. The temperatures are brutal across the Mid-Atlantic ranging between 90 to 100 degrees and evening thunderstorms with the heat. With traveling on muddy and backroads, it was a very difficult to travel from one place to another.

Meanwhile, the Confederate forces were spread out across Pennsylvania, but had plenty of access roads to combine forces if need be. The 1st Corps was in Chambersburg and commanded by Lieutenant General James Longstreet. The 2nd Corps was in Carlisle and was commanded by Lieutenant General Robert S. Ewell, and the 3rd Corps was commanded by Lieutenant General Ambrose Hill that was stationed outside Cashtown.

Here are some of the distances that the Union Corps had to march on June 29th.

  • 1st and 11th Corps (blank icon) marched from Frederick to Emmitsburg – 23 miles
  • 2nd Corps marched from Monocacy to Uniontown – 26 miles
  • 3rd Corps marched from Woodsborough to Taneytown – 12 miles
  • 5th Corps marched from Frederick to Libertytown – 11 miles
  • 6th Corps marched from Hyattstown to New Windsor – 26 miles
  • 12th Corps marched from Taneytown to Frederick – 23 miles
  • Bufford’s Cavalry rode from Middletown to Fairfied – 8 miles
  • Gregg’s Cavalry rode from New Market to New Windsor – 21 miles
  • Kilpatrick’s Cavalry rode from Frederick to Littlestown – 31 miles

Newly appointed general of the Union Federal Army was Major General George Gordon Meade. He wanted the Union army to deploy between Middlestown to Taneytown to Manchester. He wanted to have strong fallback positions in northern Maryland. He wanted to protect Washington D.C. and Baltimore, and wanted to defend Mary-land, not Pennsylvania.

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June 27, 1863

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The battle of Gettysburg is less than a week away. However, it’s only been less than 24 hours since Major General George Gordon Meade received orders that he is now the commander of the Army of the Potomac. Meade then directs and informs Major General Joseph Hooker of his relief from command.

George Gordon Meade is now the 5th man to command the Army of the Potomac in less than a year. General Meade learns that the Confederates are in southern Pennsylvania ransacking communities and terrifying citizens on the frontier. He commands the Union army to slowly drift north to see if they can draw the Rebels to fight them in Mary-land.

Courtesy of the novel – Battles and Leaders of the Civil War: III: Retreat from Gettysburg, page 266

His orders are to keep the Union army protecting Washington D.C. from the Confederates to the North.

Artillery, Confederate, Gettysburg, President, Railroad Maps, Union