Another forgotten or overlooked figure from Gettysburg

[samgrant]

Jennie Wade, in house on Baltimore Street, preparing to bake biscuits, killed by a stray shot, Gettysburg's only civilian fatality, twenty years old.

[gary]

Were Wade's biscuits burnt in the oven or were they eaten? Can hystery provide us with an answer?

[william42]

Were Wade's biscuits burnt in the oven or were they eaten? Can hystery provide us with an answer?

My guess would be eaten by boys from either or both sides. Possible they called a truce so they could consume them? This might be a question for Ed Bearss.



Terry

[gary]

Should we contact National Park Service Ranger John Hennessy and or John Heist and ask them? Before we do, let's reason some things out.

First, it is safe to assume that which ever side held the area around her house got to eat the biscuits. However, Gettysburg was in Union hands until they were driven out of the town and onto Cemetery and Culp's Hill. Therefore, we have to determine the time Wade was shot. If early in the battle, it is likely that the boys in blue ate the biscuits. If later in the day, then the Corn-feds were biscuit fed which makes them Not-so-Corn-fed or Not-as-much-Corn-fed.

Second, if the biscuits were eaten, how do we know Wade was baking biscuits when she was killed? Was she even finished making the batter or was she in the process of making the batter? If she was in the process, how does one distinguish between biscuit dough and doughnut dough? Bisquick wasn't marketed yet (and Wade was no f-rby to have snuck an empty box into her house). I don't think we can. We can certainly tell it isn't pie dough as pie dough has altogether a different texture. It wasn't cake dough either as cake dough tends to be very wet and runny. Having baked pies and cakes, I base my assertion on first hand knowledge. So, as to Wade's intent, did she leave behind a dairy, journal or letter that said, "I'm making biscuits today?" Did she make a statement to another who recorded it? Or was she by habit making biscuits daily? We don't know. Perhaps Wade in the practice of making biscuits whenever there's a battle in town. Most likely not as Gettysburg didn't have any battles before that day (unlike Yorktown or Bull Run). Assuming Wade did make biscuits, if they were eaten by either side, what evidence do we have that she did make biscuits? I can't find any reference in the Official Records and I challenge any scholar to find it (with respects to Wade's biscuits). I can't expect any soldier's journal entry or letter to read, "I ate poor Jennie Wade's biscuits today." However, if a soldier, any soldier on either side, ate biscuits that day and his unit was in Gettysburg, that might be recorded in the diary. Some soldiers did record mundane things like the distance they marched, the weather and what they dined on. So, someone please show me the letter. I haven't read it myself, haven't seen it in any published diary or journal or memoir or letter. I haven't read it in any regimental or unit history and Andy Turner's Gettysburg magazine doesn't have an article on it either.

It also raises an issue of culiniary practice. Are Pennsylvanians in the habit of serving gravy with their biscuits and if so, was there evidence of gravy or the ingredients for gravy in her kitchen? Gravy would indicate that she was preparing or did prepare biscuits. Generally gravy is made while the biscuits are baking. At least that's how I'd do it.

If the biscuits were made and consumed, there'd be no evidence that Wade even made biscuits at all that day. Could the biscuit story be fabricated by some Gettysburg resident in anticipating of giving Wade an air of nobility?

Never mind slavery and the cause of the war! Never mind whether slaves fought for the Confederacy! We've got a real issue at hand that demands hard answers. Why have historians overlooked something like this for years? Who started the conspiracy to canonize Wade? Did they want to draw tourists there to worship at her house like the spring at Lourdes? Didn't they think the battle would draw enough people there anyway?

Let's fire off these thoughts to the National Park Service and demand the truth. End the Conspiracy. I blame Bush.

[william42]

Gary, yours is the most detailed analysis of the "Jennie Wade biscuit question" that I have yet to read. I have not seen the issue so thoroughly broken down, dissected, and analyzed to such a degree before. Now I know why Mcpherson, Bearss, Wert, Sword et al have politely declined to investigate this momentary, yet profound episode almost hidden within that most deadly and terrible of battles- Gettysburg....too many variables!



Terry

[Dred]

I think Gary needs to put down his Biscuit-and-gravy tinted goggles and except the truth! Those Biscuits were ate up before poor Ms. Wades corpse hit the floor... and probably before they were done! No amount of Lost-biscuit mentality can change that!

[cw1865]

Not that it wasn't a tradgedy, poor woman cut down in the prime of her life. But really what are you thinking? A battle is erupting and you think to yourself, "Gee, its a good time to bake some biscuits."

We'll never know who ate them, or if anybody did, who in their right mind would admit to walking into the house, seeing a dead woman, but being tempted by the sweet aroma of biscuits.

[ole]

Poor Jenny was apparently in the process of "making" bisquits. If they were in the oven, she would have been "baking" bisquits. I'll venture that by middle '63, any veteran from either side would have been able to move from make to bake in a New York minute.

ole

(just to complicate things and complement gary's excellent observation.)

[M E Wolf]

Dear Forum Members,

I have to agree with Whitworth, there are way too many individuals who have passed the 'views' of historians and awarding individuals of great deeds. In reflection about Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain; if memory serves me correctly, his brother Tom, the ADJ to his elder brother, and another brother named John rode horses up to the Little Round Top. I understand Col. J.L. Chamberlain's horse was white, just as General Buford's mount was white--named Grey Eagle. John having come via the Christian Commission was sent ahead by Col. Chamberlain as to prepare a place for expected wounded. Lt. Tom was sent back a bit to tidy up the line. This is where the reported comment, after a solid shot went so close to their faces--J.L. Chamberlain said it would be a hard day for mother. What I sense from this engagement; and those prior-- Col. Chamberlain did have a reputation prior to Gettysburg, of being a excellent officer who cared for his men in a most sincere way. I would think when General Grant hand picked Col. J. L. Chamberlain to recieve one of the flags of surrender by the CSA; General John B. Gordon responded how Chamberlain was the 'knightliest soldiers of the Federal Army." At the App. C.H. Surrendering; Col. Chamberlain saluted in honor to General Gordon to which inspired him to do the same. Being the first to recieve the flag of surrender--set the whole tone and perhaps spoke best of his nature.

Brig. Gen. Gouverneur Kemble Warren was wounded July 2, Gettysburg [Engineer Div]; Brig. Gen. John Newton who took over First Corps (Gen. Reynold's Corps -taking over where Maj. Gen. Doubleday could only manage July 1; on Gettysburg's field of action July 2&3; D1–1st Corps: Brig. Gen. James Samuel Wadsworth did well at Gettysburg; “Iron Brigade” Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith who was wounded July1; Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler; Brig. Gen. John Cleveland Robinson; Brig. Gen. Gabriel Rene Paul who was wounded July1; Brig. Gen. Henry Baxter; Brig. Gen. Thomas Algeo Rowley; Brig. Gen. George Jefferson Stannard wounded July2 and 3;
Brig. Gen. John Curtis Caldwell;Brig. Gen. Samuel Kosciusko Zook -killed July 2; Brig. Gen. William Harrow; Brig. Gen. Alexander Stewart Webb wounded July 3 and Medal of Honor recipient; Maj. Gen. Daniel Edgar Sickles, wounded July 2 and MoH recipient--who was replaced by Maj. Gen. David Bell Birney; Brig. Gen. John Henry Hobart Ward; Brig. Gen. Charles Kinnaird Graham who was wounded then captured July 2 [a good many of the officers in this general's command were killed or wounded-to me--the command was virtually wiped out via slaughter]; Brig. Gen. Andrew Atkinson Humphreys; Brig. Gen. Joseph Bradford Carr;Brig. Gen. Francis Barretto Spinola who assumed command July 1, to be killed on July 2nd; Maj. Gen. George Sykes of 5th Corps; Brig. Gen. James Barnes wounded July 2; Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin; Brig. Gen. Romeyn Beck Ayres; Acting Brig. Gen. Stephen Hinsdale Weed killed July 2nd; Brig. Gen. Samuel Wylie Crawford; Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick; Brig. Gen. Horatio Gouverneur Wright; Brig. Gen. Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert; Brig. Gen. Joseph Jackson Bartlett; Brig. Gen. David Allen Russell; Brig. Gen. Albion Parris Howe; Brig. Gen. Thomas Hewson Neill; Brig. Gen. Alexander Shaler; Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton; Maj. Gen. Oliver Otis Howard who handled things on July 1 in the field after General Reynold's was killed until Gen. Hancock arrived to take over via order by Gen. Meade. Maj. Gen. Carl Schurz; Brig. Gen. Francis Channing Barlow who was wounded then captured on July 1;
Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames; Brig. Gen. Adolf von Steinwehr; Brig. Gen. Alexander Schimmelfennig; Maj. Gen. Henry Warner Slocum; Brig. Gen. Alpheus Starkey Williams; Brig. Gen. Thomas Howard Ruger; Brig. Gen. Henry Hayes Lockwood; Brig. Gen. John White Geary; Brig. Gen. Thomas Leiper Kane; Brig. Gen. George Sears Greene who was wounded July 3 and a part of this discussion; Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton; Brig. Gen. John Buford who was over looked as well as instrumental in choosing the best ground for the Union forces as well as his reputation for buying time, so others can escape/reform/etc; Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt; Brig. Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg; Brig. Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick; Acting Brig. Gen. Elon John Farnsworth who was killed July 3rd;Brig. Gen. George Armstrong Custer with many of his officers wounded or killed during Gettysburg; Brig. Gen. Robert Ogden Tyler--not even counting the many heros on the Confederate side.

In the book of my Grandfather's called: Under Both Flags - A Panorama of the Great Civil War- C. R. Graham author/copyright date 1896; in reading the accounts of: James H. Walker Co. K-9th VA Reg; the summary of being a participant and survivor of 'Pickett's Charge;' It was particularly fatal for Generals, officers and men. Three out of four Generals perished; 17 Field Officers were disabled out of 18. Another survivor (CSA) Wm. H. Stewart from Gen. Mahone's Brigade said that after Pickett's 4,500 men charge was over; there were still hot engagements on the 4th of July into the 5th at dawn before they withdrew. So--Gettysburg Battle really wasn't done in my opinion until the 5th. Another account; from Lt. G. W. Finley with Gen. Pickett at Cemetery Ridge--witnessed Col. Stuart fall mortally wounded and witnessed General Armistead with hat on his saber leading his troops and witnessed him being shot down.

My personal opinion is--that many Generals have been over looked. So have many officers, non-enlisted ranking officers, e.g. Sergeants, corporals and mostly the soldier have been the epitome of bravery.

This Great Civil War was the first in using the railroads, the balloon and many other things and the beginning of the end of the Nepolean tactics.

Fathers, sons, brothers fought and often together in the same company, which could wipe out an entire family.

I believe, that we can 'arm chair' and be very opinionated and have much passion in what we understand history to be. We, historically get a laundered version of history as it is usually the victor who writes the history books. It is also evident, that there is much more to our Great Civil War to which we can only assume/imagine/guess and or attempt in our modern comfort, logic and such which requires both sides of the story. But, in my grandfather's book "Under Both Flags -A Panorama of the Great Civil War" written/published in 1896 --The Union as well as the Confederate Veterans have resolved their personal differences and have become united in being witness and participants in what we enjoy as "The United States." History was written by the educated. Many of the soldiers didn't have good education, didn't read or write. Many soldiers were new citizens--many German, Prussian, Irish, Spanish, French and such participated in this Great Civil War.

I just feel that no matter what good intentions we (in general) may have; it will be grossly lacking in honoring all who participated in the Great Civil War regardless of sides. So many unknown soldiers are in the earth. For me--there will never be enough thanks given to both sides who fought at Gettysburg.

Just some thoughts on this first post on this wonderful site.

Sincerely,
M. E. Wolf

[gary]

Excellent first post M. E. Wolf. Welcome to the forum.