The Sad Fate of Jennie Wade by Annie Wittenmyer
Jennie Wade stays with her mother to care for Mrs. McClelland and her newborn as battle engulfs Gettysburg. While Jennie makes bread for hungry soldiers, shells strike the house; one narrowly misses the mother and child, but another kills Jennie. Her mother continues baking beside her body until the battle closes. Jennie is buried uncoffined, wrapped in a flag, remembered by soldiers she fed as a heroine.
By Annie Wittenmyer · First published 1895 · Genre: Historical Nonfiction, Civil War History, Biographical Sketch · 543 words
First lines
One of the many sad incidents of the battle of Gettysburg was the tragic death of Jennie Wade. The family remained in their house, as they could not well leave a married daughter lying on her bed with a new-born infant by her side. Jennie and her mother remained with her, as there seemed to be no way of removing Mrs. McClelland and her baby to a place of safety when the coming of the two armies disturbed the quiet of the quaint old Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Amid the clash of arms, when the boom of cannon shook the rock-rimmed hills and echoed among the mountains, and the shock of battle sent a throb of agony along the lines of two armies, they were there in the midst of it all. Mrs. McClelland lay there helpless amid its thunders, while Jennie made bread for the soldiers who crawled to the door begging for something to eat.
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Genres
- Historical Nonfiction — The work recounts the documented Civil War-era death of Gettysburg civilian Jennie Wade during the Battle of Gettysburg.
- Civil War History — Its setting, central conflict, and significance are inseparable from the American Civil War and the fighting at Gettysburg.
- Biographical Sketch — The narrative focuses on a single historical individual, portraying Jennie Wade's actions, death, burial, and posthumous reputation.
- War Literature — Battle violence, civilian peril, soldiers' hunger, sacrifice, death, and the immediate consequences of combat dominate the narrative.
Tags
American Civil War · Battle of Gettysburg · Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · July 1863 · war tragedy · civilian experience of war · women on the home front · female heroism · Jennie Wade · mother-daughter devotion · care for mothers and infants · newborn child
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The Sad Fate of Jennie Wade is listed on Textopian as a historical account by Annie Wittenmyer, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Historical account
- Author: Annie Wittenmyer
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Nonfiction, Civil War History, Biographical Sketch, War Literature, Historical Narrative
- Length: 543 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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