During the Civil War, citizens were usually unscathed if they were able
to stay out of harm's way. However, on July 3, 1863, Mary Virginia
"Jennie" Wade was kneading dough for biscuits in her sister's home on
Baltimore Street when she was killed instantly--by a bullet passing
through two wooden doors that struck her heart. In that moment, Jennie
Wade became the only Gettysburg civilian to be killed outright during
the battle. That is usually all visitors hear about this "Gettysburg
Maid."
For the first time, author Cindy Small presents a complete narrative of
Jennie Wade, her life, her family, and her untimely death on that
fateful July day. Illustrated with period photos, detailed research
includes other injured civilians, the relationship between Jennie and
Jack Skelly, rumors of Jennie's reputation, the possible origin of the
fatal shot, and details of Jennie's first coffin and three burials. Here
is Jennie Wade's whole story.