Category: Jennie Wade
The Strength and Bravery of Georgia Wade McClellan, Witness to the Battle of Gettysburg
March 13, 2025Georgia Wade was born July 4th, 1841, the daughter of James and Mary Wade. The oldest of six children Georgia would go to school and help earn money sewing in her fathers tailoring shop. On April 15th,1862 Georgia would marry John Louis McClellan. The couple would rent the northern side of a duplex on Baltimore Street just a few hundred yards from the Evergreen Cemetery. John Louis McClellan would volunteer to serve in the 165th Pennsylvania Volunteer infantry in 1863 (9-month Regiment). Before John would leave for the army Georgia would become pregnant with the couples first child. That child Louis Kenneth McClellan would be born on June 26th, 1863, just 5 short days before the battle of Gettysburg.
The Ghosts of Gettysburg
October 12, 2023October is here, bringing with it earlier sunsets and fresh spookiness, lingering whispers in shadowy nooks, and the unseen rustling of fallen leaves. Whether or not you believe in such things, Gettysburg is world-renowned among aficionados of the supernatural as a potent center for paranormal activity. No matter if you are deeply passionate about Civil War history, are interested in supernatural investigation, are a fan of ghost hunting— or even if you’re just looking for a good old-fashioned scare to celebrate the Halloween season, the ghosts of Gettysburg certainly offer a chilling invitation!
Read on to uncover more about the restless spirits that reputedly haunt this historic town and battlefield, and some of the legends that surround them.
Haunted Gettysburg
October 14, 2022Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is known throughout the world as the location of one of the largest, most expensive, and deadliest battles of the American Civil War. With over 50,000 estimated casualties, the famous Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 is widely believed to mark the turning point of the war. Over 160 years have passed since those three bloody days at Gettysburg, but some believe the nightmare of that battle never ended for some of the poor souls killed there. Across the hallowed grounds of the battlefield and throughout the town and environs, it is believed by some that the haunted souls of those who suffered there may still roam.
Gettysburg By Night: Experiencing the Town After Sunset
September 1, 2022Gettysburg is a well-known historical destination for travelers and tourists from all over the world. And there are certainly a great many things to see and experience in Gettysburg during the day, but that doesn’t mean that the town stops being a first-class destination when the sun sets! There’s plenty to do in this Gettysburg by night! Below are just some of the many great activities available to visitors after dark.
Jennie Wade: A Tragic Civil War Love Story
January 26, 2022Romeo and Juliet may be the most notable star-crossed lovers, but Pennsylvania’s Jack Skelly and Jennie Wade have a love story that may be just as tragic.
Jennie Wade was the only civilian casualty during the Battle of Gettysburg. She died on July 3, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, with a picture of her love, Corporal Johnston “Jack” Hastings Skelly, nestled in her pocket.
He would never learn of her death, as he died of wounds sustained at the Second Battle of Winchester in Virginia on July 12, 1863. Read further to learn more about this tragic Civil War love story.
A Civil War Christmas: The Only Civilian Death of the Gettysburg Battle
November 20, 2020
Jennie (Mary Virginia) Wade, a seamstress living in Gettysburg during the mid-19th century, pines for the love of her life, Johnston (Jack) Skelley, an Army soldier of 87th Pennsylvania. He is in Virginia fighting for the Union.
In July of 1863, the Confederate Army, led by Gen. Robert E. Lee of Northern Virginia, launches the Gettysburg Campaign, and the rages of war envelope the town. Civilians are caught between the battlefronts and forced inside to seek shelter in their basements.
Lesser-Known Gettysburg-Goers: Mary Wade
January 16, 2020
Some Gettysburg folks get all the fame; don’t you agree? Today, we want to touch on a couple of “background” characters who actually played a crucial role in the history of Gettysburg – specifically, the only civilian death in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Mama, Didn’t Mean to Make you Cry
Jennie Wade is famous, all right – but for all the wrong reasons. Jennie was 20 years old during the Battle of Gettysburg. She was busy baking bread for the soldiers fighting outside her door when a stray bullet found its way into the home, striking Jennie in the back and killing her instantly.
Leon Reed will be doing a book signing of “Stories The Monuments Tell”
May 6, 2019Leon Reed, author of “Stories the Monuments Tell”, will be doing a book signing on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 (11 AM – 1 PM). Stop by The Jennie Wade House, 548 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 and check it out.
Who is Jennie Wade?
May 28, 2014Born Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade, Jennie Wade worked as a seamstress with her mother during the Civil War era. Because of the pending war, Jennie, along with her brother and neighbor boy left their home on Breckenridge Street to go to her sisters as she felt it would be safer, and her mother was already there helping with her sister Georgia’s newborn.
Unfortunately this turned out to be a horrible mistake, as the Confederate forces moved into Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. Jennie’s family helped the Union soldiers by providing bread and water, and on a fateful July 3rd morning Jennie had just begun kneading a new batch of dough when she was hit by a Confederate soldier’s bullet which had pierced the house. The round traveled through Jennie’s shoulder and heart, and came to rest in her corset.
At just 20 years old, Jennie Wade became the only civilian casualty killed during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Learn more about Jennie Wade and the Jennie Wade House via the button at the top of the page, or in our “Quick Links” section to the left.
The Full Package
February 19, 2012Our Packages are changing for the 2012 season:
The Value Plan will consist of choice of Bus Tour and 3 tickets for 3 museums out of the following 8 locations:
1.Hall of Presidents & First Ladies
2.Soldiers National Museum
3.The Jennie Wade House Museum
4.The Lincoln Train Museum
5.The Gettysburg Battle Theatre
6.The Gettysburg Diorama
7.The American Civil War Museum
8.David Wills House
Cost: Adults $42.00 Children (ages 6-12) $24.50. 5-7 hours to complete.
The Package Plan will consist of choice of Bus Tour and 5 tickets for 5 museums out of the following 8 locations:
1.Hall of Presidents & First Ladies
2.Soldiers National Museum
3.The Jennie Wade House Museum
4.The Lincoln Train Museum
5.The Gettysburg Battle Theatre
6.The Gettysburg Diorama
7.The American Civil War Museum
8.David Wills House
Cost: Adults $53.00 Children (ages 6-12) $30.00. 7-9 hours to complete.
Tickets in the Value Plan/Package Plan can be used throughout your stay, they do not need to be used all in one day.
Learn more!