in
ascertaining the particulars of their history, and in some cases they
failed to maintain that unsullied reputation without which courage and
daring are of little worth.

THE WOMEN OF GETTYSBURG.

Those who have read Miss Georgiana Woolsey's charming narrative "Three
Weeks at Gettysburg," in this volume, will have formed a higher estimate
of the women of Gettysburg than of the men. There were some exceptions
among the latter, some brave earnest-hearted men, though the farmers of
the vicinity were in general both cowardly and covetous; but the women
of the village have won for themselves a high and honorable record, for
their faithfulness to the flag, their generosity and their devotion to
the wounded.

Chief among these, since she gave her life for the cause, we must reckon
MRS. JENNIE WADE. Her house was situated in the valley between Oak Ridge
and Seminary Hill, and was directly in range of the guns of both armies.
But Mrs. Wade was intensely patriotic and loyal, and on the morning of
the third day of the battle, that terrible Friday, July 3, she
volunteered to bake bread for the Union troops. The morning passed
without more than an occasional shot, and though in the midst of danger,
she toiled over her bread, and had succeeded in baking a large quantity.
About two o'clock, P. M., began that fearful artillery battle which
seemed to the dwellers in that hitherto peaceful valley to shake both
earth and heaven. Louder and more deafening crashed the thunder from two
hundred and fifty cannon, but as each discharge shook her humble
dwelling, she still toiled on unterrified and only intent on her
patriotic task. The rebels, who were nearest her had repeatedly ordered
her to quit the premises, but she steadily refused. At length a shot
from the rebel batteries struck her in the breast killing her instantly.
A rebel officer of high rank was killed almost at the same moment near
her door, and the rebel troops hastily constructing a rude coffin, were
about to place the body of their commander in it for burial, when, in
the swaying to and fro of the armies, a Union column drove them from the
ground, and finding Mrs. Wade dead, placed her in the coffin intended
for the rebel officer. In that coffin she was buried the next day amidst
the tears of hundreds who knew her courage and kindness of heart.

MISS CARRIE SHEADS, the principal of Oak Ridge Female Seminary, is also
deserving of a place in our record for her coura