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The children of the 19th century were no different than today's kids. They looked forward to summer, the end of the school year, playing with their friends, and enjoying the pleasant weather. However, it wasn't all fun; most still had their daily chores to do, just as they did during the rest of the year. For some, they even had more to do, because living in Gettysburg meant that there was a good ... More

The children of the 19th century were no different than today's kids. They looked forward to summer, the end of the school year, playing with their friends, and enjoying the pleasant weather. However, it wasn't all fun; most still had their daily chores to do, just as they did during the rest of the year. For some, they even had more to do, because living in Gettysburg meant that there was a good chance they were from a family which had either a farm or an orchard. In 1863, America's Civil War between the Northern and Southern states was in its third year. Most of the fighting was taking place in the south, so Gettysburg and its 2400 residents were spared the devastation which came along with the battles. They were truly aware of the ongoing war. Many fathers, sons, and brothers answered the call when President Abraham Lincoln asked the Northern states, as he did of Pennsylvania, to support the Union cause. For the children of Gettysburg, the summer of 1863 would not be their normal summer. Since the war began, there were always rumors that "the Confederates were coming!" Now it was no longer a rumor, they were actually coming. Young Willie and his sister Marie couldn't really understand the war and thought that these arriving strangers would bring some excitement to their quiet little town. For others, such as Jennie Wade and Tillie Pierce, they could do without it. Johhny Ryerson, a young boy from Virginia would be forced to look at the war from the other side. He too would like to enjoy a "summer of fun," but that was something he had never experienced. Now due to a series of unusual circumstances, it looked unlikely that he ever would. There is one thing that these children and others have in common, it would indeed be their "Unforgettable Summer."

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