Existing comment:
Gettysburg July 1863
Faces of the Young
"in our youth our hearts were touched with fire"
Humiston Children: This was the picture that Amos Humiston, 154th New York Infantry, clutched to his chest as he lay dying north of town on July 1. Frank, Alice, and Frederick Humiston would soon represent the plight of orphans across the nation.
Albertus McCreary: Fifteen-year-old Albertus was a typical Gettysburg boy; he even had a Union soldier's hat. Because of that, Confederate soldiers almost took him prisoner, until his father pleaded for his release, claiming that he was "only a school boy."
Tillie Pierce: Gettysburg resident Tillie Pierce was 15 years old at the time of the battle. She fled her home in town to get away from the dangers of battle, only to end up working as a nurse and caring for wounded and dying soldiers outside of town at the Jacob Welkert farm.
Leander Warren: Unprecedented destruction was one of the effects of the battle. Young Gettysburg resident Leander Warren (pictured later in life) volunteered to assist in the cleanup process. Every day for weeks, Leander transported the coffins of dead Union soldiers in his wagon to the National Cemetery for burial.
Tad Lincoln: (Seated Right) Tad was the youngest son of President Abraham Lincoln. In November 1863, Tad became gravely ill. Though wishing to stay at home and help care for his son, President Lincoln traveled here to Gettysburg to deliver a "few appropriate remarks" at the dedication ceremony of a national cemetery.
Sumner Paine: Sumner's family was very patriotic and dedicated to the preservation of the United States; his great grandfather had even signed the Declaration of Independence. Sumner died at the age of 18 on July 3 as he and the 20th Massachusetts defended Cemetery Ridge during Pickett's Charge. |