B. J. Warden Battle of Gettysburg personal narrative
Collection — Folder: S1361
Identifier: S1361
Scope and Contents
The collection contains one document on three full sheets and one half sheet of green paper detailing B. J. Warden’s experience at the Battle of Gettysburg during the U.S. Civil War, July 1-4, 1863.
July 1, 1863 B. J. Warden was in the 4th Brigade under John R. Brook, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. The men came from Centerville across the Potomac River. He was not in the first day’s fighting, on July 1, because they stopped for muster so payrolls could be made out. They arrived in Gettysburg that evening. July 2, 1863 They were drawn up in line, and heard a heart-felt patriotic speech by their officer, J. R. Brook, who said: “Boys, remember, the enemy has invaded our own soil. The eyes of the whole world is upon us! And we are expected to stand up bravely to defend our homeland!! To our duty!!” They were assigned to the left and took position in the wheatfield. Heavy fighting did not begin much before noon. They fought back and forth over the wheatfield until evening. “The Rebs got slightly better than us.” That evening, Brook ordered B. J. to ride out and round up stranglers, telling them where to find the troupes. July 3, 1863 There was a little firing in the morning, preliminary to the heavy, final battle beginning at 1 p.m. The Confederates, led by (General James) Longstreet, came to the top of the ridge and charged down. Most of the Rebels in that “bloody charge” were killed or captured. They fell back to the Potomac River. July 4, 1863 They moved to the left and brought in 2,000 Confederate stranglers with a few pieces of old artillery. Then, they pursued the fleeing Rebel army. Last Page, Undated Last page: Abraham Lincoln’s prayer before the Battle of Gettysburg as told to General (Daniel) Sickles after the battle, explaining why the President had been so sure of victory. On his knees, Abraham told the Lord “that if he would stand by us, I would stand by him and he did, and I will. From that hour I had no fear about Gettysburg.”
July 1, 1863 B. J. Warden was in the 4th Brigade under John R. Brook, 1st Division, 2nd Corps. The men came from Centerville across the Potomac River. He was not in the first day’s fighting, on July 1, because they stopped for muster so payrolls could be made out. They arrived in Gettysburg that evening. July 2, 1863 They were drawn up in line, and heard a heart-felt patriotic speech by their officer, J. R. Brook, who said: “Boys, remember, the enemy has invaded our own soil. The eyes of the whole world is upon us! And we are expected to stand up bravely to defend our homeland!! To our duty!!” They were assigned to the left and took position in the wheatfield. Heavy fighting did not begin much before noon. They fought back and forth over the wheatfield until evening. “The Rebs got slightly better than us.” That evening, Brook ordered B. J. to ride out and round up stranglers, telling them where to find the troupes. July 3, 1863 There was a little firing in the morning, preliminary to the heavy, final battle beginning at 1 p.m. The Confederates, led by (General James) Longstreet, came to the top of the ridge and charged down. Most of the Rebels in that “bloody charge” were killed or captured. They fell back to the Potomac River. July 4, 1863 They moved to the left and brought in 2,000 Confederate stranglers with a few pieces of old artillery. Then, they pursued the fleeing Rebel army. Last Page, Undated Last page: Abraham Lincoln’s prayer before the Battle of Gettysburg as told to General (Daniel) Sickles after the battle, explaining why the President had been so sure of victory. On his knees, Abraham told the Lord “that if he would stand by us, I would stand by him and he did, and I will. From that hour I had no fear about Gettysburg.”
Dates
- 1863/07/01-1863/07/04
Creator
- Warden, B. J. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
B.J. Warden served with 4th Brigade under John R. Brook, 1st Division, 2nd Corps of the Union army and fought at Gettysburg during the U.S. Civil War.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation by the Hoosier Book Shop on 1939/03/14.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2011/10 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid created 2018/05/30 by Lauren Patton. EAD finding aid revised 2018/06/21 by Brittany Kropf.
- Battles
- Gettysburg (Pa.)
- Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863
- Military life
- Personal narratives
- Reminiscing
- Soldiers
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military life
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
- United States. Army
Creator
- Warden, B. J. (Person)
- Title
- B. J. Warden Battle of Gettysburg personal narrative
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
