Warden, B.J.

B. J. Warden’s Gettysburg Experience
S1361
July 1-4, 1864
1 folder

Manuscript & Rare Books Division
Indiana State Library

Finding Aid by: Nikki Stoddard Schofield, October 2011

Biographical Note:

Currently, there is no information about B.J. Warden.  

Scope and Content Note:

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.

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item.  Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.

Item Listing:

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.”  

Collection Information

Size of Collection: 1 folder, 4 page letter
Collection Dates: July 1 – 4, 1863
Provenance: Donated by the Hoosier Book Shop on March 14, 1939.
Access : The collection is open for research use
Restrictions: None.
Reproduction Rights: Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.
Language: Materials are entirely in English.
Alternate Formats: None
Related Holdings: 
Notes: