Present for the opening of Camp General George G. Meade in Gettysburg, the Pennsylvania National Guard encamped on the former battlefield on July 12-15, 1902.  The military has a long-standing tradition since the late 1800s to use the battlefield for training and instructional purposes.  The first large scale training took place in 1884 with the Pennsylvania National Guardsmen partaking in a 7-day battlefield encampment.  This tradition would continue into 1902 with once again, the guardsmen training on the battlefield bringing nearly 9500 soldiers for the endeavor.

This ribbon was a commemorative souvenir from the1902 event with Mary Virginia “Jennie” Wade as the centerpiece- the only civilian killed in the three days battle.  The ribbon is fixed on its original 7 ¾” x 4” card stock with “NATIONAL GUARD OF PENNSYLVANIA/ CAMP 1902/JENNIE WADE/ KILLED AT GETTYSBURG, PA./ JULY 2, 1863” across the bottom.  A celluloid pin of Jennie Wade fastens three red, white, and blue ribbons.  The ribbons are in good condition but the white ribbon has signs of discoloration due to age.  The ends of the ribbons are glued down to the card stock, with original glue.  The celluloid pin is inlaid in gold metallic ribbon.  The outer circle of the pin reads “CAMP N.G.P GETTYSBURG.1902/ JENNIE WADE KILLED AT GETTYSBURG.”

On reverse the ribbon retains the original tape that secures the pin backing to the cardstock.

This is in great condition for a 120-year-old piece, and would be a unique item to those looking for pieces pertaining to Jennie Wade or Pennsylvania military history.  [mk] [ph:L]

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