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We Were There At The Battle Of Gettysburg
Expert-approved, illustrated novel unfolds in a small Pennsylvania town, where Confederate and Union troops converge for a decisive confrontation. A dramatic series of adventures features cameos by Lee, Lincoln, and other historical figures.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 24, 2026
I am so impressed with this series!
This one is about the Battle of Gettysburg, seen through the eyes of a young boy. One can tell from the writing how impeccably the subject was researched. Even more remarkable was the author’s ability to weave all that information into a fascinating story for middle-grade and young adult readers!
This one is about the Battle of Gettysburg, seen through the eyes of a young boy. One can tell from the writing how impeccably the subject was researched. Even more remarkable was the author’s ability to weave all that information into a fascinating story for middle-grade and young adult readers!
November 13, 2017
Even though this story was written for younger readers, I still enjoyed it. It was an easy read, but well done. One thing I really appreciated about this book was that they didn't portray one side to be the "good guys" and the other "bad guys." The author did a great job of showing both sides of the Civil War and sharing good on both sides.
I would recommend this book to anyone (especially children) who are learning about the Civil War.
I would recommend this book to anyone (especially children) who are learning about the Civil War.
September 22, 2014
It is the summer of 1863, during the American Civil War. Thirteen year old Jonathan Blayne and his twelve year old younger sister Mary Lee are orphans. Their father had been killed in the Texas border fighting, and their Virginia-born mother died of grief shortly afterwards, so they are living with their Grandpa and Grandma Blayne on their farm less than half a mile from Gettysburg, PA, just north of the Chambersburg Turnpike. Something is going on in the area. General Jubal Early’s Confederate soldiers have gone right through town on their way to Harrisburg. Rumors abound that more Southern troops are headed towards Gettysburg and several Northern armies under General John Buford are doing likewise. A large number of people are leaving town, but not the Blaynes. They are not afraid of fighting. Grandpa, now eighty, had fought in the War of 1812, both in Canada and at New Orleans. His father had fought in the American Revolution.
Just before the battle starts, Johnny is asked to take a wagon load of supplies to the Union camp, but then the fighting starts, and on his way back home he is captured by the Rebs. He escapes, but is then mistaken for a drummer boy and goes with a unit of Northerner troops into the battle. Of course, anyone who has read history knows what happened at Gettysburg, but what will happen to Johnny? Will he survive, or will he be killed? And what will happen to Grandpa, Grandma, and Mary Lee? This is the kind of exciting, well-written historical fiction that makes (or used to make) history really come alive for kids. General Robert E. Lee, President Abraham Lincoln, and other historical figures appear. It is too bad that publishers don’t seem to produce action-packed, accurate stories like this anymore. A few common euphemisms (blamed, danged) occur, and one Southern soldier uses the term “Damyanks” but immediately apologizes to Grandma. Aside from a couple of references to tobacco, there is nothing else objectionable.
Be aware that this is a book about war, so there are descriptions of killing and death, but they are stated in matter of fact manner without going into any gory and gruesome detail, so that the violence depicted is not gratuitous. While the Blaynes are obviously supporters of the Union, the book is even-handed in presenting both sides of the conflict. Grandpa Blayne tells the children, “The Southern army that fought here was as brave as the world has ever seen. And some of the finest gentlemen, whose like the world shall not see again, fell here.” The “We Were There” books are a series of historical novels written for children, consisting of 36 titles, and released between 1955 and 1963. The first one was We Were There on the Oregon Trail by William O. Steele (1955). The second was We Were There at the Battle of Gettysburg. It was followed by We Were There at the Boston Tea Party by Robert N. Webb (1956). The last of the series was We Were There with Lincoln in the White House by Earl Schenck Miers (1963).
Just before the battle starts, Johnny is asked to take a wagon load of supplies to the Union camp, but then the fighting starts, and on his way back home he is captured by the Rebs. He escapes, but is then mistaken for a drummer boy and goes with a unit of Northerner troops into the battle. Of course, anyone who has read history knows what happened at Gettysburg, but what will happen to Johnny? Will he survive, or will he be killed? And what will happen to Grandpa, Grandma, and Mary Lee? This is the kind of exciting, well-written historical fiction that makes (or used to make) history really come alive for kids. General Robert E. Lee, President Abraham Lincoln, and other historical figures appear. It is too bad that publishers don’t seem to produce action-packed, accurate stories like this anymore. A few common euphemisms (blamed, danged) occur, and one Southern soldier uses the term “Damyanks” but immediately apologizes to Grandma. Aside from a couple of references to tobacco, there is nothing else objectionable.
Be aware that this is a book about war, so there are descriptions of killing and death, but they are stated in matter of fact manner without going into any gory and gruesome detail, so that the violence depicted is not gratuitous. While the Blaynes are obviously supporters of the Union, the book is even-handed in presenting both sides of the conflict. Grandpa Blayne tells the children, “The Southern army that fought here was as brave as the world has ever seen. And some of the finest gentlemen, whose like the world shall not see again, fell here.” The “We Were There” books are a series of historical novels written for children, consisting of 36 titles, and released between 1955 and 1963. The first one was We Were There on the Oregon Trail by William O. Steele (1955). The second was We Were There at the Battle of Gettysburg. It was followed by We Were There at the Boston Tea Party by Robert N. Webb (1956). The last of the series was We Were There with Lincoln in the White House by Earl Schenck Miers (1963).
March 18, 2014
This is another "We Were There Book" that I really enjoyed. This book brough to life the horrors of battle, but gentle enough for young adult readers. What I found amazing his how life continued on while battles occurred and how battles stopped at sun down and began at sun rise. Soldiers came to homes and women cooked meals and handed food out the doors of their homes. The book just brings to life how the Civil War was fought, in a day to day manner.
December 27, 2025
4 stars.
Not a perfect book, but a nostalgia read for me. This story is great for young people trying to understand and learn about the Battle of Gettysburg, and how locals might have felt about or experienced it.
It’s dated, but is a generally good and accurate retelling while retaining a very human-first focus.
That said, my dad has owned this book since the 50s and was a very digestible first intro to him then and then again to me in the 90s, so it clearly holds up fairly well.
Not a perfect book, but a nostalgia read for me. This story is great for young people trying to understand and learn about the Battle of Gettysburg, and how locals might have felt about or experienced it.
It’s dated, but is a generally good and accurate retelling while retaining a very human-first focus.
That said, my dad has owned this book since the 50s and was a very digestible first intro to him then and then again to me in the 90s, so it clearly holds up fairly well.
April 13, 2015
I read every single one of these as a child, time and time again; as an adult I have sought them out as treasured mementoes of my childhood. These books, the adventures and places they took me and the history I learned from them; they WERE my childhood!
They can be hard to find, but THANK GOD publishers are beginning to re-publish many editions from the series and believe you me I am buying them in book form AND on my Kindle.
If you have children or nieces and nephews, BY every book in this series and give the gift of adventure, education and appreciation of literature!
They can be hard to find, but THANK GOD publishers are beginning to re-publish many editions from the series and believe you me I am buying them in book form AND on my Kindle.
If you have children or nieces and nephews, BY every book in this series and give the gift of adventure, education and appreciation of literature!
July 23, 2015
The story: A boy named Johnny lives with his grandfather, a farmer, near Gettysburg. When the Civil War battle begins, Johnny goes to help the Union. The reader travels through the battle through the adventures of Johnny and his grandfather.
What I liked: I could see what it would have been like on a Civil War battlefield. I learned about Pickett's Charge and Civil War nurses. I learned a lot of things about the battle and the Civil War.
What I did not like: I liked it all. I can't think of anything that disappointed me.
What I liked: I could see what it would have been like on a Civil War battlefield. I learned about Pickett's Charge and Civil War nurses. I learned a lot of things about the battle and the Civil War.
What I did not like: I liked it all. I can't think of anything that disappointed me.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews