The Shrivers' Story: Eyewitnesses to the Battle of Gettysburg

by Nancie W. Gudmestad

More than three million Americans fought in the Civil War. Each of those soldiers, north and south, has a story. The Shrivers’ Story: Eyewitnesses to the Battle of Gettysburg is the true story of one family who happened to call Gettysburg ‘home’ in 1863. The story of George and Hettie Shriver, although certainly fascinating and unique in its own way, is more typical of the average Gettysburg citizen’s, and by extension, provides a fuller picture of the overall civilian experience itself before, during and after the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Shrivers’ were a young family with hopes and dreams common to most young families then and now. They dreamed of peace and prosperity, of a safe place in which to raise their family, and for success in their economic endeavors. But the Shrivers’ expectations were abruptly interrupted by the coming of the Civil War and by one of the most significant battles of that war. Afterwards, the world as they knew it would never be quite the same. The Shrivers’ Story is the story of a house and a home, of family and friends, of expectant dreams and intruding realities, of citizens in a time of peace and civilians in a time of war. The dramatic and moving story of George and Hettie Shriver and their daughters, Sadie (7) and Mollie (5), describes their experiences during the Civil War, and more specifically, the Battle of Gettysburg. In addition the book details the trials and tribulations encountered during the restoration of the Shrivers’ home, which had been abandoned for nearly thirty years, before opening as the Shriver House Museum.

105 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancie and Del Gudmestad opened the first B&B in Gettysburg in 1984. Their guests would talk about the Battle of Gettysburg but nothing about the people who lived in the town during the battle. The couple compiled stories of local families and their experiences during the war. They found a brick house that the owner did not want to sell but convinced him to sell it to them. They decided to restore the house to Civil War Era. The Shriver House Museum is the result of the restoration. This book tells the story of the family that lived in the house during the Civil War. The story of the war is told from the civilians' viewpoint. I have visited the town many times, but thanks to Benedict's Bus Company's mystery tours, I had the opportunity to visit the house. My copy was purchased at the musuem's store.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book, The Shrivers’ Story : Eyewitnesses to the Battle of Gettysburg, after visiting the Shriver House and taking the tour. Lots of the pieces of the book were highlighted in the tour. It is definitely a great complementary companion to the visit and tour. Standing in the attic looking at the place that the confederate sharp shooters were stationed and being pointed out the spots of blood that was identified as tgeir blood was a very vivd image of what happened in the Shriver House. The book did a great job of going into a little more detail than the tour. However, the ten-pen alley in the basement details weren’t as detailed as the tour. The book did however go into much more Shriver Family history than the tour. After the tour, I was not aware that George W. Shriver was captured by the rebels and taken to Andersonville where he eventually died. The book was interwoven with pictures and other books written about other civilians that survived the Battle of Gettysburg. It seemed at times a compilation of other books that told a more detailed story of the war from the perspective of a civilian. If you’re trying to determine which Gettysburg book to get from the perspective of the town residence, then this is the one to get.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

#5 in my bookclub AROUND THE YEAR IN 52 BOOKS (a book about or inspired by a real event) was “The Shrivers' Story: Eyewitnesses to the Battle of Gettysburg” by Nancie W. Gudmestad. Few books have been written about the 2,400 citizens who found themselves embroiled In one of the deadliest and most historic battles ever fought on American soil. The Shriver’s story is the true story of one family who called Gettysburg “home” in 1863. It depicts how not only this battle but the Civil War itself dramatically changed the Shrivers’ lives forever. The story of George and Hettie Shriver is typical of the average Gettysburg civilian’s, and by extension, provides a fuller picture of the overall civilian experience itself. This book meant more to me because we have actually visited the Shriver house a couple of times when we were in Gettysburg as part of Washington D.C. vacations. Poignant, tender, powerful…

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice "amateur" history book. It nicely balances the story of the Shriver family, their home, and the civilian experience of the Battle of Gettysburg.

[Annette Varcoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good local history about the battle of Gettysburg, a specific family, and then the home they owned in Gettysburg.

[Larry B Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent true story of a witness to the Battle of Gettysburg. It is told from the view point.of a family who lived in Gettysburg. I really enjoyed this book and l highly recommend it.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading all of the details regarding the civilian experience during the battle. There was so much information and an easy read!

[Lorilie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy, but informal and personal take on the Battle of Gettysburg. I would highly recommend this short story to well-read historians and those with a small fascination :)