In 1863, J. Howard Wert was a recent college graduate when the armies of the North and South converged near his family's homestead three miles outside of Gettysburg. A militia member and anti-slavery supporter, Wert acted as a guide for Union General George Meade, helping position federal troops in the fields and hills around town. Perhaps more importantly, he collected and labeled artifacts from the battle, including a still-hot Confederate shell that almost hit him near Little Round Top. After the war, Wert resumed gathering relics of the three-day battle, many given to him by veterans of both sides, including weapons, clothing, letters, furniture, and even items related to Lincoln's Address. This book shows this private collection through more than 120 color pictures and text about both the items and Wert's life. It includes material about Gettysburg College, then called Pennsylvania College.

Introduction -- Captured -- Wert family -- Gettysburg abolitionists -- J. Howard Wert's Battle of Gettysburg -- Gettysburg's aftermath -- Wert family collection -- After the Civil War -- Rarities of Gettysburg -- Appendix A: J. Howard Wert's poetry -- Appendix B: Pattial list of books by J. Howard Wert.