Babies named for the Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a Civil War battle fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Were any babies named after the battle?

Yes, several.

In fact, the earliest two I know of represent the two sides of the conflict — north & south.

First, there’s Anne Gettysburg Veazey, born on July 7, 1863, in Vermont. She was the daughter of Col. Wheelock G. Veazey, who led the 16th Vermont Infantry at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Colonel Veazey’s return to his beloved Julia must have been especially joyous, since their first child, a daughter, had been born just four days after the guns fell silent at Gettysburg. They christened the little girl Anne Gettysburg Veazey.

Second, there’s Gettysburg Lee McCarter, born on July 19, 1863, in South Carolina. She went by the nickname Gettie (similar to the way Emancipation Proclamation went by the nickname Prockie). Gettie’s gravestone is below.

I’ve also found records for about 8 other babies named Gettysburg, including a female born into the Battle family of Alabama in 1878 and named “Gettysburg Battle.”

Source: Coffin, Howard. Nine Months to Gettysburg. Woodstock, VT: The Countryman Press, 1997.
Image: Gettie McCarter Cook by Chris Smith