Image source: Library of Congress
Overview: Elizabeth Thorn was the caretaker of Evergreen Cemetery in Gettysburg and, while six months pregnant, helped bury more than 100 soldiers in the battle’s aftermath.
Before Gettysburg: Thorn and her husband managed the cemetery grounds; with her husband away in the army during the battle, she was left to manage the property alone.
Role at Gettysburg: In the days and weeks after the fighting, Thorn dug graves and helped bury dead soldiers, largely by herself, while also caring for her children and elderly parents.
After Gettysburg: Thorn continued living in Gettysburg for years afterward; a statue honoring her stands in Evergreen Cemetery today.
Why This Story Matters: Thorn’s story illustrates the enormous, often overlooked burden civilians carried in caring for the dead after the battle ended.