On March 21, 2026, five ladies of the 62nd PVI LHF, left to right including Cindy McShane, Anna Wolfe, Katie Wolfe, Kara Wolfe and Adalynn Ciprich, presented at the Carnegie Library in Carnegie, PA on The Influence of Women: How Women Worked, Served, Sacrificed and Overcame in the American Civil War for the Second Saturday Civil War Series hosted by the Carnegie Library. It was an honor for our ladies to speak at this event, especially with the Captain Thomas Espy GAR Post 153 just upstairs. Captain Espy was a member of the 62nd PVI who lost his life at Gaines’ Mill in 1862, and so this location has always held special significance for the members of our living history family.

Katie Wolfe put the program together with the assistance of the other ladies and they all took turns sharing personal stories about the influence of women. Cindy McShane spoke of the fearless vivandiere French Mary, whom she portrays as a first-person living historian. The audience was intrigued and inspired by the story of this amazing woman, who was way ahead of her time. Katie Wolfe shared various stories of women who disguised themselves to serve as soldiers, women who served as spies, as well as doctors and nurses. Adalynn shared the incredible story of Louisa May Alcott’s time as a Civil War nurse and the effect she had on her patients, who appreciated the care and attention she gave them, especially in their last moments. Kara, Anna, and Adalynn also shared stories of young ladies who lived through the battle of Gettysburg including Tillie Pierce, Lydia Ziegler and Anna Garlach. These stories resonated with the audience, as they heard them brought to life by the young ladies of the 62nd PVI LHF.

Katie also shared the heartbreaking story of the Lowry brothers from Company C of the 62nd PVI, both of whom lost their lives in the war, and their Mother’s grief, told through the words of Mother Lowry’s own diary. The sacrifice of so many Mothers was reflected in her words, real and raw, as she tried to understand why both of her sons were taken from her…

To end the program on a slightly more inspiring note, no pun intended, the audience enjoyed listening to two songs from the Civil War era that reflected the feelings of the soldiers and the loved ones they left behind, including Just Before The Battle Mother and The Girl I Left Behind Me. These songs provided a glimpse into the soldiers’ thoughts on home, family, duty, courage and honor. Altogether it was a very memorable day, and a wonderful time of sharing history with our ‘family’, to keep the stories alive.