Time Travel, Life Choices: Gettysburg Words
Blame no one. Expect nothing. Do something.
Not so long ago, actually. At the time of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and of the reunion of Confederate and Union veterans, July 1-4, 1938, nearly 8,000 participants in the Civil War were still living. Of these, 1,845 attended the reunion. Union and Confederate veterans are here shown clasping hands across the stone wall at the Angle where they once fought to the bitter end.
For anyone who has not made a trek to the land where the battle of Gettysburg happened over a three-day period in July 1863, consider a visit in any season to walk and ponder what took place there. On Nov. 19 of that year, President Abraham Lincoln spoke the short- and-to-the-point words now immortal to dedicate The Soldiers' National Cemetery, today known as the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Visitors may walk the acres where an estimated 51,000 soldiers from both armies gave their lives. The cemetery is the final resting place for more than 3,500 Union soldiers killed in the battle. The 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg National Military Park on Nov. 19, 2013 will be broadcast live to more than 70,000 colleges and universities, K-12 schools, public libraries, and museums.
There are five known copies of the speech in Lincoln's handwriting of the words spoken at the dedication, and are named as follows: Nicolay, Hay, Everett, Bancroft and Bliss. The following is the “Bliss” version, named after Colonel Alexander Bliss, who asked President Lincoln for a copy to use as a fundraiser for soldiers.
(To explore an interactive version, which features audio, follow this link to the Smithsonian.)
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
– Abraham Lincoln (the original is signed)
November 19, 1863
Abraham Lincoln (center) photographed after delivering the Gettysburg Address. LOC image.
Miles of paved roads now wend through acres of the battlefield – whether you ride or walk, a visit is an unforgettable way to learn about the scope of the battle. For tips on how to plan for that journey, see this NPS link. Equines and canines accompanied men along the way and into the fight – part of the stories that can be heard at Gettysburg. Don't miss it.
An estimated 72,000 horses and mules were also at Gettysburg – under saddle, hauling cannon, caissons, and supply wagons.