Shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin visited the area and was astounded at the damage done to property and life. Shallow graves in the fields surrounding the town revealed decaying human limbs and faces after rains had washed the meager layer of soil over them away. Their air was thick with swarms of flies and the stench of rot. Curtin described it as "the devil's own planting... a harvest of death."

Many, many more people were just as appalled as Governor Curtin was. And, so, a handful of local leaders approached the governor with a proposal to establish a cemetery to properly bury the Union dead of the Battle of Gettysburg. Curtin not only agreed with this proposal, but he also secured State funds for the establishment and reinternment of roughly 3600 bodies. David Wills, a local attorney, was appointed the agent of the state to secure the land, which was a 17 acre plot adjacent to the already establish private Evergreen Cemetery atop Cemetery Hill. Architect William Saunders was hired to design the layout of the new cemetery. Soon, the governors of other Northern States, such as New York, Ohio, Connecticut, Indiana and Massachusetts pledged support and sent agents to assist and oversee the burial of their states' loyal sons. 

Reinternments began in the Fall. Edward Everett, a famous orator of the time, was invited to speak at the consecration ceremony, slated to take place in October. He was invited in September but asked that the date be pushed back as he needed more time to prepare. His request was granted and the date was changed to November 19, 1863. On November 2, Abraham Lincoln was invited. In his letter to Lincoln, David Will said, "It is the desire that, after the Oration [Everett's], you, as Chief Executive of the nation, formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks." 

 

As we know, no event in life is clean and neat. Few things go as planned or expected. And history is made when the participants are either unaware that they're making it or underestimate the true value of their contribution. The days surrounding Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg and the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery is no exception. 

 

LBG Tim Smith joins us again to answer our Patron's questions about November 19, 1863. Enjoy and learn!

 

Recorded at the GettysBike Tours Studios

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