Abraham Lincoln spent just 25 hours of his life in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. But during that span of time, he put the finishing touches on and delivered what many consider to be the greatest speech ever written. While many books and articles have focused on the address itself and the circumstances surrounding its creation and delivery, this article will focus on the time that the President spent while a visitor in this historic town, how he interacted with the local population, and how the people of Gettysburg remembered him. And while many Lincoln scholars have focused their attention on the accounts of the more prominent dignitaries who also attended the ceremony, it is the intention of this study to present a sampling of the largely untapped reminiscences of area residents.

The accepted estimate is that some 15,000 people were present at the dedication on November 19, 1863. Although many had traveled great distances to see the President speak that day, the majority of the crowd was made up of residents of the town and surrounding county. As years passed and people began to appreciate the importance of Lincoln’s words, it became a distinction to have been present at the ceremonies. Gettysburg newspapers are filled with reminiscences of those who were in attendance. Starting in the early 1900s and until the last eyewitness passed away, there were literally hundreds of obituaries printed in Adams County newspapers that have some mention of the address. Having seen, heard or met Abraham Lincoln became a key component of a person’s biography, and along with their marriage or the birth of their children, it became one of most cherished of memories.1

The Soldiers’ National Cemetery

In the aftermath of the greatest battle in American history, thousands of men were buried in temporary graves all around Gettysburg. Governor Andrew Curtin journeyed to the field of battle and quickly recognized that something had to be done. The concept eventually adopted was that of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. Appointed by Governor Curtin, on behalf of the governors of the Northern states, to serve as an agent in the matter was Gettysburg attorney David Wills. Although the Confederate dead would remain in the fields around Gettysburg, those of the Army of the Potomac would be reinterred on a hill south of town adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery. In an effort to honor the fallen and officially consecrate the cemetery grounds, a dedication ceremony was planned.

Edward Everett of Massachusetts was chosen to be the keynote speaker and the date eventually settled upon was Thursday, November 19, 1863. During the course of sending formal printed invitations to important national, state and military officials, the promoters of the cemetery were made aware that President Lincoln desired to attend the ceremonies. In response, David Wills was authorized to send a personal invitation to the President which included the request that hebe the one to “formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks.” At the same time Wills sent along a less formal invitation asking the President to be a guest at his house along with Governor Curtin and Edward Everett.2

As the date of dedication neared, the people of Gettysburg began to realize the importance of the occasion and preparations were kicked into high gear. According to the Reverend Henry C. Holloway, an 1861 graduate of Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College), “the fact that the President and his cabinet were coming to town was quite sufficient to create the liveliest interest.”3 Gettysburg resident Harvey Sweney noted that “for some days before the 19th our town was filled with strangers eager to secure a place to stay during that memorable day. All the rooms in the hotels were engaged several weeks ahead but our old town roused up to action, —meetings were held and committees were appointed to wait on strangers and procure them accommodations in every house large and small, high and low. You could hear the sound of busy preparation for the coming multitude. Churches, public schools, town halls, all the private dwellings, barns, etc. were thrown open to receive them. Every house groaned with the good things of this life prepared to feed the coming crowd. On the morning of the 18th, the heavy trains of cars began to pour in laden with masses of human beings. Train after train came. Nothing scarcely could be heard but the loud snort of the iron horse and the rumble of the long and heavy train.”4

According to the Adams Sentinel, “the influx of strangers commenced on Monday [the 16th], and the trains became heavier, and heavier as the day of consecration approached. On Wednesday, Wednesday night and Thursday morning [the 19th], trains arrived every few hours, swelling the crowd to immense proportions.”5

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