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Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg: The Creation of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
New York Times
–Bestselling The story of the battle’s aftermath—the burial of the dead, and Lincoln’s appearance to make “a few appropriate remarks.”
Almost 8,000 dead dotted the fields of Gettysburg after the guns went silent. The Confederate dead were hastily buried, but what of the Union dead? Several men hatched the idea of a new cemetery to bury and honor the Union soldiers just south of town. Their task was difficult to say the least.
After the State of Pennsylvania purchased seventeen acres, a renowned landscape architect designed the cemetery’s layout. All was now ready for the bodies to be taken from their uneasy resting places around the battlefield, placed in coffins, marked with their names and units, and transported to the new cemetery to be permanently reinterred. More than 3,500 men were moved to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.
As these tasks gained momentum, so too did planning for the cemetery’s consecration or dedication. A committee of agents from each state that had lost men in battle worked out the logistics. Most of the program was easily decided—it would be composed of odes, singing, prayers, and remarks by the nation’s most renowned orator, Edward Everett. The committee argued over whether President Abraham Lincoln should be invited to the ceremony and, if so, his role in the program. Divided by politics, it decided on a middle ground, inviting the president to provide “a few appropriate remarks.” To the surprise of many, he accepted the invitation, for the most part crafted his remarks in the Executive Mansion, and headed to Gettysburg, arriving on the evening of November 18, 1863. The town was filled with thousands expecting to witness the “event of the century.”
The next day, Lincoln mounted a horse to join the procession heading for the cemetery. The program was unremarkable, except for Lincoln’s remarks—whose reception was split along party lines. Lincoln Comes to The Creation of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address recounts the events in vivid historical detail.
Includes photographs
Praise for Bradley M. Gottfried’s previous
“Engrossing . . . Civil War buffs will delight in this gripping addition to the literature of Gettysburg.” —Publishers Weekly
“An intimate picture of life with the brigade.” —The New York Times
Almost 8,000 dead dotted the fields of Gettysburg after the guns went silent. The Confederate dead were hastily buried, but what of the Union dead? Several men hatched the idea of a new cemetery to bury and honor the Union soldiers just south of town. Their task was difficult to say the least.
After the State of Pennsylvania purchased seventeen acres, a renowned landscape architect designed the cemetery’s layout. All was now ready for the bodies to be taken from their uneasy resting places around the battlefield, placed in coffins, marked with their names and units, and transported to the new cemetery to be permanently reinterred. More than 3,500 men were moved to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery.
As these tasks gained momentum, so too did planning for the cemetery’s consecration or dedication. A committee of agents from each state that had lost men in battle worked out the logistics. Most of the program was easily decided—it would be composed of odes, singing, prayers, and remarks by the nation’s most renowned orator, Edward Everett. The committee argued over whether President Abraham Lincoln should be invited to the ceremony and, if so, his role in the program. Divided by politics, it decided on a middle ground, inviting the president to provide “a few appropriate remarks.” To the surprise of many, he accepted the invitation, for the most part crafted his remarks in the Executive Mansion, and headed to Gettysburg, arriving on the evening of November 18, 1863. The town was filled with thousands expecting to witness the “event of the century.”
The next day, Lincoln mounted a horse to join the procession heading for the cemetery. The program was unremarkable, except for Lincoln’s remarks—whose reception was split along party lines. Lincoln Comes to The Creation of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address recounts the events in vivid historical detail.
Includes photographs
Praise for Bradley M. Gottfried’s previous
“Engrossing . . . Civil War buffs will delight in this gripping addition to the literature of Gettysburg.” —Publishers Weekly
“An intimate picture of life with the brigade.” —The New York Times
- GenresCivil War
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2021
7 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Bradley M. Gottfried
32 books5 followersBorn and raised in Philadelphia, Brad Gottfried earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from Miami University and spent the four decades as an educator in higher education. He has served as a full-time faculty member, department head, campus dean, chief academic officer and president. Before retiring in 2017, he served as President of Sussex County Community College (NJ) and College of Southern Maryland for the past 17 years.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
His interest in the Civil War began at an early age and was rekindled when he returned to an administrative position in the Philadelphia area. His fourteenth book was recently published. His early writing primarily centered on the Battle of Gettysburg, and he wrote five books on this topic. He has also written two brigade-level histories. His current “niche” is map books, where he thoroughly describes campaigns through the use of maps. Seven books have been published in this series: Gettysburg, First Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cavalry at Gettysburg, Bristoe/Mine Run, and the Wilderness, have been published. The Maps of Spotsylvania through Cold Harbor will be published next. He is also working on a variety of other Civil War related projects.
In addition to writing, Brad is an Antietam Certified Battlefield Guide and a Gettysburg Licensed Town Guide. He may have retired, but he is still an educator.
Brad is married to his wife, Linda and between them they have four grown children and six grandchildren. The Gottfrieds moved from Southern Maryland to Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, which is just west of Gettysburg.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 17, 2024
Lincoln At Gettysburg In the Emerging Civil War Series
This short new book, "Lincoln Comes To Gettysburg" (2021) has a broad subject. As indicated in the subtitle, it covers "The Creation of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." As the editors explain further, the book tells the story of "the interface between the battle, the death and burial of so many young men, the Soldiers Cemetery creation, and Lincoln's immortal visit." The book integrates its story well, with the focus on Lincoln's November 19, 1863, Gettysburg Address and its meaning. Bradley Gottffried, the author of many books and maps on the Civil War wrote this book in collaboration with his wife Linda Gottfried, a graphic designer and sculptor. The book moves between its text and its many images of Gettysburg, Lincoln, the Cemetery, and the sculpture and monumentation commemorating the great events of the battle and its aftermath.
The book opens at the end of the battle of Gettysburg, July 1 -- 3, 1863, with the many dead on the field needing burial. The aftermath of the battle was horrendous and is convincingly described with many first-person accounts. Soon after the Union dead were hastily buried on the field, the State of Pennsylvania realized the need for a permanent cemetery. Several chapters describe in detail the process of deciding upon the cemetry's location, acquiring the land, involving the States who lost soldiers at the battle, and planning for the removal of the bodies from the battlefield to the new cemetry. The story is told well with a great attention to specifics. It occasionally bogs down.
The Gottfrieds then discuss planning the consecration of the cemetry, with the invitation to Edward Everett to deliver a lengthy address and to President Lincoln to deliver a "few appropriate remarks." The story builds slowly as Lincoln travels to Gettysburg, interacts with the many visitors for the event, and delivers his great Address. The book explores the mixed contemporary response to Lincoln's speech and also offers a brief interpretation of the text. The authors conclude with the following apt summary.
"There were many heroes associated with Gettysburg, beginning of course, with those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The leadership of Gettysburg citizens, such as David Wills and David McConaughy, illustrate what Americans can do in a crisis, and of course, Abraham Lincoln who steadfastly worked to cement our nation together. The story of Gettysburg is not merely the battle or Lincoln's speech, it is the totality of the events that illustrate the American spirit and, as such, it will always occupy a special place in our legacy."
Although it is sometimes cumbersome, the focus on the "totality of events" offers an excellent way to understand the significance of Gettysburg. I particularly liked how the book carries the story forward with a discussion of the commemorative speech former President Eisenhower gave at the centenial of the Gettysburg Address. Eisenhower's speech is not often quoted but it is insightful in itself and worth reading in understanding the continued importance of the events at Gettysburg to our country.
"Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg" is an excellent book for students and for readers looking for a good understanding of the Gettysburg Address and its history. The book is part of the Emerging Civil War Series which offers succinct histories of key events in the Civil War for non-specialist readers. The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review.
Robin Friedman
This short new book, "Lincoln Comes To Gettysburg" (2021) has a broad subject. As indicated in the subtitle, it covers "The Creation of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address." As the editors explain further, the book tells the story of "the interface between the battle, the death and burial of so many young men, the Soldiers Cemetery creation, and Lincoln's immortal visit." The book integrates its story well, with the focus on Lincoln's November 19, 1863, Gettysburg Address and its meaning. Bradley Gottffried, the author of many books and maps on the Civil War wrote this book in collaboration with his wife Linda Gottfried, a graphic designer and sculptor. The book moves between its text and its many images of Gettysburg, Lincoln, the Cemetery, and the sculpture and monumentation commemorating the great events of the battle and its aftermath.
The book opens at the end of the battle of Gettysburg, July 1 -- 3, 1863, with the many dead on the field needing burial. The aftermath of the battle was horrendous and is convincingly described with many first-person accounts. Soon after the Union dead were hastily buried on the field, the State of Pennsylvania realized the need for a permanent cemetery. Several chapters describe in detail the process of deciding upon the cemetry's location, acquiring the land, involving the States who lost soldiers at the battle, and planning for the removal of the bodies from the battlefield to the new cemetry. The story is told well with a great attention to specifics. It occasionally bogs down.
The Gottfrieds then discuss planning the consecration of the cemetry, with the invitation to Edward Everett to deliver a lengthy address and to President Lincoln to deliver a "few appropriate remarks." The story builds slowly as Lincoln travels to Gettysburg, interacts with the many visitors for the event, and delivers his great Address. The book explores the mixed contemporary response to Lincoln's speech and also offers a brief interpretation of the text. The authors conclude with the following apt summary.
"There were many heroes associated with Gettysburg, beginning of course, with those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The leadership of Gettysburg citizens, such as David Wills and David McConaughy, illustrate what Americans can do in a crisis, and of course, Abraham Lincoln who steadfastly worked to cement our nation together. The story of Gettysburg is not merely the battle or Lincoln's speech, it is the totality of the events that illustrate the American spirit and, as such, it will always occupy a special place in our legacy."
Although it is sometimes cumbersome, the focus on the "totality of events" offers an excellent way to understand the significance of Gettysburg. I particularly liked how the book carries the story forward with a discussion of the commemorative speech former President Eisenhower gave at the centenial of the Gettysburg Address. Eisenhower's speech is not often quoted but it is insightful in itself and worth reading in understanding the continued importance of the events at Gettysburg to our country.
"Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg" is an excellent book for students and for readers looking for a good understanding of the Gettysburg Address and its history. The book is part of the Emerging Civil War Series which offers succinct histories of key events in the Civil War for non-specialist readers. The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review.
Robin Friedman
July 22, 2023
Gottfried's book provides an interesting story about the aftermath of the battle leading up to Lincoln's "few remarks." It is a light read but informative. I go to Gettysburg a few times a year because I live close and it was interesting to read about how this cemetery came to be and the lead up to Lincoln's famous speech on November 19, 1863.
December 11, 2023
Unlike other Emerging Civil War books, this one can actually stand as a very good read on the topic. Most of the rest of the series are good introductions to the battles covered. With this entry, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper for details. I highly recommend this book.
October 23, 2024
A fantastic book including great pictures from the Gettysburg Address. I was just visiting Gettysburg last week and decided to start this book while I was there. I couldn’t put this book down. I highly recommend this book! Great work.
November 14, 2021
Continuing in the tradition of the Emerging Civil War series from Savas Beatie, Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg is an accessible and easily consumed study of the history of the national cemetery in Gettysburg.
Gottfried, a respected author best known for his two “Brigades” books (of Gettysburg and of Antietam) as well as his series of excellent map books, is also a town guide in Gettysburg and well-qualified to share some of the important but oft overlooked elements of the story. Gottfried provides an excellent description of the series of events following the battle and the contributions of local attorney David Wills which culminated in the events of November 19 and Lincoln’s timeless “appropriate remarks.”
Included with the text is an appendix, standard for the aeries, which includes a walking tour of Lincoln’s path as well as the cemetery itself. It does not include as many additions essays as other volumes on the series, a bit of a loss as these often prove to be excellent editions to the history and story being told.
While more exhaustive treatments and studies are available, Gottfried’s book offers more than enough detail for both the amateur as well as the veteran student of Gettysburg, Lincoln, and/or the Civil War. As with most of the ECW series books, this work provides enough, but also serves as a good launching point for those wanting to learn more.
Gottfried, a respected author best known for his two “Brigades” books (of Gettysburg and of Antietam) as well as his series of excellent map books, is also a town guide in Gettysburg and well-qualified to share some of the important but oft overlooked elements of the story. Gottfried provides an excellent description of the series of events following the battle and the contributions of local attorney David Wills which culminated in the events of November 19 and Lincoln’s timeless “appropriate remarks.”
Included with the text is an appendix, standard for the aeries, which includes a walking tour of Lincoln’s path as well as the cemetery itself. It does not include as many additions essays as other volumes on the series, a bit of a loss as these often prove to be excellent editions to the history and story being told.
While more exhaustive treatments and studies are available, Gottfried’s book offers more than enough detail for both the amateur as well as the veteran student of Gettysburg, Lincoln, and/or the Civil War. As with most of the ECW series books, this work provides enough, but also serves as a good launching point for those wanting to learn more.
May 3, 2022
An important book to help understand the complexities of The Gettysburg Address and the endeavor of the people of Gettysburg to reconcile the loss of life that occurred in their town. Highly readable and full of concrete research I enjoyed this book and will add much of what I learned to my classroom.
September 7, 2021
A short but detailed look at the people and process involved in creating the National Cemetery after the battle, along with how the Gettysburg Address came to be.
A longer review is in preparation for the Lincoln Herald.
A longer review is in preparation for the Lincoln Herald.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews