Soldiers' National Cemetery

Soldiers' National Cemetery. A historic burial ground established in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. It is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, and is renowned as the site where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Administered by the National Park Service as part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for Union soldiers who perished in the pivotal battle.

History

The immediate need for the cemetery arose from the catastrophic casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Gregg Curtin appointed local attorney David Wills to oversee the creation of a proper burial ground for the Union dead. Wills purchased land on Cemetery Hill, a key defensive position held by the Army of the Potomac during the battle. The task of designing the cemetery's layout was awarded to landscape architect William Saunders. The initial interments, a solemn and massive undertaking, began in the fall of 1863, with bodies being moved from makeshift graves across the battlefield. The cemetery was officially dedicated on November 19, 1863, in a ceremony that featured orations by Edward Everett and President Abraham Lincoln.

Design and layout

William Saunders designed the cemetery in a semicircular pattern, breaking from the traditional grid layouts of the era. The design is organized around a central monument, the Soldiers' National Monument, with graves arranged in concentric arcs by state. This layout was intended to symbolize the equality of the states in the Union cause. The grounds are meticulously landscaped with a variety of trees and shrubs, creating a serene, park-like atmosphere. The main entrance is marked by the New York State Monument, and the cemetery is bounded by historic stone walls and wrought-iron fencing. This innovative design influenced subsequent national cemetery planning and is considered a seminal work of 19th century American landscape architecture.

Notable burials and memorials

The cemetery contains the remains of over 3,500 Union soldiers, nearly a third of whom are in unknown graves. Among the notable memorials is the central Soldiers' National Monument, dedicated in 1869, which features allegorical statues representing War, History, Peace, and Plenty. The Gettysburg Address Memorial, a bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln by sculptor Henry Kirke Bush-Brown, was added in 1912. While most interred are Union combatants, the cemetery also includes graves of veterans from later conflicts, including the Spanish–American War, World War I, and World War II. Several state-specific monuments dot the landscape, such as those for Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York, honoring their respective volunteers.

Dedication and Gettysburg Address

The dedication ceremony on November 19, 1863, was a major event, drawing a crowd of approximately 15,000 people. The main oration was delivered by famed speaker Edward Everett, who spoke for over two hours. President Abraham Lincoln's subsequent remarks, now immortalized as the Gettysburg Address, lasted just over two minutes. In his brief speech, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the war, famously proclaiming it a struggle to ensure "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." The address, initially receiving mixed reactions, has since become one of the most revered speeches in American history. The event was covered by journalists including Joseph Gilbert of the Associated Press.

Administration and maintenance

Initially under state control, the cemetery's administration was transferred to the War Department in 1872. In 1933, stewardship passed to the National Park Service as part of the Gettysburg National Military Park. Daily maintenance and preservation of the historic landscape, monuments, and headstones are carried out by park staff. The American Battlefield Trust and other preservation groups have also been involved in restoration projects. The cemetery remains an active site for commemorative events, including annual memorial Day observances and ceremonies marking the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a key component of the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District.

Category:Cemeteries in Pennsylvania Category:American Civil War cemeteries Category:National Park Service areas in Pennsylvania Category:Monuments and memorials in Pennsylvania