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Transcription of Wills' letter inviting Lincoln
to participate in ceremonies
Gettysburg Nov. 2 1863
To His Excellency
A. Lincoln
President U. S.
Sir,
The Several States having Soldiers in the Army of the Potomac, who were
killed at the Battle of Gettysburg, or have since died at the various
hospitals which were established in the vicinity, have procured grounds
on a prominent part of the Battle Field for a Cemetery, and are having
the dead removed to them and properly buried.
These Grounds will be Consecrated and set apart to this Sacred purpose,
by appropriate Ceremonies, on Thursday, the 19th instant. Hon Edward
Everett will deliver the Oration.
I am authorized by the Governors of the different States to invite
you to be present, and participate in these Ceremonies, which will doubtless
be very imposing and solemnly impressive.
It is the desire that, after the Oration, you, as Chief Executive of
the Nation, formally set apart these grounds to their Sacred use by
a few appropriate remarks.
It will be a source of great gratification to the many widows and orphans
that have been made almost friendless by the Great Battle here, to have
you here personally; and it will kindle anew in the breasts of the Comrades
of these brave dead, who are now in the tented field or nobly meeting
the foe in the front, a confidence that they who sleep in death on the
Battle Field are not forgotten by those highest in Authority; and they
will feel that, should their fate be the same, their remains will not
be uncared for.
We hope you will be able to be present to perform this last solemn
act to the Soldiers dead on this Battle Field.
I am with great Respect, Your Excellency's Obedient Servant
David Wills
Agent for A. G. Curtin Gov. of Penna. and acting for all the States
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