Lincoln Comes to Gettysburg: The Creation of the Soldiers' National Cemetery and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Lincoln At Gettysburg

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