Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Soldiers' National Cemetery
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
1. Soldiers' National Cemetery Marker
"Here where they fell,
Oft shall the widow's tear be shed,
Oft shall fond parents mourn their dead;
The orphan here shall kneel and weep…"
Hymn by Benjamin B. French
Sung at cemetery dedication
November 19, 1863
Soldiers' National Cemetery contains the graves of more than 6,000 United States servicemen, including 3,580 Union soldiers killed in the Civil War. Nearly half of the Civil War burials are unknown soldiers.
A few days after the battle, Andrew Curtin, Governor of Pennsylvania, visited Gettysburg and was deeply moved by what he saw. Bodies of soldiers had been hurriedly buried on the battlefield, and some had not been buried at all. Curtin and representatives of Northern states took steps to create a national cemetery. Beginning in October 1863, bodies were carefully removed from the field and re-interred here. The work took five months.
On November 19, 1863, before the burials were completed, government officials, battle veterans, and citizens assembled to dedicate the cemetery. Near the end of the ceremonies, the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, offered a few remarks - his Gettysburg Address.
Where was Lincoln?
President Abraham Lincoln was standing on a platform near the site of the Soldiers' National Monument when he delivered
this page online
Erected by Gettysburg National Military Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the National Cemeteries series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1863.
Location. 39° 49.298′ N, 77° 13.802′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Baltimore Pike (State Highway 97), on the right when traveling south. Located at the north entrance to the Gettysburg National Cemetery. It is duplicated at the south entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Second Division (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg Address (a few steps from this marker); Army of the Potomac (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Army of the Potomac (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Army of the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Army of the Potomac (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Army of the Potomac
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
2. Close Up of Cemetery Map
Double click to see the details, indicating points of interest in the cemetery.
More about this marker. The marker displays a map of the cemetery with important points and monuments indicated. On the lower right a photograph shows the Soldiers' National Cemetery in 1882.
On the left center is a photograph of the Soldiers' National Monument with the caption, The focal point of the cemetery is the Soldiers' National Monument. Dedicated July 1, 1869, it was the first of Gettysburg's grand memorials. At its base are seated figures representing War, History, Peace, and Plenty, while sixty feet above, Liberty holds the wreath of victory and the sheathed sword of battle.
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015
3. Soldiers' National Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015
4. Soldiers' National Cemetery Marker
Main Text
Main Text
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015
5. Soldiers' National Cemetery (1882)
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 22, 2015
6. Soldiers' National Cemetery Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
7. Marker at the North Entrance
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 27, 2008
8. North Entrance to the Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 938 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 24, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on March 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
