Winchester, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Address by President Lincoln
At the Dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery
— November 19, 1863 —
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Patriots & Patriotism • 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 date for this entry is November 19, 1863.
Location. 39° 11.098′ N, 78° 9.374′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Virginia. Memorial can be reached from the intersection of National Avenue (Business Virginia Route 7) and Fairview Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is mounted at eye-level directly on the Winchester National Cemetery administration building, near the southwest corner, facing west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 National Avenue, Winchester VA 22601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Third Battle of Winchester (a few steps from this marker); A National Cemetery System (a few steps from this marker); 123rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry (a few steps from this marker); Winchester National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); 14th New Hampshire Regiment (within shouting distance of this marker); 114th New York Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); 6th Army Corps (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.