Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lincoln Cemetery
Inscription.
Four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. His Gettysburg Address, perhaps the single most famous speech in American history, described a "new birth of freedom" that the war might give the country.
While postwar America struggled to make a place for its African American citizens, a group called the Sons of Good Will created the Lincoln Cemetery in 1867 to ensure "the proper burial of Gettysburg's African American citizens and Civil War veterans." Located between South Washington Street and Long Lane, within walking distance from the Soldiers' National Cemetery, the Lincoln Cemetery holds about 30 members of the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.). It is the final resting place of most local U.S.C.T. veterans.
The first African American veteran was buried in Soldiers' National Cemetery in November 1884, when the remains of Henry Gooden, 127th United States Colored Troops, were moved from the Alms House burial ground in Gettysburg to the United States Regulars lot. The national cemetery's second African American veteran, Charles H.
Parker, 3rd United States Colored Troops, was buried in November 1936 after disinterment from the Yellow Hill Cemetery, north of Gettysburg.
Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Civil War Trails.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 49.573′ N, 77° 14.129′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is on Long Lane just north of Lincoln Lane, on the right when traveling north. The wayside marker is on the east side of Long Lane, a few steps north of the State Historical marker for Lincoln Cemetery. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Lincoln Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Basil Biggs (a few steps from this marker); Where do we bury our dead? Lincoln Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Monumental Stories (within shouting distance of this marker); Goodwill Cemetery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Paul's A.M.E. Zion Church (about 600 feet away); Agricultural Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Virginia Wade Lived in This House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2010, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 28, 2010, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.