GDG- Invite You to be present, and participate in these Ceremonies

[Dennis Lawrence]

 From David Wills to Abraham Lincoln  November 2, 1863

Gettysburg Nov. 2nd 1863

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 distant,--

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.2

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.

[Note 1 Wills, a Pennsylvania banker and judge, was chairman of the 
committee that organized the establishment of the military cemetery at 
Gettysburg.]

[Note 2 Lincoln accepted the invitation to speak at the dedication ceremony 
and delivered his Gettysburg Address on November 19.]

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(Invites Lincoln to stay at his home during the visit to Gettysburg

 From David Wills to Abraham Lincoln1, November 2, 1863

Gettysburg Nov. 2 1863

Sir,

As the Hotels in our town will be crowded and in confusion at the time 
referred to in the enclosed invitation, I write to invite you to stop with 
me. I hope you will feel it your duty to lay aside pressing business for a 
day to come on here to perform this last sad rite to our brave soldier dead 
on the 19th instant.

Governor Curtin and Hon Edward Everett will be my Guests at that time and 
if you come you will please join them at my house.

You will confer a favor if you advise me early of your intentions.2

With great Respect

Your Obedient Servant

David Wills

[Note 1 Wills, a Pennsylvania banker and judge, was chairman of the 
committee that organized the establishment of the military cemetery at 
Gettysburg.]

[Note 2 Lincoln accepted the invitation and spent the evening of November 
18 at the Wills home.]


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