USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Gettysburg > Soldiers' national cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania > Part 2
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Hon. LEVI SCOBEY, of New Jersey.
Hon. B. W. MORRIS, of Maine.
Mr. D. W. BROWN, of Ohio. Col. J. G. STEPHENSON, of Indiana.
Col. JOHN S. BERRY, of Maryland.
On motion of Mr. Alfred Coit, of Connecticut, the plans and de- signs of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, as laid out and designed by Mr. Wm. Saunders, were adopted by the Convention.
A motion was made by Mr. Coit, of Connecticut, returning thanks to Mr. Wm. Saunders for the designs and drawings furnished gratui- tously for the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pa .; which was un animously adopted.
Mr. Brown, of Ohio, offered the following, which was adopted :
Resolved, That Mr. Wm. Saunders be authorized to furnish forty photographs of the plan of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, for the use of the States having soldiers buried therein.
DAVID WILLS, President.
W. Y. SELLECK, Secretary.
None of the Commissioners came to the meeting authorized to enter into a final arrangement, excepting the Commissioner from Pennsylvania and myself, so that the conclusion of the meeting (from which there were no dissenting voices) necessarily assumed the form of a recommendation to the several States, as will be seen in the printed report of the proceedings constituting a part of this report. I had hoped to receive a photographic copy of the plan of the cemetery in time to have made it a part of this report. I will send it to you as soon as received.
The representatives of the Governors were entertained with ele- gance and cordiality at the Executive mansion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, by his Excellency Governor Curtin.
I have the honor to be
Your Excellency's obedient servant.
(Signed,)
JOHN G. STEPHENSON.
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EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA, December 30, 1863.
David Wills, Esq.,
Supervising Agent National Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pa.,
SIR :- In compliance with your request under date of 19th inst. I hereby nominate John G. Stevenson a member of the Board of Trustees for the management of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, on the part of the State of Indiana.
Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
(Signed,)
O. P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana.
[EXTRACT FROM GOV. CURTIN'S MESSAGE.]
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, January 7, 1864.
After the battle of Gettysburg, in which loyal Volunteers from eighteen States, including Pennsylvania, were engaged, it appeared to me proper that all of those States should unite in establishing a cemetery on the spot, in which their soldiers who had fallen in that conflict, should be honorably interred. I accordingly appointed David Wills, Esq., of Gettysburg, my agent, and through him a site was purchased at a cost of two thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars and eighty-seven cents, ($2,475 87,) and the conveyances made to the Commonwealth.
On communicating with the authorities of the other States, they all readily agreed to become parties to the arrangement, and on the 19th day of November last, the cemetery was dedicated with appro- priate ceremonies, in the presence of the President of the United States, the Governors of the States concerned, and other high officers, State and National. On the 19th day of December, on the invita- tion of Mr. Wills, Commissioners representing the States interested in the cemetery, met in Harrisburg and agreed upon a plan for its improvement and care in the future, and the apportionment of the sum of money required, to the several States, which is herewith communicated.
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The expenses attending the establishment of this cemetery, inclu - ding the cost of site and of removing the bodies of the slain, have thus far amounted to five thousand two hundred and nine dollars and thirty-eight cents, ($5,209 38) and an appropriation will be required to pay these expenses, and to meet our portion of those attending its future maintenance.
It will appear by the proceedings of the Commissioners, that their due proportion of the expenses already incurred, are to be refunded by the States on whose account they were made. It is just to say that Mr. Wills has discharged his delicate and important duties with fidelity, and to my entire satisfaction.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1 Commonwealth of Pa., January 14, 1864. S
Ordered, That the Select Committee to whom is referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to the Cemetery at Gettysburg, consist of Messrs. Lee, White, Bowman, (Lancaster,) Boyer and Labar.
REPORT.
Mr. Lee, from the Special Committee, to whom was transferred so much of the Governor's annual message to the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, read January 7th, 1864, as relates to the Gettysburg Cemetery, made report :
That they visited the grounds purchased by the State of Pennsyl- vania for the purpose of establishing a National Cemetery, in which to re-inter the bodies of our soldiers, who fell in the memorable three- days' conflict at Gettysburg, and found in progress active and judicious efforts, under competent and constant supervision, to have all the bodies of the Union soldiers, known and unknown, transferred to this, their final resting place.
In view of the general interest manifested for this institution, your Committee felt that they were charged with the responsible duty of preparing a history of this cemetery and its purposes.
The intervention of obvious difficulties to the completion of this work by your Committee, in a satisfactory manner, suggested the propriety of invoking the services of David Wills, Esq., of Gettys-
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burg, Commissioner for Pennsylvania, who having in his possession all the facts necessary to an adequate description of the time, place and circumstances connected with this laudable enterprise, coupled with an intense and ardent devotion to its every detail, kindly con- sented to relieve their labors, by furnishing the following replete and deeply interesting history of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, which, together with the act of incorporation, approved by the Governor on the twenty-fifth day of March, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, your Committee desire to present as embodying their report.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
(Signed,)
EDWARD G. LEE,
L. B. LABAR,
T. J. BOYER, ISAIAH WHITE, H. B. BOWMAN.
NATIONAL CEMETERY.
FROM THE PRINTED REPORT.
A few days after the terrific battle of Gettysburg, His Excellency, A. G. Curtin, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, hastening to the relief of the sick and wounded soldiers, visited the battle field, and numerous hospitals in and around Gettysburg, for the purpose of perfecting the arrangements for alleviating the sufferings and minis- tering to the wants of the wounded and dying. His official duties soon requiring his return to Harrisburg, he authorized and appointed David Wills, Esq., of Gettysburg, to act as his special agent, in this matter.
In traversing the battle field, the feelings were shocked and the heart sickened at the sights that presented themselves at every step. The remains of our brave soldiers, from the necessary haste with which they had been interred, in many instances were but partly covered with earth, and, indeed, in some instances, were left wholy unburied. Other sights, too shocking to be described, were occasion- ally seen. These appearances presented themselves promiscuously over the fields of arable land for miles around, which would, of necessity, be farmed over in a short time. The graves that were marked at all, were only temporarily so, and the marks were liable to be obliterated by action of the weather. Such was the spectacle witnessed on going over the battle field-a field made glorious by victory achieved through the sacrifice of the lives of the thousands
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of brave men whose bodies and graves were in such exposed condi- tion; and this, too, on Pennsylvania soil! Humanity shuddered at the sight, and called aloud for a remedy. The idea, accordingly, suggested itself of taking means to gather these remains together, and bury them decently and in order in a cemetery. Mr. Wills sub- mitted the proposition and plan for this purpose by letter, July 24th, 1863, to His Excellency, Governor Curtin; and the Governor with that profound sympathy, and that care and anxiety for the soldier which have always characterized him, approved of the design, and directed that a correspondence be entered into at once by Mr. Wills, with the Governors of other States having soldiers on the battle field of Gettysburg. The Governors of the different States, with great promptness, seconded the project, and the details of the arrangement were subsequently agreed upon. Grounds favorably situated were selected by the agent, and Governor Curtin directed him to purchase them for the State of Pennsylvania, for the specific purpose of the burial of soldiers who fell in defence of the Union in the battle of Gettysburg, and that lots in this cemetery should be gratuitously ten- dered to each State having such dead on the field.
The expenses of the removal of the dead, of the laying out, or- namenting, and enclosing the grounds, and erecting a lodge for the keeper, and of constructing a suitable monument to the memory of the dead to be borne by the several States, and assessed in propor- tion to their population, as indicated by their Representatives in Congress. The Governor of Pennsylvania stipulated that the State of Pennsylvania would subsequently keep the grounds in order, and the buildings and fences in repair.
Seventeen acres of land on Cemetery Hill, at the apex of the triangular line of battle of the Union army, were purchased by Pennsylvania for this purpose. There were stone fences upon these grounds which had been advantageously used by the infantry.
On the elevated portions of the ground, many batteries of artillery had been planted, which not only commanded the view of the whole line of battle of the Union army, but were brought to bear almost incessantly, with great effect, upon every position of the rebel lines. We refer the reader to the excellent map of this battle-field, and its hospitals in the front of this pamphlet. It was prepared by the Rev. Andrew B. Cross, who is one of the most active and zealous members of the Christian Commission, and who labored faithfully for months in the hospitals at Gettysburg, ministering to the temporal and spiritual wants ef tho wounded and dying soldiers.
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The map gives the locality of the National Cemetery, as well as many other points of interest connected with the battle-field. The Cemetery grounds were plotted and laid out in the original and ap- propriate style indicated by the plate accompanying this description by the rural architect Mr. William Saunders.
Such was the origin of this final resting place of the remains of our departed heroes, who nobly laid down their lives a sacrifice on their country's altar, for the sake of universal freedom and the pre- servation of the Union. Who can estimate the importance to us and all posterity of their valor and heroism ? Their remains, above all others, deserve the highest honor that a grateful people can bestow on them. Their deeds will live in history long after their bodies have mouldered into dust ; and the place where they now lie honored, protected and preserved as a sad, but sacred memento of their brave conduct.
The design contemplates the erection of a monument to the mem- ory of the dead; and the situation which seems to meet with the greatest favor is in the center of the semi-circle of graves. It has been suggested, that each State having dead here, should contribute a slab or stone tablet, to be placed in the monument, with the names engraved upon it of those whose graves are not identified, and who consequently are interred in the lots set apart for the unknown.
The grounds are laid off in lots for each State, proportioned in size to the number of marked graves on the Gettysburg battle- field.
There is also a lot set apart for the burial of the remains of those who belonged to the regular service. The graves of about one third of the dead were unmarked ; but these bodies are deposited in prom- inent and honorable positions at each end of the semi-circular ar- rangement of the lots. The grounds naturally have a gradual slope in every direction from the center of the semi-circle to the circum- ference. Each lot is laid of in sections with a space of four feet for a walk between each section. The outer section is lettered A, and so on in alphabetical order. As the observer stands in the center of the semi-circle, facing the circumference, the burials are commenced at the right hand of the section in each lot, and the graves are num- bered from one up, numerically. A register is made of the number name, regiment and company of the occupant of each grave. Two feet space is allotted to each, and they are laid with their heads towards the center of the semi-circle. At the heads of the graves there is a stone wall, built up from the bottom as a foundation for
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the head stones, which are to be placed along the whole length of each section, and on which, opposite each grave, will be engraved the name, regiment and company of the deceased.
The head stones will be all alike in size, the design being wholly adopted to a symmetrical order, and one which combines simplicity and durability. No other marks will be permitted to be erected. There will be about twenty-nine hundred burials in the cemetery.
An application was made by Mr. Wills to Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, for coffins for the interment of the dead, and the Quarter Master General was promptly ordered to furnish them. The Secretary of War, also, with a liberal considerateness, afforded many facilities for the proper and honorable solemnization of the exercises of the 19th of November. The removals and burials are made with the greatest care, and under the strictest supervision. Every pre- caution is taken with the unmarked graves, and also, to prevent the marked graves from losing their identity, by defacement of the original temporary boards on which the names were written or cut by comrades in arms. The graves being all numbered, the numbers are registered every evening in a record book, with the names, com- pany and regiment. This register will designate the graves, should the temporary marks become defaced by the action of the weather, or be otherwise lost, before the permanent head stones are put in place. After the burials are all made, the graves are permanently marked, and the style of monument determined upon, a map will be prepared and lithographed, showing the number of each grave in each section, and a key be published with the map, giving the full inscription on the head stone, corresponding with the number.
A few of the States sent Agents to Gettysburg to superintend the removal and burial of their dead, while most of them entrusted the arrangements for that purpose to the Agent of the State of Penn- sylvania. The Boston city authorities, in concert with the Governor of Massachusetts, sent an efficient committee to Gettysburg, who made the removals of the Massachusetts dead by their own special arrangement. The consecration of these cemetery grounds, was, in due time suggested by Governor Curtin. The name of Hon. Ed- ward Everett was submitted to the Governors of all States interested, as the orator to deliver the address on that occasion, and they unan- imously concurred in him as the person eminently suitable for the purpose.
A letter of invitation was accordingly addressed to him, inviting him to deliver the oration. He accepted the duty, and the 19th of
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November was fixed upon as the day. Hon. W. H. Lamon, the United States Marshal for the District of Columbia, was selected as the Chief Marshal of the civic procession, and to Major General . N. Couch, Commanding the Department of the Susquehanna, were committed the arrangements for the military. To all these gentle- men great credit is due for the admirable manner in which they dis- charged the duties of the positions assigned them, Birgfield's Brigade Band, of Philadelphia, was invited to furnish the music for the cere- monial of consecration, which was done gratuitously, and in a very acceptable manner. The Presidential party was accompanied by the marine band from the Navy yard at Washington, and the military detachment was attended by the brass band from Fort McHenry, Baltimore.
The public generally were invited to be present and participate in these solemn exercises, and special invitations were sent to the Pre- sident and Vice President of the United States, and the members of the Cabinet - to Major General George G. Meade, commanding the Army of the Potomac, and, through him, to the officers and privates of that army which had fought so valiantly, and gained such a mem- orable victory on the Gettysburg battle-field and to Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, and Admiral Charles Stewart, the distin- guished and time honored representatives of the Army and Navy.
The President of the United States was present, and participated in these solemnities, delivering a brief dedicatory address. The occa- sion was further made memorable by the presence of large represen- tations from the army and navy, of the Secretary of State of the Uni- ted States, the Ministers of France and Italy, the French Admiral, and other distinguished foreigners, and several members of Congress, also, of the Governors of a large number of the States interested, with their Staffs, and, in some instances, large delegations, besides a vast concourse of citizens from all the States. Letters were received, in reply to the invitations addressed to them, from Major General Meade, Lieutenant General Scott, Admiral Charles Stewart, and the Secretary of the Treasury, Hon. S. P. Chase, regretting their inabil- ity to be present, and expressive of their approval of the project.
One of the most sad and impressive features of the solemnities of the 19th of November, was the presence, in the procession and on the grounds, of a delegation of about fifty wounded soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, from the York hospital. These men had been wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, and were present in delegation, to pay this just tribute to the remains of their fallen comrades. Dur-
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ing the exercises their bronzed cheeks were frequently suffused with tears, indicative of their heartfelt sympathy in the solemn scene be- fore them. From none others could tears of unfeigned grief fall up- on those graves with so much sad appreciation.
These scarred veterans came and dropped the tear of sorrow on the last resting-place of those companions, by whose sides they so nobly fought, and, lingering over the graves after the crowd had dis- persed, slowly went away, strengthened in their faith in a nation's gratitude.
REPORT OF DAVID WILLS,
To the Honorable, the Committee of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the Soldiers' National Cem- etery, at Gettysburg.
The design for locating a place for the decent interment of the re- mains of our soldiers who fell in defense of the Union, in the battle of Gettysburg, was originated soon after that bloody conflict, in July last; but was not consummated by the purchase of the grounds for the purpose, until August. A persistent effort was made by persons here, to have the soldiers buried in grounds controlled by the local Cemetery Association of this place. The plans proposed having the burials made at a stipulated price, to be paid the Cemetery Associa- tion. Failing in this project, these persons endeavored to connect the two cemeteries, so that they should both be in one enclosure, and all under the control, supervision and management of the local Cem- etery Association.
As the agent of His Excellency, the Governor of Pennsylvania, I was in communication, by letter, and personally, for some time, with the representatives and citizens of other States, in reference to this proposed plan, and all were of decided opinion that the Soldiers' Cem- etery should be entirely distinct and disconnected with the local cem- etery ; that, to ensure success in obtaining concert of action among all the States, it must be made an independent, and the control and management of it be retained by the States interested.
This whole matter was very thoroughly and impartially canvassed and discussed, and this conclusion arrived at and adopted. The grounds were subsequently laid out, and the burials made, in view of the National character of the project. His Excellency, Governor
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Curtin, having authorized me to buy the grounds, and invite the other States interested to unite in the removal of the dead and improving the grounds, I immediately endeavored to purchase land on Cemetery Hill, and, after much difficulty, succeeded in buying five different lots lying on Cemetery Hill, on the west side of the Baltimore turnpike, adjoining the local cemetery on the north and west.
It is ground on which the centre of our line of battle rested July 2d and 3d, and one of the most prominent and important positions on the whole battle-field. The lots were purchased for different prices per acre, according to their location, but at a very reasonable market price. Two lots were bought at the rate of $225 per acre; one for $200 per acre; one for $150 per aere, and one for $135 per acre. The whole embraces about seventeen acres, and for the exact area and amount in each purchase, I refer you to the deeds on file in the Auditor General's office. The cemetery having assumed a National character, by being independent of any local controlling influences, the Governors of all the States having soldiers lying on this battle- field, after much correspondence and conference through commission- ers sent here for the purpose, committed their States to the project.
I then made arrangements with Mr. William Saunders, an eminent landscape gardener, to lay out the grounds in State lots, apportioned in size according to the number of marked graves each State had on this. battle-field. This number was obtained by having a thorough search made for all the graves, and a complete list of the names accu- rately taken. The grounds were accordingly very neatly and appro- priately laid out, and I refer you to the map of them.
To preserve their identity, I deemed it very important to have the removals of the dead made as soon as possible. The marks at the graves were but temporary ; in many instances a small, rough board, on which the name was faintly written with a lead pencil. This would necessarily be effaced by the action of the weather, and the boards were also liable to be thrown down and lost.
The. graves which were unmarked were in many instances level with the surface of the earth, and the grass and weeds were growing over them; and in the forests the fall of the leaves in the autumn would cover them so that they might be entirely lost.
I therefore issued proposals for giving out the contract for dis- interring, removing, and burying, in the National Cemetery, all the Union dead on this battle-field. Thirty-four bids were handed in, varying in amount from $1.59 to $8.00. I awarded the work to F.
S. N. C .- 3
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U. Biesecker, the lowest bidder, for $1.59 per body. His duties are fully set forth in the specifications, which are embodied in the con- tract.
I take pleasure in saying that the work under this contract has been done with great care, and to my entire satisfaction. This is owing, in part, to the great care and attention bestowed by Mr. Sam- uel Weaver, whom I employed to superintend the exhuming of the bodies. Through his untiring and faithful efforts, the bodies in many unmarked graves have been identified in various ways. Sometimes by letters, by receipts, by papers, certificates, diaries, memorandum books, photographs, marks on the clothing, belts, or cartridge boxes, &c., have the names of the soldiers been discovered.
Money, and other valuables, have frequently been found; which, where the residence of the friends is known, have been immediately sent to them. Those not returned to the friends are carefully packed up and marked, and every effort will be made to find the friends of the deceased, and place these articles in their possession. Words would fail to describe the grateful relief that this work has brought to many a sorrowing household. A father, a brother, a son, has been lost on this battle-field, supposed to be killed, but no tidings whatever have the bereaved friends of him. Suddenly, in the progress of this work, his remains are discovered by sure marks, letters, probably photographs, &c., and they are deposited in a coffin, with care, and buried in this very appropriate place, on the battle-field where he fell-the Soldiers' National Cemetery.
There his grave will be properly cared for, and permanently marked The friends, who have probably written me several letters of inquiry, are immediately informed of the discovery. What a relief from agonizing hope and despair such certain information brings.
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