Report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. [1915]

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

101

GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
Even before the close of the war, a movement was started to preserve
the existing memorials of the battle-field and, on April 30, 1864, the Gettysburg Battle-Field Memorial' Association was incorporated by an Act
of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. The object of this Association was
"to hold and preserve the battle-grounds of Gettysburg * * * * *
with the natural and artificial defences as they were at the time of
said battle, and by such perpetuation, and such memorial structures as a
generous and patriotic people may aid to erect, to commemorate the
heroic deeds, the struggles and the triumphs of their brave defenders."
Too great praise cannot be given to the officers and members of this
Memorial Association, who for thirty years devoted much time and effort
to directing the work of surveying the grounds, locating and laying out
roads and avenues, and providing for the erection of suitable memorials
and monuments.
The revenues of the Association were not equal to the large demands
made upon it, and in 1891 a committee was appointed to devise a plan
for the future maintenance of the Battle-field. As a result of the
recommendations and efforts of this Committee, on March 3, 1893, an
Act of Congress was approved authorizing the Secretary of War to appoint a Commission of three to have charge of the work of preserving
the battle-lines at Gettysburg. On February 11, 1895, approval was given
to another Act of Congress "To establish a National Military Park at
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania." Under the provisions of this Act the work
has gone forward until today the Gettysburg Battle-field, containing
about twenty-five square miles, is the best preserved and the most widely
known battle-field in the world.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONSECRATION SERVICES
In a letter dated August 17, 1863, Mr. Wills suggested to Governor
Curtin that the Cemetery should be "consecrated by appropriate ceremonies." This suggestion met with the hearty approval of the governor,
who united with the governors of the other states having soldiers who fell
in the battle of Gettysburg, in a request that Mr. Wills make the necessary arrangements for the ceremonies. In accordance with this request,
on September 23, 1863, Mr. Wills wrote the Honorable Edward Everett
of Massachusetts inviting him to deliver the oration and naming October 23 as the date. The reply of Mr. Everett, dated September 26, is full
of interest and indicates that he fully realized both the opportunity and
responsibility which came with an acceptance of the invitation. He said:
"I have received your favor of the 23d instant, inviting me, on behalf
of the governors of the states interested in the preparation of a cemetery for the soldiers who fell in the great battles of July last, to deliver
an address at the consecration. I feel much complimented by this request, and would cheerfully undertake the performance of a duty at
once so interesting and honorable. It is, however, wholly out of my
power to make the requisite preparation by the 23d of October. I am
under engagements which will occupy all my time from Monday next
to the 12th of October, and, indeed, it is doubtful whether, during the
whole month of October, I shall have a day at my command.
"The occasion is one of great importance, not to be dismissed with a