Genealogical Gems

President Abraham Lincoln had been invited to say a few words at the dedication of part of the battlefield in Gettysburg. He had, for some time, been planning on making some sort of public statement on the war. This event seemed the perfect opportunity. Being ever so humble, Lincoln did not expect the world to recall his words that somber day.   It was with that humble thought that Lincoln, On This Day in 1863, Lincoln gave his now famous Gettysburg Address.   I can recall having to memorize this in eighth grade (I think it was). Sadly, I do not recall my kids having to learn this. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.   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 battlefield of that war. We have come to ded...

150 years ago this week the most critical and the bloodiest battle of the Civil War happened in Gettysburg. This three day battle in 1863 was the result of an ambitious invasion of the North by General Robert E. Lee. He was met in Gettysburg by the Union Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major General George Gordon Meade. The Union Army showed a new energy born out of desperation. The Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg resulted in Lee's retreat to Virginia. It was also the final break of the Confederate spirit and will. During the days of the battle anniversary, with July 4 focusing on the battle's aftermath, the park will offer the following interpretive program opportunities, free of charge: Living History Camps - Two full battalions of Union and Confederate infantrymen accompanied by artillery and other supporting units will present demonstrations and programs near the Pennsylvania Memorial and at Pitzer's Woods throughout the day to illus...