The Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln had been invited to speak at a dedication of a Civil War cemetery. The Civil War was still in the middle of being fought. Thousands and thousands of soldiers had been killed at Gettysburg, and land had been obtained to bury the dead.

Rebecca had read about the event in a local newspaper. She didn’t live far from Gettysburg, and she wanted to go! She begged her parents for a week before they finally relented.

Early on November 19, Rebecca and her father took the quick trip to Gettysburg. She admired Lincoln’s bravery and his courage. It had been a dream of hers to one day meet the president. This would be the day.

Rebecca didn’t realize how long it would take. Mr. Everett, the first speaker, spoke for two hours. Rebecca thought she was going to die as she sat fidgeting in her seat.

Then it was time for President Lincoln. He rose from his seat and began his speech. Rebecca was enthralled. She loved his words about freedom. President Lincoln spoke for just two minutes.

Rebecca couldn’t believe it. She jumped out of her seat and ran to the stage. She just had to meet Mr. Lincoln. President Lincoln’s bodyguard stopped her, but Mr. Lincoln beckoned her to join him for a minute.

Walking back to the wagon, Rebecca stared at her hand. “I’ll never wash it, Dad, never.” Her dad smiled and loaded her into the wagon.