Only five manuscript copies of the Gettysburg Address exist. Two are in the Library of Congress. The third is is at the Illinois State Historical Library at Springfield, the fourth is at Cornell University and the fifth is now in the Lincoln Room of the White House. > Compare four of the copies

The Gettysburg Bibliophile

It was a bright, crisp Pennsylvania morning in November, 1863 when Abraham Lincoln mounted a tiny horse and proceeded for the Diamond in the center of Gettysburg, down Baltimore Street, to the Evergreen Cemetery. Lincoln on horseback, with long legs dangling and coat tails flopping, was far from an inspiring sight. But whatever sense of the comical may have made itself felt, it disappeared completely when the first strong words of his address rolled out into the cool fall air.

"I was so close to the President," Mrs. John T. Myers describes the moment, "and heard all of the address, but it seemed short. Then there was an impressive silence, like our Menallen Friends' Meeting. There was no applause when he stopped speaking." Few knew it at the time, but Lincoln had just uttered what would become the most revered speech in American history.

Additional Resources

• Lincoln Forum
  The Lincoln Forum is an assembly of people who share a deep interest in the life and times of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. They meet in Gettysburg every November, bringing together the best Lincoln writers and scholars. Everyone is welcome to join.
• David Wills House
  This is the house where Lincoln slept when in he was in Gettysburg. He also put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address here. Located on Lincoln Square in downtown Gettysburg, the house is being converted to a Welcome & Information Center.
• James Getty
  Gettysburg is privileged to have as a premier resident, the nationally renowned Lincoln impersonator, James Getty. He has portrayed Lincoln in Gettysburg since 1978, and has also been featured on television, and in special appearances worldwide.

• Lincoln Cemetery
  The cemetery dates back to 1866, when a group called The Sons of Good Will formed to find a proper place to bury Gettysburg’s black dead. Thirty African-American veterans that served during the Civil War as U.S. Colored Troops are buried there.
• Dobbin House
  Besides being a fine restaurant and the oldest building in Gettysburg, the Dobbins House was a stop on the Underground railroad. It has a true 19th Century character and features a secret hiding place that was actually used by runaway slaves.
• Lincoln at Gettysburg Tour
  There are a lot of tour groups that bring groups to Gettysburg, offering complete packages. History America tours is one of the best. This tour is particularly exciting because it focuses primarily on Lincoln.