Gettysburg Penna. January 8th 1864 To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln President U. States Mr. President, I enclose you announcement of the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association. It would be a great gratification to the Officers and the gentlemen associated with them, in this effort, to have you to unite with them in the tenure of the Gettysburg Battlefield. The most lively interest is 'awakened in' Philadelphia, as you will see by the names of the gentleman composing the Committee for the City- and the effort is being extended to the whole state and beyond it. After subscribing please return the within paper. Yours with high esteem. D. McConaughy Secty. Prove., Comm [*29283*] D. McConaughy, Secty. Gettysburg Battle Field Monument Association - Gettysburg, Jany 8, 1964 Asks a subscription from the President in aid of the association. Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association. ANNOUNCEMENT. The preservation of the Battle-field of Gettysburg, with its natural and artificial defences, in the exact form and condition they presented in the battles of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of July last, is the purpose of the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. The history of its inception and plan is furnished in the accompanying correspondence and preliminary organization. An incorporation similar to that of a Monument Association is contemplated. To accomplish the design of its founders, a fund is to be created by the voluntary subscription by citizens of sums of money, to be divided into shares of $10, and for which suitable certificates will be issued. The fund thus created will be faithfully devoted to the object, under a management composed of gentlemen of well known business character and of public and private worth. What monumental work of art, what column or Mausoleum could furnish a more noble device, or a more fit, expressive, or sacred memorial, than these sense of immortal strife, which have become historic, and have taken their just position among the great places and events of the world's history, and are destined to a like immortality of fame? The Battle-grounds of Gettysburg-the Battle-field of Pennsylvania-the scenes of the only battles fought on the soil of the free North-the Battle-field of this second war of Independence, because the turning battle of the war, from which dates the downfall of the Rebellion - it appeals with mute eloquence to the great loyal heart of the people. To it all eyes turn as to a sacred spot, which should be guarded with religious care, and zealously preserved from disturbance, neglect, or decay, or the wasting of the elements. its every portion, its redoubts, its wondrously built stone defences, its timber breast-works, its forest heights, with the trees torn by shells and scarred by countless bullets - its long lines of earthwork defences -Cemetery Hill, McKnight's Hill, Culp's Hill, Granite Spur, Round Top - these have become sacred to all who love the Republic and delight to honor its brave defenders, whether among its living or its dead. Shall we not pay a just and grateful tribute to the heroic valor and signal triumphs of our army on this ever memorable battle-field? Shall we not contribute to the preservation of these standing memorials of the terrible struggles of the noble men who fought and conquered or fell on this field of bloody strife? Shall we not with an honorable emulation and sincere affection strive to perpetuate these witnesses of their brave deeds, and with intense devotion consecrate this battle ground, a field, both in its outlines and its consequences more grand than Waterloo? Let it be the shrine of loyalty and patriotism, whither in all times will come the sons of America, and the pilgrims of all lands, to view with wonder and veneration the sacred scenes of heroic struggles, in which were involved the life of the nation and the perpetuity of liberty. Who will not feel proud and glad to join in the tenure of these consecrated grounds, and to inscribe his name on the roll of honor which records this work of patriotic homage and devotion, and in performing this grateful office of loyalty, link his name with such sacred and imperishable associations? JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL, Chairman of Provisional Committee. D. McCONAUGHY. Secretary. CORRESPONDENCE. To REV. DR. C. P. KRAUTH, REV. DR. S. S. SCHMUCKER, HON. J. B. DANNER, REV. DR. CHARLES SCHAEFFER, T. D. CaARSON, ESQ., REV. JACOB ZIEGLER, R. G. McCREARY,, J. L. SCHICK, ESQS., and others. Gettysburg, August 14, 1863. GENTLEMEN:- Immediately after the battle of Gettysburg, the thought occurred to me that there could be no more fitting and expressive memorial of the heroic valor and signal triumphs of our army on the first, second, and third days of July, 1863, than the battle-field itself, with its natural and artificial defences, preserved and perpetuated in the exact form and condition they presented during the battle. Acting at once upon this idea, I commenced negotiations, and have secured the purchase of some of the most striking and interesting portions of the battle ground, embracing among those the heights of Cemetery Hill, on the centre, which resisted the fiercest assaults of the enemy: the granite spur of Round Top, on the left, with its massive rocks and wonderful stone defences, constructed by the Pennsylvania Reserves; and the timber breastworks, on the right, extending for a mile upon the wooded heights of Wolf Hill, whose trees exhibit the fearful effects of our musketry fire. Other portions of the field can also be procured. In pursuance of the original purpose, I now propose to the patriotic citizens of Pennsylvania to unite with me in the tenure of the sacred grounds of this battle-field at their actual cost. In order that all may participate who will, the amount of a single share will be limited to ten dollars. Committees may be named in the cities and large towns, throughout the State, to whom reference and application can be made. It is also suggested that an association be formed and an Act of Incorporation be procured from our State Legislature, granting powers similar to those of a Monument Association. It is not designed to limit the number of shared which any citizen may subscribe, as the more generous the fund the more liberal the bounds of this sacred patrimony which it is proposed to perpetuate. I respectfully submit the subject to your consideration, and should it meet the approval of your judgement, invite your active co-operation and influence in behalf of the Gettysburg Battle-field memorial project. With sentiments of esteem, &e., D. McCONAUGHY. [2] Gettysburg, August 18th, 1863. D. McCONAUGHY, ESQ.: DEAR SIR: - We have read with no ordinary interest the delineation of your happy and patriotic conception to commemorate the heroic valor of our national forces in the recent battle of Gettysburg, by the perpetuation of the battle-grounds, with their natural and artificial defences, undisturbed. We entertain, in common with you, the sentiment that these ever memorable battles, fought on the 1st, 2d, and 3d days of July last, in which the arms of the United States were crowned with signal victory, to the great joy of the Nation, deserve commemoration to the latest posterity, in every way in which such triumphs can be consecrated. Fought, as they were, in defense of Republican Government and well regulated Freedom, these battle-fields are adapted to perpetuate the great principles of human Liberty and just government in the minds of our descendants, and of all men who in all time shall visit them. We, therefore, highly approve, and will cheerfully unite in the plan proposed by you, believe it to be the best method of accomplishing the much desired end - the preservation of the standing memorials of the terrible struggles and almost superhuman achievements of our troops in the greatest battle recorded in the annals of the world. With sentiments of esteem, Your fellow-citizens, C. P. KRAUTH, ROBERT G. HARPER, CHARLES F. SCHAEFFER, R. G. McCREARY, H. L. BAUGHER, T. D. CARSON, M. JACOBS, CHARLES HORNER, T. P. BUCHER, EDW. G. FAHNESTOCK, A. ESSICK, C. H. BUEHLER, DAVID McCREARY, F. A. MUHLENBERG, S. S. SCHMUCKER, J. B. DANNER, M. L. STOEVER, H. S. HUBER, JACOB ZEIGLER, D. A. BUEHLER, JNO. R. WARNER, GEO. ARNOLD, J. L. SCHICK, A. D. BEHLER, G. BERKSTRESSER, JNO. T. McILHENNY, JAS. F. FAHNESTOCK. THE GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD ASSOCIATION- ITS ORGANIZATION. At a meeting of a number of citizens of Gettysburg, held on the evening of Saturday, the 5th day of September, 1863, for the purpose of taking measures with a view to the preservation of the Battle-grounds of Gettysburg, on motion, D. McCONAUGHY, ESQ., was called to preside, and T. D. CARSON, ESQ., chosen Secretary. After the presentation of the object of the meeting by the Chair, on motion of REV. DR. C. P. KRAUTH, seconded by REV. DR. S. S. SCHMUCKER, the following action was taken:- PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. WHEREAS, The Battles of Gettysburg of the 1st, 2nd, and 3d of July last, are the Battles of Pennsylvania, in defense of the nation against the Rebellion, and are not only the greatest of the battles fought within the loyal States, but the great battles of the war waged for the preservation of the life of the Republic; and WHEREAS, The citizens of Pennsylvania should regard with peculiar emotions of patriotic pride, the Battle grounds which are the eloquent memorials of those grand struggles and triumphs of the arms of the Union, which mark an era from which to date the downfall of the Rebellion; and WHEREAS, The preservation of these battle-fields is adapted to perpetuate, in the minds of men, those great principles of human Liberty and Republican government, in whose defense they became consecrated grounds. Therefore, Resolved, That in order to secure and perpetuate the Battle-grounds of Gettysburg, with their natural and artificial defences, preserved in their actual form and condition at the time of the battles, we adopt immediate measures to effect the organization of the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION, and to create a fund by subscription - the shares to consist of ten dollars each. Resolved, That a Provisional Committee be appointed, to consist of citizens of Pennsylvania , with power to elect from their number an Executive Committee, and to take immediate active measures for the purpose of procuring subscriptions to the fund, and to that end to appoint Local Committees in the several cities and large towns throughout the State. Resolved, That so soon as an adequate fund is subscribed, and at a time to be fixed by the Provisional Committee, the several Local Committees shall proceed to call together the subscribers, in their several localities, to elect Trustees, who shall meet at Gettysburg on the call of the Provisional Committee, and proceed to the organization of the Association. Resolved, That said Trustees shall elect from their number a Board of Management, to have the charge and conduct of the affairs of the Association, subject to the control of the Trustees, until an incorporation and organization under it shall be effected. Resolved, That the Provisional Committee and the Trustees use prompt and active efforts to procure from the State Legislature an act of incorporation. Resolved, That the gentlemen whose names appear in the preliminary correspondence constitute the members of the Provisional Committee from Gettysburg, and that the officers are instructed to add to the committee citizens from the various portions of the State. [3] OFFICERS. Hon. JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL, Chairman Provisional Committee. REV. DR. S. S. SCHMUCKER,} Vice-Chairmen. REV. J. ZIEGLER,} T. D. CARSON, Treasurer. D. McCONAUGHY, Secretary. Executive Committee--Gettysburg. HON. J. B DANNER, J. L. SCHICK, D. A. BUEHLER, D. McCONAUGHY, R. G. McCREARY, GEORGE ARNOLD, T. D. CARSON. Local Committee-Philadelphia. HENRY C. CAREY, Chairman. EDMUND A. SOUDER, Treasurer, S. A. MERCER, N. B. BROWNE, J. G. FELL, CHARLES E. SMITH, S. M. FELTON, W. H. ASHHURST, JAY COOKE, CHAS. J. STILLE, A. J. DREXEL, OSWALD THOMPSON, GEORGE K. ZEIGLER, J. B. LIPPINCOTT, WILLIAM BRADFORD, AUBREY H. SMITH, JOHN W. FORNEY, SOLOMON ROBERTS, GEO. F. LEE, HENRY C. BAIRD, Secretary. H. COPPEE, DR. D. GILBERT, GEORGE H. BOKER, JAMES L CLAGHORN, EDWD. W. CLARK, REV. E. W. HUTTER, WILLIAM STRONG, FERDINAND J DREER, JNO. A. McALLISTER, GEO. W. CHILDS, JOHN H. DOHNERT, MORTON McMICHAEL, W. W. HARDING, GIBSON PEACOCK, JOHN O. JAMES MORTON P. HENRY, DAN'L. DOUGHERTY. SUBSCRIPTION. We, the undersigned, hereby subscribe the sums set opposite to our names, to consist of shares of $10.00, to the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL FUND, payable on receipt of a certificate, and to be applied by the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION to the purposes of its organization, as set forth in the foregoing preamble and resolutions. NAMES $ Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.