Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-11-10
Opening 81 the soldiers Cemetery At Get.
tysbuF2.

Opening 81 the soldiers Cemetery At Get.
tysburS.
We have received from David Wills, ESQ.
agent Of Governor Curtin, copy OF tho fol.
lowing letter addressed to Gov. c., relative te
the opening and conservation OF the cemetery
for the soldiers who were slam upon the battle
neld OF Gettysburg. on the 18th inst:
aErTYsBrRe, Nov. :, lst3 j.,
n Ats Ese>steecy a. e. Curtin.
Governor Of psprsVlron,,.
SIH: In accordance with previous arrange.
nents, vited proposals for tho disintermens
and burial OF ths soldier dead on the Gettysburg
battlefield, and awarded the contract to F. H
Biesecker, the lowest bidder, for 81 .59 per body
Tor the Whole work set forth in the speciftcs-
tons, Of which you have a copy. The con-
and has been reno wing about sixty bodies daily
II is done with the greatest care, and under the
strictest super vision, so as to avoid the posi-
bility Of an error in the marked graves.
The preparatory arrangements for the con-
secration OF the cemetery grounds have been
completed At your suggestion, and upon con-
sultation with representatives from the other
States. L have extended al invitation 10 the
President and Vice President Of the United
States, and the members or the Cabinet, TO par
ticipate IN the exercises on the 18th instant
have also invited Lieutenant General Scott
and Admiral Charles Stewart, the distinguished
and time honored representatives of the Army
and Navy.
have sen; an invitation 10 Major General
Meade, and through him 10 the officers and
privates OF the Army OF the Potomac to be
presen. and unite with in doing honor %
this last resting place OF their comrades.
1t seapns to me- very desirable and peculiarly
fitting and appropriate that these living com
1ades of those who fell nobly on this battle
field, made gloriously victorious through their
vaIor and blood, should be represented here,
and have taken the liberty to suggest to ths
Commanding General that II not altogether
incompatible with the movements OF the army
small delegations from each regiment or com.
l,.sYa 4
10 the remains Of those by whose sides thay 80
galIantlv fought L hope the request will be
ac,eGed TO-
Tie o. ders Of Free fiaaons and Odd Fellows
being the most prominent, charitable and
benz violent associations In the country have
Teen invited throughout the loyal states.
The military OF the department will be
present, under command uf Major General
Couch. There i'll be procession. formed i'm
the town, about III O'Clock in the morning. the
civic norton under The chic -marshalship OF
Hon. w. II. Lamon, United States Marshal for
the District of Columbia, assisted by the United
States Marshal from each district throughout
the loyal States. In addition to these, the Gov
ernor OF eacn State has appointed two assistant
marsha!s Vne procession will proceed to the
cemetery grounds, where prayer will be Of
fered by Rev. r. II. Stockton, chaplain Of the
United States Senate, and the grafton delivered
by Hon. Edward Everett. After this a dirge,
selected for the occasion by Professor LongfeI.
low, WIZ be sung by choir. This Will be
followed BY dedicatory remarks by the Presi-
dent OF the United States, setting apart the
grounds to the sacred use for which 1t has been
prepared. Each part Of the programme. will
be followed with music by one OF the several
bands which will be In attendance.
Most OF the Governors Of the eighteen States
having lots in the cemetery will be present In
person, with large delegations.
The odlcers Of the different railroads are
making extensive arrangements 70 afford proper
travelling facilities to the people, and think
that the combined efforts Of anumber OF COM
pantes will ineure accommodations over the
railroads.
The Gitizens OF the town OF Gettysburg will
generally open their houses, and do all in their
power to make every one comfortable; and the
accommodations which can be given here, to-
gether, with the opportunities which will be
afforded for leaving in the cars for York, Har.
risburg and Baltimore in the evening after the
exercises are over, will be sufficient for the
immense concourse OF people which will az.
sernble on this memorable occasion.
have the honor 10 be, with great respect,
your excellency's most obedient servant,
DAVID WILLs.