On December 5, 1863, a mere fortnight following President Lincoln’s iconic Gettysburg Address at the National Cemetery Dedication, a striking sketch graced the front page of “Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.” This sketch captures the solemn ceremony as observed from a vantage point near the present-day O.O. Howard equestrian monument on East Cemetery Hill. The paper sent its “special artist” and reporter, Joseph Becker, to cover the Gettysburg cemetery dedication ceremony. His sketches of the event were translated into engravings and printed in the popular pictorial newspaper.

In the foreground, one can discern what appears to be a bustling gathering resembling a congested parking area, with the multitude of attendees stretching across the Baltimore Pike and spilling into the Evergreen Cemetery grounds. Prominently featured is the Cemetery Gatehouse, and next to it is the majestic tulip poplar tree which can be seen in several original photographs from the period.  To the right of the tree is the large flag pole surrounded by troops and spectators and would later serve as the site for the erection of the Soldiers’ Monument.  To the left of the gatehouse you can clearly make out some of the graves and statuary that were already located in the cemetery and can be seen today.  Beyond the gatehouse and the tree stands the speaker’s platform, with the adjacent “comfort tent” to its left. The following is the full page version from the paper.

These images are great to use with students to introduce a topic or allow them to engage with primary sources.  This image provides a captivating window into history that can be a valuable educational tool for students. By examining this visual representation of a significant historical event, students can gain a deeper understanding of the atmosphere, scale, and significance of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the National Cemetery Dedication. They can analyze details, such as the crowd size, architecture, and landscape, to draw insights into the era’s social and cultural context. Additionally, this image can serve as a springboard for discussions on the power of visual storytelling in historical documentation, as well as how historical perspectives have evolved over time.