Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

[Hopkinja]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

Similarly, there was a lot of talk in the dying days of the war in Europe, die hard Nazis suggesting an "Alpine redoubt" to continue the fighting. But Adolph refused to leave Berlin.

All that means is that the first atomic bomb would have been dropped on Berchtesgaden, not Hiroshima.

Although the division of Europe between the communists and the west might not have happened because we'd have had a lot more leverage over Stalin.

Discuss.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

Interesting piece in the Wisconsin State Journal today about the many written drafts of the speech and the young AP reporter who sent one of those drafts out on the wire immediately afterward--the draft quoted below and inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial.

I'm embarrassed to say I'm too much of an idiot to provide the link.

I read a similar story in the Minneapolis paper, but I thought that story reported that the version inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial was actually the last version of the speech written, written some time in March of 1864, some four months after it was actually delivered, which I found strange, and was something I did not know.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

I read a similar story in the Minneapolis paper, but I thought that story reported that the version inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial was actually the last version of the speech written, written some time in March of 1864, some four months after it was actually delivered, which I found strange, and was something I did not know.

One of the copies written in Lincoln's handwriting is in the Cornell Library. Anybody with library privileges can go "check it out" to view in one of the rare manuscript viewing rooms. It's stored between panes of glass, so you don't touch the actual paper, but it's the next best thing. I did this on a few occasions with different friends while I was a student.

My memory could be hazy, but as I recall there are only 5 known copies in Lincoln's handwriting (2 at Library of Congress, 1 in Lincoln Room of White House, and 1 at a museum in Illinois, plus the one at Cornell, I think). They were all written by Lincoln after the fact - the notes/text he spoke from at Gettysburg were not preserved, so the copies are accurate only insofar as Lincoln himself recalled what he said.

 

[burd]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

I read a similar story in the Minneapolis paper, but I thought that story reported that the version inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial was actually the last version of the speech written, written some time in March of 1864, some four months after it was actually delivered, which I found strange, and was something I did not know.

That could be, Hovey. I think the article stated that this reporter was so transfixed by the short speech that he ceased taking notes and was able to wire the speech out only because Lincoln himself gave him a written draft. I will have to reread it. It may also be that Lincoln did not actually speak the exact words written on the draft he gave to this AP reporter.

Many people here in southern Wisconsin have visited the Lincoln presidential library in Springfield and told me what a fascinating experience it is.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

never mind- it's impossible to covince some people, and no point trying.

That would be the "Priceless Theorem?"

 

[streaker]

Re: Gettysburg Adress, Nov 18, 1863...

I think the soldiers who died after Gettysburg, saving the Union, will disagree rather strongly. The end may have been in sight, but there was considerable distance to travel.

Even assuming the game is over, the point about whether the Union could be saved is still a strong question to ask, after a war.

IIRC, Lincoln was upset with his generals who let Lee slip back to Virginia after the Gettysburg defeat instead of pursueing him. It is recognized as a tactical blunder that prolonged the war.