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PRESENTATION AND UNVEILING 
 
 OF THE 
 COMMEMORATING 
 
 THE LINCOLN AND 
 BURNS EVENT 
 
 (NOVEMBER 19, 1863) 
 
 
 HELD AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 GETTYSBURG, PA., NOV. 19TH, 1914. 
 
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 ©JU420768 
 
 FEB 14 19(6 
 
 
 

THE 
 LINCOLN AND BURNS 
 
 EVENT 
 
The contents of this booklet in great 
 part from the "Gettysburg Com- 
 piler" issue, November 28, 191 4. 
 
 / COPYRIGHT, 1916 \ 
 
 V J. W. JOHNSTON, ROCHESTER, N. Y. / 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED. DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE PRESS. 
 
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 PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
THE LINCOLN AND BURNS EVENT 
 
 MEMORIAL TABLETS UNVEILED IN 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Unique Ceremony in which Recollections of a 
 Number of Citizens were Given. 
 
 The Fifty-first Anniversary of President 
 Lincoln and John Burns attending the Presby- 
 terian Church in Gettysburg, Pa., on the evening 
 of November 19, 1863, when Lieutenant Gov- 
 ernor-elect Anderson, of Ohio, made an address 
 in the church, was appropriately observed on 
 Thursday evening, Nov. 19, 1914. The Tablets 
 unveiled marking the pew in which Lincoln and 
 Burns sat were donated by John White Johnston, 
 of Rochester, N. Y., and the Tablet on outside of 
 church was presented by Col. E. B. Cope. The 
 church was crowded and there was a good rep- 
 
 Page J 
 
reservation of those who lived in the town fifty- 
 one years ago and of a few who had attended the 
 exercises at that time. 
 
 The exercises were opened by a solo, "Battle 
 Hymn of the Republic", by J. S. Nicholas. 
 
 Rev. J. B. Baker, pastor of St. James 
 Lutheran Church offered prayer. 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 
 
 Page 
 
ADDRESS OF DR. T. G. BILLHEIMER. 
 
 Dr. T. C. Billheimer made the first address on 
 "Lincoln" at Gettysburg". In opening Dr. Bill- 
 heimer stated that he would limit his remarks to 
 the presence of President Lincoln in the Presby- 
 terian Church, saying : "It was on the afternoon 
 of the day on which the address had been deliv- 
 ered I was standing on the pavement on the oppo- 
 site side of the street when the procession came 
 headed for this church. We had been told that 
 President Lincoln and a few of the great men of 
 Washington would be there. I stood on the pave- 
 ment but did not have to wait long until the pro- 
 cession came. The only thing that has remained 
 in my memory is President Lincoln and John 
 Burns walking side by side up the street to this 
 church. 
 
 The President was a tall man and Mr. Burns 
 a small man and as they came along I was 
 amused. I could not help being amused. I 
 laughed and laughed aloud. Lincoln took enor- 
 mous strides and Mr. Burns could not take 
 strides like that. He could not keep step with the 
 President. 
 
 I instantly resolved that I would get into this 
 church and I was not more than ten feet behind 
 
 Page 3 
 
President Lincoln. Several pews had been re- 
 served for the distinguished party. Mr. Lincoln 
 went up the right or south aisle and stopped at 
 the first vacant pew, instead of going to the front 
 pew, and he stepped aside to allow three or four 
 of his party to enter the pew, and then took the 
 aisle seat. John Burns sat beside President 
 Lincoln. I sat several pews behind the President 
 but on the other side of the aisle and in an aisle 
 seat. My eyes were glued upon the President. I 
 had never seen a live President and never one 
 like Lincoln, whose greatness was on every 
 tongue. I fixed my eyes on him, sometimes I had 
 a rear view, sometimes a side view when he 
 turned and I never took my eyes from him. I 
 can not recollect what the speaker said nor can 
 I tell what the speaker looked like. I only know 
 I kept my eyes on President Lincoln all the time. 
 When the address was over the audience was 
 asked to remain standing until President Lincoln 
 and his party left the church. I stood up in my 
 pew as this great man walked towards me and 
 fixed my eyes on that marvelous face. I can 
 vouch for the fact that President Lincoln was 
 in this church that day because I saw him and 
 what a man sees he can stand by. I think you 
 are as near right in selecting the pew as can be. 
 In closing may I say I am glad I saw him. I am 
 
 Page I 
 
glad I was permitted to behold a man like Presi- 
 dent Lincoln. This is not the only time I saw 
 Lincoln but somehow his presence here made an 
 impression on me that has never left me." 
 
 * * * * * * * :': 
 
 ENGRAVED BY WILLIAM PERINE. 
 
 JOHN BURNS. 
 
 Col. James K. P. Scott, of Gettysburg, the 
 esteemed and honored friend of Lyman Whitney 
 Allen, read the Poem "John Burns of Gettys- 
 burg". 
 
 Page 5 
 
JOHN BURNS OF GETTYSBURG. 
 
 There near the buildings of MacPherson's farm, 
 
 Beside the road, on graven granite base, 
 
 A form in bronze is standing. All who pass 
 
 Pause reverently, and rehearse the tale 
 
 Of the old Constable of Gettysburg, 
 
 Who, as the First Corps moved along the pike, 
 
 Strode forth and claimed the soldier's privilege. 
 
 He wore no uniform. Civilian hat 
 
 Shadowed his whitened hair and shaggy brow. 
 
 A simple suit, which he was wont to use 
 
 In daily civic service, clothed his form. 
 
 A rifle in his hand, a powder horn 
 
 Across his shoulder swung, his pockets filled 
 
 With shot for instant use, his aged frame 
 
 Quivering with hate and valor, — thus he stood, 
 
 'Mid martial laughter, scorning wounds and death. 
 
 Who could restrain or who could chide him there, — 
 
 That incarnation of the People's soul? 
 
 Into the fight he plunged, — that stubborn fight 
 
 Where warriors strove contesting inch by inch 
 
 The earth fast licking up heroic blood 
 
 And mutinous with shock of falling forms. 
 
 He fought as only aged men can fight 
 
 Whose second youth hath risen through violence. 
 
 He faltered not, but standing recklessly 
 
 He poured his eager shot into the foe, 
 
 Laying a gray-hued harvest round his feet. 
 
 At last, thrice wounded, he was borne away 
 Ready to die, undying, living on 
 Into the Nation's peace full many a year, 
 And known afar, "Hero of Gettysburg." 
 
 Page 6 
 
And they who, like the captains of brave men. 
 E'er love and praise what in the old man's soul 
 Rose on that day a glory wrought of God, 
 And know it as the Nation's altar fire 
 Within a People's millioned hearts and homes, 
 Have placed yon statue bold upon the field 
 Near to the gallant Reynolds, symbol true 
 Of civic patriotism. 'Twas well done. 
 
 II 
 
 When later in that following Autumn tide, 
 
 The afternoon of that immortal day 
 
 Of dedication of the Cemetery, 
 
 Swathed in the splendor of his great address 
 
 Lincoln walked forth to the historic church 
 
 For worshipful exalting of God's grace, 
 
 'Twas this same patriotic Constable 
 
 Who trod beside him, sat in the same pew, 
 
 Received from the Republic's honored Chief 
 
 High recognition ne'er to be forgot, 
 
 A coronal of sweet remembrance. 
 
 And in the historic church, 'midst memories 
 
 Of soldier mounds and healing oil and wine 
 
 Poured forth at hands of Good Samaritans, 
 
 A Tablet, gift of patriot reverence, 
 
 Fell one and fifty years thereafter placed, 
 
 Adorns the pew, and tells both name and fame 
 
 Of the immortals who were seated there. 
 
 And they who worship there from week to week 
 Feel a fine atmosphere of sacredness 
 Fanning the incense flames of sacrifice, 
 Waking new music in the house of praise. 
 
 LYMAN WHITNEY ALLEN. 
 
 Page 7 
 
PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 REV. HENRY GRAHAM FINNEY, 
 
 Pastor, Presbyterian Church, 
 
 Gettysburg, Pa— 1861-1864. 
 
 Page 
 
PRESENTATION ADDRESS OF 
 
 COL. E. B. COPE, READ BY 
 
 JUDGE S. McG. SWOPE. 
 
 Judge S. McC. Swope, representing Col. E. 
 B. Cope, who was unable to be present on account 
 of illness, then read the letter presenting the Lin- 
 coln Tablet on the outside of the church, as 
 follows : 
 
 "I was not at Gettysburg when the National 
 Cemetery was dedicated. I had a small party 
 of topographers here August, September and 
 October, 1863. So we just missed the dedication. 
 
 The President attended this church on that 
 occasion and many of the members and others 
 thought it proper that a Tablet should be put up 
 to state this. I consulted with the pastor and 
 some of the congregation, and as a representative 
 of the session prepared a design for a Tablet with 
 inscription, which, with some changes, was ap- 
 proved. I had this cast in bronze, and put on the 
 front of the building. 
 
 I take pleasure in presenting this Tablet to the 
 church. 
 
 E. B. COPE." 
 
 Page 9 
 
PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 COL. E. B. COPE 
 
 [Col. Cope enlisted June 4, 1861, in Co. A, 1st 
 Penna. Reserve Division and was promoted to 
 sergeant about 1862 and transferred three 
 months later to Co. C, 5th U. S. Regular Artil- 
 lery. He returned to the original Division, then 
 detailed by order of Gen. Halleck to the Topo- 
 graphical Engineer Headquarters of the Army of 
 the Potomac. Served under Gen. Warren, Chief 
 
 Pare 10 
 
of Engineers. Promoted to captain and A. D. C. 
 on Warren's staff, who was put in command of 
 the 5th Corps, and served in that capacity until 
 Maj. Roebling resigned to build the Brooklyn 
 Bridge when he was given his rank and place, 
 i. e., Major and A. D. C, and about the close of 
 the war was given the brevet rank of Lieut. Col. 
 He was mustered out July, 1865. His commis- 
 sion bears the name of Abraham Lincoln. He 
 came to Gettysburg in July, 1893, as Chief En- 
 gineer of the Gettysburg National Park.] 
 
 The organist played softly the music of "My 
 Country Tis of Thee" while two little girls, 
 Martha Bell and Katherine Hill, dressed in white 
 and with red, white and blue ribbons, unveiled 
 the flag, with autumnal foliage, from the Lincoln 
 and Burns Memorial Tablets on the pew in the 
 church. 
 
 UNVEILING OF THE TABLETS 
 ON LINCOLN PEW. 
 
 Rev. F. E. Taylor, pastor of the Presbyterian 
 Church, said the interest of this community is 
 shown in the presence of the audience, this even- 
 ing, as a tribute to the great men who were here 
 
 Page U 
 
IOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 FRANKLIN ELLSWORTH TAYLOR, 
 
 Pastor, Presbyterian Church, 
 Gettysburg, Pa. 1911—. 
 
 fifty-one years ago. That the pew is now marked 
 is due to J. W. Johnston of Rochester, and the 
 tablet on the outside to Col. E. B. Cope. 
 
 Mr. Johnston, being introduced, spoke as 
 follows : 
 
 Page 7. 
 
PRESENTATION ADDRESS OF 
 JOHN WHITE JOHNSTON. 
 
 "No poor words of mine on this occasion can 
 add to the truth nor to the beauty of what has 
 already been said, nor to what will be said by the 
 speakers who are to follow me, relative to the 
 greatness of the two men in whose memory these 
 Tablets are now unveiled. 
 
 John Burns was of my kith. He was of 
 humble birth and station, a humble artisan, a 
 servant of this little town, which by his heroism 
 at an hour of the country's greatest need, he 
 helped to make celebrated and known to the ends 
 of the earth. Incidentally, he also helped to make 
 the name 'Gettysburg' synonymous with the 
 thought of the perpetuation of the union of these 
 American States. 
 
 It is with all the fullness of my heart, Mr. 
 Chairman and Gentlemen of the Board of Trus- 
 tees, that I bestow upon you as the representa- 
 tives of this congregation, these Tablets to have 
 and to hold by you and your successors while 
 this sacred edifice stands and remains a haven of 
 devotion for those who love the name of Christ 
 
 Page 13 
 
and for those who love the names of Abraham 
 Lincoln and John Burns. 
 
 It is in recognition and as a mark of the great 
 President's democracy; in the acknowledgement 
 of a simple act of kindness on his part; also, in 
 appreciation of Lincoln's unbounded love for his 
 fellow man, that these memorials now pass into 
 the possession of this church, honored for all 
 time by the great Emancipator's presence here 
 just fifty-one years ago. 
 
 In taking the arm of the humble, yet the truly 
 brave and ever patriotic, John Burns and in 
 sitting beside him in the pew now appropriately 
 marked — after having spoken his immortal words 
 at the Cemetery of the honored dead — Abraham 
 Lincoln, the man of the people, the man of God, 
 again subscribed to his faith in the creed of an- 
 other Burns, who said in words more enduring 
 than letters of bronze : 
 
 "For a' that, and a' that, 
 
 It's coming yet, for a' that. 
 That man to man, the warld o'er 
 Shall brothers be for a' that !" 
 
 Page 14 
 
PHOTO BY PIRIE MAC DONALD, N. Y. 
 
 JOHN WHITE JOHNSTON. 
 
 Pare 15 
 
ACCEPTANCE OF 
 
 MEMORIAL TABLETS 
 
 BY REV. F. E. TAYLOR. 
 
 "On Thursday, November 19, 1914, we com- 
 memorate the meeting held in this building, and 
 attended by President Lincoln and his staff, ac- 
 companied by the patriot, John Burns, on Thurs- 
 day, November 19, 1863. 
 
 But for the initiative of Mr. David Wills, 
 we would not be assembled for this significant 
 service. As President of the Soldiers' National 
 Cemetery Association at Gettysburg, Judge Wills 
 had charge of all the arrangements for the dedi- 
 cation of the Cemetery, and it was on his official 
 invitation that President Lincoln came to Gettys- 
 burg on that occasion. 
 
 Judge Wills suggested and was largely instru- 
 mental in bringing to fruition the patriotic meet- 
 ing which was held in this church on the day of 
 the dedication of the Cemetery. 
 
 He entertained President Lincoln in his home 
 on Centre Square, and arranged that Mr. Lincoln 
 attend this meeting here. 
 
 Grateful acknowledgement of these facts is 
 
 Page 16 
 
owed Judge Wills and we mention them as a 
 fitting tribute to him. 
 
 During the celebration of the Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary of the Battle of Gettysburg special serv- 
 ices were held in this church and on the happy 
 suggestion of Dr. C. B. Stauffer, then chairman 
 of the Trustees, the silk flag presented to the 
 Sunday School by the State Convention of the 
 Women's Relief Corps, was used to mark the 
 pew occupied by President Lincoln at the meet- 
 ing in '63. 
 
 Mr. J. W. Johnston, of Rochester, N. Y., an 
 enthusiastic student and lecturer on this battle, 
 was one of the many attendants on that occa- 
 sion, and evidently carried away a patriotic idea. 
 The Pastor of the church participated with others 
 on request of Mr. Johnston, in a memorial serv- 
 ice at the grave of John Burns on last July 2nd, 
 just fifty-one years after his heroism at the great 
 battle. 
 
 For this service Mr. Johnston wrote his 
 friend, Mr. J. Louis Sowers, offering through 
 him to the pastor and congregation of this 
 church a memorial Tablet for the Lincoln Memo- 
 rial pew. This offer revived an idea which had 
 been frequently discussed by local friends of the 
 church — that of placing a Lincoln Tablet on the 
 front of the church. After the marker to the 
 
 Page 17 
 
Cavalry hospitals, now in place on the front ter- 
 race, was assured, at a meeting of Session the 
 placing of a Tablet near the entrance door of the 
 church was earnestly considered. All thought it 
 should be done. Col. E. B. Cope announced that 
 he would place it, and in due time the Tablet, the 
 gift of Col. Cope, was erected. It bears this 
 inscription : 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 
 Occupied a Seat in this Church 
 
 November 19, 1863 
 
 On the Day He Dedicated the 
 
 National Cemetery and Made His 
 
 Immortal Address. 
 
 This Tablet had just been placed when Mr. 
 Johnston's offer came to us. I need not tell you 
 that his proffered gift was heartily accepted. 
 
 In the correspondence which followed, the 
 idea grew in Mr. Johnston's mind. First he 
 offered a Tablet to mark the panel of the Lincoln 
 pew, then a Tablet to the memory of John Burns, 
 and, later, a second plate to Mr. Lincoln, marking 
 the back of the pew. Accordingly we unveil 
 three Tablets in the church this evening. One on 
 the back of the pew bears these words : 
 
 THE LINCOLN PEW 
 
 Page 18 
 
A large Tablet on the panel of the end of 
 the pew carries the inscription : 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 
 Sat in this Pew at a Patriotic 
 
 Service held on the Evening of 
 
 the Day He Dedicated the 
 
 National Cemetery 
 
 A third Tablet marks the seat occupied by 
 John Burns, and declares: 
 
 JOHN BURNS 
 
 Scottish American Patriot 
 
 A Hero of the Battle of Gettysburg 
 
 Was Here Signally Honored by 
 
 the Great President 
 
 Abraham Lincoln and John Burns 
 walked arm in arm to patriotic ser- 
 vices held in this edifice on the evening 
 of Nov. 19th, 1863. They sat together 
 in this pew. 
 
 The unanimous sentiment of this congrega- 
 tion and, I may say, of this community, is one of 
 abounding gratitude to the generous and disinter- 
 ested donors of these memorials. 
 
 The position taken by President Lincoln, pew 
 64, has been fixed after a canvass and a careful 
 consideration by the trustees of all the state- 
 ments that have been made to them. 
 
 In behalf of the Presbyterian Church and of 
 the entire community I accept these memorial 
 
 Page 19 
 
Tablets, the gift of Col. E. B. Cope and Mr. J 
 W. Johnston, and express the most hearty appre- 
 ciation of the people at Gettysburg for these abid- 
 ing memorials to our martyred and exalted Presi- 
 dent and to a patriot hero here so highly honored. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■BP^Sk 
 
 Wmw0WH&' ' 'MQt' 
 
 PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 THE LINCOLN PEW 
 
 P«P7? 20 
 
VOCAL SOLO BY MR. NICHOLAS. 
 
 J. S. Nicholas then sang the "Star Spangled 
 Banner''. 
 
 ADDRESS BY JUDGE WM. MacLEAN. 
 
 John Burns was born in New Jersey in 1794, 
 came to Pennsylvania, followed the trade of 
 shoemaker, was elected one of the two Constables 
 of the borough of Gettysburg, March 20, 1857, 
 and made his regular quarterly returns to the 
 Court of Quarter Sessions. Several of his re- 
 turns as constable were exhibited showing his 
 signature. Some of the characteristics of Burns 
 as being a man without humor, and the butt of 
 many jokes of his fellow townsmen were re- 
 ferred to. Passing over the important event of 
 his participation as a civilian in the Battle of 
 Gettysburg, July 1st, 1863, and of his accompany- 
 ing President Lincoln to the meeting held in this 
 church on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 19th, 
 1863, we find that he made his last will and testa- 
 ment in writing, bearing date the 13th day of 
 Jan., 1872; that his death occurred shortly after 
 that date, within thirty days, his will being pro- 
 
 /'ao-e 21 
 
bated on the 7th day of February, 1872, before 
 the Register of Wills of Adams County, his will 
 being witnessed by David A. Buehler and Robert 
 McCurdy. His wife, Barbara, had pre-deceased 
 him about four years, and she was some five 
 years his junior in age. He and his wife are 
 both buried on the southern slope of our beauti- 
 ful city of the dead, and our Post No. 9, G. A. R., 
 erected over their graves a becoming granite 
 monument, having on its base the significant and 
 appropriate word "Patriot". His estate accord- 
 ing to the inventory and appraisement thereof is 
 as follows: 
 
 1— One gun $ 5.00 
 
 2— Cane 3.00 
 
 3— Stove 4.00 
 
 4— Bedstead 1.00 
 
 5 — Box Books .25 
 
 6 — 46 acres real estate in 
 Mt. Pleasant Township 
 at $33 per acre 1518.00 
 
 $1531.25 
 
 His entire personal estate being of the value 
 of $13.25. 
 
 By his will he bequeathed to Mary Jane Wil- 
 son, daughter of his adopted daughter, Martha, 
 and living at the date of his will with Henry 
 Chritzman in Gettysburg, the sum of $800, and 
 providing that should this girl die without marry- 
 
 Pane 22 
 
ing or before she becomes twenty-one years of 
 age, the bequest is to become void and the legacy 
 is to revert to -his estate, and then he gives all his 
 estate to the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church of Gettysburg to be appropriated by them 
 as they may deem best, in advancing and promot- 
 ing the cause of religion in connection with the 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 Of this will he appointed Robert Martin of 
 Gettysburg the executor, and authorized him to 
 sell all his real and personal estate at public or 
 private sale as he may deem best. 
 
 The Methodist Church could not have re- 
 ceived the legacy of $800 under the law on 
 account of the short interval between the making 
 of the will and the death of the testator. The 
 $800 was distributed to Mary Jane Wilson who 
 in 1875 was a minor under the age of fourteen 
 years and Robert D. Armor was appointed her 
 trustee by the ( )rphans' Court of this county. 
 
 The death of John L. Burns occurred at the 
 residence of a nephew, Mr. Hagarman, near 
 Bonneauville, this county on Sunday morning, 
 February 4, 1872, from pneumonia, after a short 
 attack. His body was interred in the Evergreen 
 Cemetery on Monday with the honors of war, the 
 Gettysburg Zuoaves turning out on the occasion. 
 His age was about seventy-eight years. He came 
 
 I'aze 23 
 
to this country more than forty years before his 
 death and married here. His connection with the 
 Battle of Gettysburg served to "spread his fame 
 throughout the land" and it becoming known that 
 he was without means, brought him many con- 
 tributions, aggregating several thousand dollars. 
 
 MR. J. LOUIS SOWERS, MR. J. W. JOHNSTON 
 and REV. F. E. TAYLOR 
 
 at the Grave of John L. Burns, Nov. 20. 1914 
 
 /'a^e 24 
 
Residents of Gettysburg and vicinity photo- 
 graphed at the unveiling of the Memorials, who 
 in several instances recalled the visit of Abraham 
 Lincoln to Gettysburg in 1863, were as follows :— 
 
 Mr. Oliver H. Benner 
 Mrs. Annie E. Cobean 
 Mr. Henry Dustman 
 Mr. John Hamilton 
 Miss Mary Kendlehart 
 Mrs. Jacob Kitz miller 
 Mrs. Theo MacAlister 
 Hon. Wm. MacLean 
 Rev. Robert MacLean 
 Miss Kate McCreary 
 Mr. James MacIlhenny 
 Mr. John K. MacIlhenny 
 Mr. Wm. A. MacIlhenny 
 Mr. Oscar D. MacMillan 
 Mr. John E. Pitzer 
 Mr. David Plank 
 Mr. Samuel D. Reck 
 Mrs. Ellen Rupp 
 Miss Amanda Sandoe 
 Mr. Daniel A. Skelly 
 Mrsi 1. S. Stoxesifer 
 Mrs. Wm. Tawney 
 
 Page 25 
 
PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 GROUP OF GETTYSBURG RESIDENTS 
 
 Several of whom recalled the Lincoln-Burns Event of 1863 
 on the occasion of the unveiling of the Tahlets, 1914. 
 
 Page 26 
 
REMINISCENCES. 
 
 Reminiscences closed the meeting by residents 
 of Gettysburg who remembered the exercises at 
 the dedication at the National Cemetery, Nov. 
 19th, 1863, and the patriotic services at the 
 church following, when Abraham Lincoln, the 
 President, signally honored John Burns, the man, 
 and John Burns, the soldier. The first was a 
 letter from Hon. Wm. T. Ziegler, read by Prof. 
 J. Louis Sowers : 
 
 CAPT. ZIEGLER'S LETTER. 
 
 Gettysburg, Pa., Nov. 19, 1914. 
 
 I sincerely thank you for your very kind invi- 
 tation to be with you to-night but after my recent 
 severe illness, I deem it best not to venture out 
 after night unless it be absolutely necessary. 
 
 The object of your meeting is a noble one. 
 The Church at Alexandria, Va., and St. Michael's 
 Church at Charleston, S. C, point with pride 
 to the pew where the Father of our Country sat 
 and worshipped God. So in centuries to come, 
 the Presbyterian Church in Gettysburg will point 
 with pride to the pew in which Abraham 
 Lincoln sat, and thanked God for our victory at 
 Gettysburg. 
 
 Page 27 
 
Too much cannot be said in eulogy of this 
 great man, whom God had raised up in the 
 wilderness of a new nation for the special pur- 
 pose to restore our nation and place it on a foun- 
 dation that cost the blood of a half million men 
 to build, and where let us hope, it will forever 
 stand. 
 
 I am glad in my soul that away back more 
 than fifty-three years ago, I answered his first 
 appeal for three year volunteers, and helped to 
 shout back to him, 'We are coming Father 
 Abraham, 300,000 strong". 
 
 Your work to-night is a worthy tribute to a 
 great and good man, whom we are all so proud of. 
 
 So far as John Burns is concerned, I am 
 proud that he was a citizen of our town, and I 
 believe every person living here feels just as I 
 do, and if I were with you to-night, I know no 
 words I could utter in the praise of this Hero of 
 Gettysburg, more suitable at this time, than to 
 read to you what Gen. Doubleday said of him in 
 his official report of the first day's battle on July 
 1st, 1863. 
 
 Concerning John Burns, he said : "My thanks 
 are specially due to a citizen of Gettysburg, 
 named John Burns who, although over seventy 
 years of age, shouldered his musket and offered 
 his services to Colonel Wistar of the 150th Penn- 
 
 Page 28 
 
sylvania Volunteers. Col. Wistar advised him to 
 light in the woods as there was more shelter 
 there but he preferred to join our line of 
 skirmishers in the open held. 
 
 When the troops retired he fought with the 
 Iron Brigade. He was wounded in three places. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 A. DOUBLED AY, 
 Maj. Gen. of Volunteers. 
 
 To Brigadier General S. Williams, 
 Asst. Adjutant General, Headquar- 
 ters Army of the Potomac." 
 
 With much respect, I am, 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 W. T. ZIEGLER, 
 
 Page 29 
 
HON. WM. H. TIPTON. 
 
 I do not think that I should consume any of 
 the valuable time that appears to be so limited, 
 and especially when there are others here whose 
 reminiscences would be more interesting. Owing 
 to my youth and inexperience I was incapable of 
 fully appreciating the important events that were 
 transpiring, but my eagerness to see and hear the 
 President — whom I regarded as much above all 
 other men, and second only to the Almighty — 
 centered all my attention on Mr. Lincoln and no 
 word or movement of his escaped my attention. 
 
 I had heard that Mr. Lincoln was the 
 homeliest man in the country, but when my eyes 
 beheld that sad but kindly countenance, those 
 strong rugged features seemed handsome to me. 
 I did not see him come to this church nor did I 
 see him here. While leaning out of the window 
 of our business place, and almost immediately 
 above him, I heard the few remarks he made 
 from the steps of Judge Wills' home on the 
 evening of Nov. 18. I saw him ride to the 
 cemetery; and heard his great address and my 
 recollection is that there was but slight applause 
 at its conclusion. Mr. Lincoln's sad face and 
 
 Page 30 
 
the solemnity of the occasion, seemed to forbid 
 any excessive demonstration. 
 
 John Burns I knew from early childhood, and 
 enjoyed many of the pranks that were played 
 upon him by the workmen in the various carriage 
 building shops. With the other mischievous boys 
 of that time I did my share of lively sprinting 
 when the old borough Constable detected us at 
 our pranks. 
 
 I saw John Burns start out the old road with 
 his flint lock and powder horn on the morning of 
 July 1, 1863. With a party of boys I had started 
 for Seminary Ridge and we were standing oppo- 
 site his home at the house now occupied by 
 David McGuigan. I recollect that in the party 
 with others were Harry Schick, Wesley Kitz- 
 miller, Alex. Baugher and possibly Geo. Ziegler 
 and Charles Sheads. The two latter I know were 
 with us when we skedaddled back to town after 
 the battle opened. 
 
 John Burns became very abusive to Joseph 
 Broadhead, a one-eyed neighbor of his, insisting 
 on his getting a gun and going along and upon his 
 refusal called him a "coward — chicken-hearted." 
 Miss Mary Slentz hearing Burns came out of her 
 home next door and rebuked him for his abuse 
 of Broadhead and advised him to stay home. 
 
 Page 31 
 
When he started out he may have worn a blue 
 coat, but we did not see it as he wore a long 
 linen duster. The white hat is a myth ; he wore 
 a high crowned felt hat. The last of that particu- 
 lar pattern that I can now recall was worn by 
 Alexander Cobean, which was doubtless familiar 
 to many who are here. I assisted in photograph- 
 ing him a few days after the battle at his home, 
 and after he was convalescent, at the studio. A 
 few years later I got to know him well. We asso- 
 ciated in an organization to which we both be- 
 longed, the Sons of Temperance. He was a 
 zealous advocate of the temperance cause. On 
 that early day in February, '72, I saw five or six 
 sleighs that formed his funeral cortege come 
 slowly up York street and pass out Baltimore 
 street to Evergreen Cemetery where the Zouaves 
 were in waiting to give him a military funeral. 
 I thank you and will not consume more of your 
 time. 
 
 HON. WM. H. TIPTON, 
 Ex-Member Pa. Legislature. 
 
 Page 32 
 
HON. THEODORE MacALISTER. 
 
 I knew John Burns, and, along with other 
 half grown boys of the town and vicinity, an- 
 noyed him frequently when he was acting as a 
 guardian of the peace. He had his peculiarities 
 — nearly all men have. Now his eccentricities 
 are almost forgotten, and he will always be re- 
 membered as a patriot. Twice he tried to enlist 
 in the service of his country but was rejected 
 for the reason that he was too old. When he did 
 have a chance to fight for the perpetuity of the 
 Union he did not hesitate, but faced the enemy 
 heroically until he was wounded in several places. 
 I am glad to say that I did as much as any one to 
 place the granite monument over his grave. We 
 raised all the funds we could from the member- 
 ship of our Post of the G. A. R. ; then I solicited 
 subscriptions from some of our citizens, and al- 
 though not receiving the amount we wished to 
 collect I was greeted kindly, until I interested one 
 of our comparatively rich citizens. He laughed 
 me to scorn, and said, "I can't give anything for 
 this purpose. Why, I knew old John Burns. He 
 was a very peculiar old fellow." Then I quietly 
 remarked to him, "Yes, nearly everyone has some 
 
 Page 33 
 
peculiarities. Some few of our people said many 
 peculiar things about all those who were battling 
 manfully for an everlasting union and for uni- 
 versal freedom. But this old hero's peculiarity 
 led him to seize his musket and fight valiantly f or 
 this righteous cause until he fell wounded." 
 
 I folded up my paper and added this remark : 
 "I thought, perhaps, since you have grown very 
 old you might wish to perform this one small 
 patriotic deed before you go hence." Then he 
 would have chipped in, but I declined to tarry 
 any longer. 
 
 I was not present to hear Lincoln deliver the 
 greatest brief address ever uttered in our lan- 
 guage, because I had a previous engagement far 
 up the Shenandoah Valley. I have heard highly 
 educated men say who did hear him that it made 
 no impression upon them. 
 
 When I secured a newspaper containing his 
 address, I retired to my quiet nook in the grove 
 in which we were encamped and there and then 
 read and re-read it until committed to memory 
 — and then recited it to a squad of my comrades 
 — and this was my comment then and has never 
 changed since: "Magnificent, but not flawless", 
 for in that address he says, "what was said there 
 and then would soon be forgotten". And this 
 classic of his will never die. 
 
 Page 34 
 
Oh, yes, I met Lincoln. After the sanguinary 
 battle of Antietam. Our command, the 1st Bat- 
 talion of Maryland Cavalry, fell back to Fred- 
 erick City, Md., to recruit our depleted ranks, as 
 we did twice afterwards, before the end came. A 
 small detachment of this command was ordered to 
 Point of Rocks on the Potomac, and on returning 
 our commanding officer, Lieut. H. S. MacNair, 
 stopped on entering Frederick, to talk to some 
 friends. We moved on up Market street towards 
 camp. President Lincoln had visited the battle- 
 field of Antietam. We saw another small detach- 
 ment file out of Patrick street and approach us. 
 When we met at the depot we recognized Lincoln. 
 He and several others dismounted, and all entered 
 the train there waiting except the President, who 
 remained upon the rear platform and we without 
 an officer swung into line facing him within a 
 rod, with heads uncovered. Standing upon that 
 platform we saw the saddest countenance and 
 the most careworn looking man we had ever 
 looked upon. But he straightened up his giant 
 form and with a more cheerful expression, wip- 
 ing out as it were some of the wrinkles of care 
 from his face spoke thus to us : 
 
 "Comrades", you can hardly imagine what a 
 thrill passed through our hearts when he uttered 
 this single word, coming as it did from the Presi- 
 
 Page 35 
 
dent and Commander-in-Chief of all our armies. 
 "Comrades, my heart has felt like bursting 
 asunder at the saddest of all sights which I ever 
 beheld, in the valleys over yonder mountains. 
 But your friend and my friend. Major Steiner, 
 cheered me up somewhat by just now telling me 
 of the heroic service you and your command have 
 so recently performed. This train will now move. 
 I cannot talk to you further. I can only shake 
 hands with this comrade for you all, and thank 
 you, and say (iod bless and keep each one of 
 you." 
 
 And then and there 1 felt the grip of that 
 mighty hand which thrilled me like an electric 
 shock. In my young manhood I sometimes felt 
 ashamed of these brawny hands, but never since 
 this one was covered all over by the hand of the 
 man whose memory now all men delight to honor. 
 
 Fellow countrymen, I have since been called 
 upon to pass through many fearful and trying 
 scenes on bloody battlefields; on the starving 
 slopes of Andersonville ; in life and death strug- 
 gles with the Red Men of the northern plains, 
 after the war was over ; through trials and temp- 
 tations which required a still higher type of cour- 
 age to resist, but that grip nerved my arm, and 
 steeled my heart, and will ( God helping me) keep 
 
 Page 36 
 
me true, and these hands clean until the sods 
 will now soon cover them. 
 
 Oh 'twer worth ten years of mortal strife 
 To feel that grasp, and cheer his burdened life. 
 
 The train moved off, and as I again fell into 
 my position at the head of that small line, I saw 
 great tears on the bronzed cheeks of those com- 
 rades, and as we were wheeled into column the 
 one who rode at my side, Martin L. Diehl, one of 
 the very bravest boys of this old Battalion, said 
 with quavering voice, not in a spirit of profanity, 
 "My God, I would charge into the gates of hell 
 for that man." This soldier was not with Lincoln 
 politically but in patriotic loyalty a true brother. 
 I only repeat this expression of my comrade to 
 illustrate the wonderful influence this most illus- 
 trious character of the Nineteenth century had 
 over men. Some men talk with their mouths. 
 This man's heart was in all he said, and his chief 
 characteristic was his unfaltering, steadfast hon- 
 esty. Oh, what a millenial wave would roll 
 across this now mighty nation if all the millions 
 of our people would follow in his footsteps and 
 highly resolve to dedicate themselves to this noble 
 proposition — to live henceforth honestly in 
 thought, word and deed. 
 
 The generation who knew him, Freedom's 
 
 Page 17 
 
Martyr, and especially those who responded to 
 his call for defenders in that darkest period of 
 our national history, are fast falling out of the 
 ranks of mortality. Our once full ranks would 
 now make but a tottering skirmish line. Oh, that 
 we may all close our earthly career worthy to 
 clasp the hand of our country's Great Heart over 
 on the shining shore. 
 
 For yet a little while longer let us "quit our- 
 selves like men, be strong for the right" as God 
 gives us to see the right. True to ourselves, to 
 our neighbors, to our country, and to our God. 
 Then it will be ours to share in the far greater 
 privilege, honor and glory of meeting and wor- 
 shiping face to face, that other still more glori- 
 ous Martyr for our redemption on the eternal 
 camping grounds, and as we go halting down to 
 the brink of the river, may our last song be to the 
 dear Old Flag : 
 
 "Wave on old Glory — wave on till the day 
 
 When earth's last oppressor lies under the sod, 
 Then fade like the stars of the morning away, 
 In the glorious light of the kingdom of God." 
 
 And may our last prayer with fleeting breath 
 be : Oh, thou Almighty Commander of the Uni- 
 verse, hasten the day when all our millions of 
 people will joyfully own and acknowledge The 
 Prince of Peace, King of the crownless land. 
 
 Page 38 
 
W. A. MacILHENNY. 
 
 What I have to say is not very interesting to 
 anyone but in the first place I always felt proud 
 of the fact that I cast my first vote for Abraham 
 Lincoln for President of the United States. I 
 also had the pleasure of shaking his hand on two 
 occasions. The next morning after Col. Miles, 
 commanding at Harpers' Ferry, decided to sur- 
 render, the cavalry force at that place asked 
 permission to make an attempt to make 
 their way out at night before the surrender. He 
 reluctantly gave his consent. We got out without 
 losing a man and captured a Confederate wagon 
 train of sixty-five wagons loaded with ammuni- 
 tion. Our Battalion was ordered to take the 
 wagon train to Chambersburg. Next day the 
 battle of Antietam was fought. We were then 
 ordered to Frederick City, Md., where our 
 Colonel was made Provost Marshal. It is said 
 that Mr. Lincoln was very anxious for the suc- 
 cess of our army at Antietam and went down on 
 his knees and offered up a prayer to God, our 
 Great Commander for the success of our arms, 
 and that he made a vow that if God gave us vic- 
 tory he would issue his proclamation for the 
 
 Page 39 
 
emancipation of slaves in the rebellious States. 
 Mr. Lincoln determined to visit General McClel- 
 lan to learn the completeness of the victory. One 
 day I was walking up the main street of Frederick 
 City and looking out the street I saw two men 
 riding on horseback, followed by a great crowd 
 of shouting citizens. When they drew closer I 
 found it was Mr. Lincoln and Gen. McClellan. 
 We all knew that Mr. Lincoln was always 
 anxious to grasp the hand of the humblest private 
 in his army. I ran out in the street and reached 
 up my hand and shook hands with him. I think 
 I yet can feel the grip of those long bony fingers. 
 About the 1st of November, 1863, our Bat- 
 talion had a little difficulty with the Rebel Gen- 
 eral Imboden's forces up the Shenandoah Val- 
 ley and I happened to be in the direction that 
 one of his men wanted to shoot and I received 
 a musket ball through my right shoulder. I 
 always thought that fellow didn't care whether 
 he killed me or not, but I was thankful that I 
 got off as well as I did. After laying in the 
 hospital for a few days I applied for a furlough 
 until I was tit for duty again consequently I was 
 at home when Air. Lincoln delivered his memor- 
 able speech. You know when we enlisted in 1861 
 we were all young men, from 18 to 22 years of 
 age, and besides leaving our fathers and mothers, 
 
 Paze 10 
 
sisters and brothers, we all had our sweethearts 
 at home. Of course, everbody wanted to attend 
 the dedication of the National Cemetery and very 
 naturally I wanted to bring my best girl to this 
 great event. She and my sister and I shook 
 hands with Mr. Lincoln and Gov. Curtin in the 
 Wills house where they were holding a reception. 
 (This best girl that I speak of is now Airs. 
 Macllhenny). I had my right hand in a sling at 
 the time and of course, had to give the President 
 my left hand. I felt a little like thanking that 
 rebel that shot me for giving me this opportunity 
 of meeting this great man. I afterwards saw him 
 and heard him deliver his speech in the National 
 Cemetery. Mr. Lincoln and his speech will never 
 be obliterated from the memory of the American 
 people. 
 
 I remember Mr. John Burns very well and 
 saw him many times, but was not so intimately 
 acquainted with him as some others were. 
 
 Page II 
 
JOHN E. PITZER. 
 
 John E. Pitzer remembered his first sight of 
 John Burns when eight years old and he met him 
 at the Black Horse Tavern. Mr. Pitzer said : 
 
 John Burns deserved to be known as the Hero 
 of Gettysburg. He shouldered his old flint-lock 
 musket and followed Col. Langhorn Wistars 
 150th Pa. Regiment and as the regiment was 
 nearing the line of battle some of the boys notic- 
 ing Burns following and not knowing what he 
 might be after called the Colonel's attention to 
 him. The Colonel turned and to him said : ''Old 
 man, where are you going?" His reply was: "I 
 came out to help fight the Rebels." He sized him 
 up and said : "Why, you have no ammunition to 
 fight with that gun." "Oh, yes," he said, and 
 placing his hand upon his pocket, said he had bul- 
 lets in there. The arrangement for the powder 
 was a large cow horn with a cord tied at each 
 end of it, and hung on his shoulder. This made 
 him a peculiar looking soldier, and no doubt was 
 quite an attraction. The Colonel advised him to 
 go over into the woods as it would not be so 
 dangerous there. His reply was : "Well, I sup- 
 pose if you fellows can stay here I can too." Then 
 
 Page 42 
 
he went to the left of the regiment between the 
 MaePherson building and the woods and there 
 fought till the line retired to the ridge east of the 
 buildings. Then he advanced in the woods to 
 the Seventh Wisconsin, Col. Robinson's regi*- 
 ment, and there fought until he was wounded 
 in three places. His wounds were not serious, 
 and he lived till 1872. His monument says he 
 was born 1794 and died 1872. The tree stands 
 just east of the regimental monument that has a 
 knot on it about two feet up from the ground 
 which he fought behind until he was wounded 
 in three places, and which he set his old flint 
 lock musket against when his ammunition became 
 exhausted. The Seventh Wisconsin boys fur- 
 nished him a gun of one of their boys that had 
 been wounded and carried off the field, and with 
 that he fought until wounded. 
 
 The old flint lock musket can be seen in the 
 Capitol at Harrisburg. 
 
 JOHN E. PITZER, 
 Color Sergt., 165th Pa. Regt. 
 Member of Post 9, G. A. R., Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 Page 43 
 
miss agnes Mccreary. 
 
 The vocal music at the dedication of the Na- 
 tional Cemetery was furnished by the Patriotic 
 Glee Club of Baltimore, Mr. Wilson Horner, 
 leader. The club came on the evening of the 
 18th of November, 1863, and the town was so 
 full of strangers that they couldn't find a place to 
 lodge so Mr. Horner brought the whole club to 
 our house, the home where Mr. Tipton has his 
 photograph gallery. That was my father's 
 house, and that is where we lived. We furnished 
 them breakfast next morning. They slept on the 
 floor of the parlor; had comforts and pillows for 
 beds. The family slept on the third story that 
 night. 
 
 Mr. Horner, leader of the Glee Club, held a 
 small U. S. flag in his hand, and waved it to keep 
 time to the music. After the exercises at the 
 dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery he 
 handed me the flag, because we entertained him. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln rode on horseback, on his return 
 to the Wills home. I went up Baltimore street 
 with my father to see the President, Abraham 
 Lincoln. Father touched his cadet cap to Lin- 
 coln; he wore the cap because he was a militia 
 
 Page 44 
 
PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 DETAIL AT THE SPEECH MEMORIAL 
 Gettysburg, Pa. 
 
 colonel. Lincoln bowed and smiled. He did not 
 look melancholy. So many say he looked sad, 
 but he did not look sad when he bowed and 
 smiled to me and father. 
 
 Page 45 
 
I have had this flag in my possession for fifty- 
 one years. Mr. Horner, leader of the club, has 
 since died. The flag he presented to me is of 
 priceless and precious memory and shall remain 
 in my possession as long as I live. 
 
 At the conclusion of exercises the audience 
 sang the doxology and Dr. E. A. Wagner de- 
 livered the benediction. 
 
 As the congregation passed out of the church, 
 they gathered in front of the edifice and James B. 
 Aumen acting for Col. E. B. Cope, the donor, un- 
 veiled the Lincoln Tablet on front of the church. 
 
 1 
 
 j 
 
 ABRAHAM El" 
 
 OCCUPIED A 
 
 IN THIS CHU! 
 
 NOVEMBER 19 !8S 
 ON THE DAY HE DEt 
 THE NATIONAL CEMETE, 
 MADE HIS IMMORTAL-ADDRESS 
 
 * * **** 
 
 PHOTO BY TIPTON, GETTYSBURG, PA. 
 
 Page 46 
 
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