The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest and bloodiest of the Civil War, and indeed the largest battle ever fought in the western hemisphere. The site was a small college town of 2,500 people, located forty miles south of Harrisburg; seventy-eight miles west of Washington, fifty-four miles west of Baltimore; and one hundred eighteen miles southwest of Philadelphia. Here the forces of the Confederacy undertook a desperate gamble to crush the Army of the Potomac and force the Union into a peace settlement that would have assured the South’s political independence and weakened the prestige and power of the Union in the western hemisphere, thereby opening it to whole scale political and economic penetration by imperialist European powers. Although it is questionable that a Confederate victory would have been sufficient to stem permanently the tide of international opposition to slavery, it would certainly have constituted a serious setback to that cause.

The Civil War did not conclude with the Battle of Gettysburg; rather it is generally considered to have ended with Lee’s surrender on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox, although some Confederate troops would remained active in the field until as late as June 23, 1865.

However, the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg was the occasion for one of the most important speeches ever made by an American president, Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” a document which sought to ennoble the barbarity of that conflict, to begin the process of reconciliation and to provide a new idealistic platform for the identity and future of the American nation.

In these ways at least, the Battle of Gettysburg stands as a momentous event in the process of American history, of sufficient importance to bring us there for this year’s annual conference. As we retrace the steps of Union and Confederate troops, identifying the turning points of the Battle, analyzing the successes and failures, marveling over the courage of individual soldiers while repulsed by the heavy cost in human suffering and carnage, there will be moments when we will undoubtedly stand in awe for being connected with these events through our sharing in the progress of democratic fulfillment that is part of the destiny of being an American and for that matter of being a member of the world community.

In the Presidential Address portion of this year’s program, I will present an overview of the Battle of Gettysburg, including its historic context, the course of the battle, its influence on subsequent events, the role of President Lincoln and the meaning and importance of his famous Gettysburg Address. Following as it does the “Battlefield as Text” portion of the program, I trust that it will stimulate additional discussion and an even deeper understanding of this famous historic event.

Today, Gettysburg is probably the best known national cemetery and park in the country. Attractively designed and well kept, it is in itself a work of art. The town of Gettysburg has a lovely, gentle charm to it; its people are friendly and helpful. During our visit last fall, my wife and I discovered that the Eisenhower Inn, about four miles from the town of Gettysburg, is located in a neatly landscaped setting; its rooms are large, the facilities seemed well maintained and the service was satisfactory. The Inn’s most impressive feature was its large glass-enclosed atrium which contains a swimming pool and jacuzzi, attractive foliage and outdoor-style restaurant facilities. It promises to be an enjoyable refuge for relaxing with friends during breaks in the program.

We look forward to a most rewarding conference and to sharing it with you and your students.

Dr. John J. Brennan

President: NE-NCHC