The “few appropriate remarks” of Lincoln at Gettysburg came to be
accepted with the passing of years not only as a fine expression of the
purposes for which the war was fought, but as a masterpiece of
literature. An effort to have the words of the martyr President
commemorated on this battlefield culminated with the inclusion in the
act approved February 12, 1895, which established Gettysburg National
Military Park, of a provision for the erection of such a memorial.
Pursuant to this authority, the Park Commission erected the Lincoln
Address Memorial, in January 1912, near the west gate of the national
cemetery.
[Illustration: _The national cemetery._]
_Guide Tour of the Park_—(See map on page 52.)
The self-guide tour of the park begins on McPherson Ridge, a mile west
of Gettysburg. Upon arrival in Gettysburg, the visitor should first
locate Center Square, then drive a mile westward on U. S. No. 30 to the
statues of Generals Reynolds and Buford.