Unknown Soldiers 1 and 2 at Gettysburg National Cemetery
There is a story told of a visitor to the cemetery at the Old Soldier’s Home who encountered President Lincoln walking among the grave stones reciting this poem.
It has stuck with me since.
How Sleep the Brave
William Collins. 1721–1759
HOW sleep the brave, who sink to rest
By all their country’s wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallow’d mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honour comes, a pilgrim grey,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there!
The general location of Gettysburg Address
"War" on the Gettysburg Monument
"History" on the Gettysburg Monument
Unknown Soldiers at Gettysburg National Cemetery
Row of gravestones at Gettysburg National Cemetery