David Wills House - Gettysburg PA - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

Lincoln DID sleep here!

David Wills was a prominent attorney when he hosted President Lincoln on his visit to Gettysburg. Following the Battle of Gettysburg, the battlefield was strewn with the bodies of more than 7,000 fallen soldiers. In the heat of that July, the stench became overwhelming, so they were hastily buried by military details, contractors and Gettysburg civilians. Most were buried where they fell, as was the custom.
As bodies began to be exposed by the elements, more permanent and respectful burial arrangements needed to be made. David Wills was asked to secure acreage for a cemetery. Wills purchased 17 acres next to the Evergreen Cemetery and the Union bodies were transferred to the new cemetery over the next few months. Confederate bodies were left in the field burial plots until many years later when Ladies' Memorial Associations made arrangements for the reburial of their own war dead.
On November 19, 1863, the Soldiers' National Cemetery was dedicated and President Lincoln was asked to provide "a few remarks" for the occasion.

The David Wills House is owned by the NPS and administered by a private foundation. It was recently restored and was re-opened for visiting in February 2009. Hours are seasonal - check the websites for more information.

NPS website for the Wills house: (visit link)

Foundation website: (visit link)

Type of site: Historic Home Address: 8 Lincoln Square Gettysburg, PA USA 17325 Phone Number: 717-334-1124 Admission Charged: More than $5 Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: Not listed

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