Abraham Lincoln A Bitter Struggle Divides a Nation

Lincoln’s Election November 6, Abraham Lincoln is elected as 16 th U.S. president and the first Republican. Receives 180 of 303 possible electoral votes and 40 percent of the popular vote.

Early Photograph Taken Feb, 1860

Civil War begins— April 12, 1861

Slavery Declared Over Jan 1, President Lincoln issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates.Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A PROCLAMATION.

"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;

and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defense; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. ABRAHAM LINCOLN By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Battle of Gettysburg This most famous and most important Civil War Battle occurred over three hot summer days, July 1 to July 3, 1863, around the small market town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It began as a skirmish but by its end involved 160,000 Americans.

Battle of Gettysburg Before the battle, major cities in the North such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and even Washington itself, were under threat of attack from General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia which had crossed the Potomac River and marched into Pennsylvania.

Battle Photos Near McPherson's Woods, dead Union solders. Retreating Rebels sometimes took needed gear from fallen Federals, including their shoes.

Devil's Den with dead Confederates.

Serious Wounds=Death Open field surgery as an amputation is performed at a Union hospital tent.

Gettysburg Burial Field Dedication Ceremony, November 19, 1863

Now, Let’s Listen to the Gettysburg Address!