“Gettysburg Address” and “Ode on the Confederate Dead” Cori McClarin and Teghan Duhigg

The Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln

An After Thought Gettysburg Address occurred on Thursday, November 19, 1863 Edward Everett (famed orator was the main speaker. As an afterthought President Lincoln was invited to participate in the ceremony. “It is the desire that, after the Oration, you, as Chief Executive of the nation, formally set apart these grounds to their sacred use by a few appropriate remarks.”

Has Anyone Even Heard this Speech? Everett's speech was the day’s principal “Gettysburg address.” His now seldom- read 13,607-word oration began: Standing beneath this serene sky, overlooking these broad fields now reposing from the labors of the waning year, the mighty Alleghenies dimly towering before us, the graves of our brethren beneath our feet, it is with hesitation that I raise my poor voice to break the eloquent silence of God and Nature. But the duty to which you have called me must be performed; — grant me, I pray you, your indulgence and your sympathy. And ended three hours later with: But they, I am sure, will join us in saying, as we bid farewell to the dust of these martyr-heroes, that wheresoever throughout the civilized world the accounts of this great warfare are read, and down to the latest period of recorded time, in the glorious annals of our common country, there will be no brighter page than that which relates the Battles of Gettysburg.

In ten sentences Abraham summed up the entire war and the feelings associated with it.

…..Abe Lincoln’s long lost Great great great great great..etc. Grandson..?

Basic Ideas in the Address Rebirth of the nation/freedom Civil war Dedicate field Dedicated the living to unfinished work Government/democracy won’t perish

“ Ode on the Confederate Dead” by: Henry Timrod

Henry Timrod Born in 1828 in South Carolina From poor family, but attended many prestigious schools Ill health (tuberculosis) Extremely patriotic due to his Father’s influence

Enlisted in the Confederate Army Taken out of army after 1 year due to health problems Felt he should still support the Confederate cause, so Timrod became a war correspondent Success in journalism led him to be editor or a paper in Columbia, SC

Timrod’s job was taken away when Sherman’s forces (Union army) captured Columbia Timrod died about 2 years later….not yet 40 years old All of Timrod’s important poems were written during or immediately after the war Themes do not venture past Confederate cause because of such a short time span of writing

“Ode on the Confederate Dead” Ode- (19 th Century) poem used to express a personal subject that the author feels very strongly about Usually very lyrical works and intent of being sung Written to commemorate fallen Confederate soldiers (memorial service at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC)

Timrod wrote TO the fallen soldiers…not just ABOUT them Effect- showcases Timrod’s feelings about the men who fought for a cause he strongly supported Symbol: –Laurel- represents peace…but also victory Imagery: –Timrod’s expression of words creates an image of people mourning and wreaths about the graves

Similarities Dedicating a site

Differences Abraham Lincoln: Commemorate fallen soldiers Dedicating survivors to ensuring democracy New birth of the nation Henry Timrod: Honor the “defeated valor” of soldiers Directed towards Confederate soldiers