Planning for the Gettysburg dedication, with no mention of Lincoln...
THE EVENING BULLETIN, Providence, Rhode Island, Oct. 31, 1863 This is a great, smaller-size Civil War newspaper with many war-related reports throughout (see photos).
Perhaps the most curious is a page 3 article: "The Field of Gettysburg" which talks of preparations for the dedictory ceremonies. It notes that the planned event for October 22, would be postponed to November 19: "...by which time all the dead braves will be, probably, interred. Edward Everett will deliver, probably, his finest oration..." plus more on the planned event.
There is no mention of President Lincoln. Lincoln was not formally invited to participate until November 2, 18, only 17 days before the ceremony. By contrast, Everett had been invited months prior. The committee did not expect Lincoln to give a major speech. David Wills's official invitation letter specifically requested that the President provide just "a few appropriate remarks" to formally set aside the grounds after Everett’s grand oration.
Everett spoke for two hours (13,607 words), while Lincoln followed with the two-minute Gettysburg Address (272 words), which ultimately became one of the most famous speeches in human history.
Eight pages, 13 by 18 inches, very nice condition.