Honoring the Unseen Heroes:
- Greg Allen
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
Camp Letterman and Dedication Day
When we think of Dedication Day, November 19, 1863, our minds often turn to Abraham Lincoln and his Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. But behind the monuments and speeches lies a story that has almost vanished from sight: Camp Letterman, the Union Army’s largest field hospital after the Battle of Gettysburg.
A Hospital That Once Was
After the three days of intense fighting in July 1863, Gettysburg’s fields were strewn with the wounded and dying. To meet the urgent need, Union commanders established Camp Letterman, a centralized field hospital just north of town. Here, surgeons, nurses, and volunteers worked tirelessly, performing amputations, treating infections, and providing comfort amid chaos. For many soldiers, the hospital offered hope — a chance to survive when all seemed lost.
Remembering What Time Has Hidden
Today, very little remains of Camp Letterman. Modern buildings, parking lots, and shops now occupy the ground where tents and surgical tables once stood. Only a handful of historical markers hint at the hospital’s past. Yet, the stories of those who served there — the medics and volunteers who tended to the wounded — endure. Dedication Day is not only about honoring those who fought and died; it is also about remembering the courage of those who healed.
The Human Side of Gettysburg
Visiting Gettysburg today, it’s easy to be drawn to monuments, cannon placements, and Lincoln’s words. But the full story of Dedication Day includes the quiet heroism of Camp Letterman’s staff. Their compassion, skill, and perseverance remind us that bravery takes many forms — not just in battle, but in care, sacrifice, and service.
Holding History in Your Hands
At Gettysburg Sentinels, we honor both the fighters and the healers with handcrafted keepsakes made from authentic battlefield and witness trees. Each pen, ring, or keepsake box carries a story — a tangible connection to the people and the land of Gettysburg. While the site of Camp Letterman has disappeared beneath modern development, its legacy lives on in these pieces, letting history be seen, touched, and remembered.
This Remembrance Day, as you reflect on the words Lincoln spoke and the sacrifices made at Gettysburg, consider the unseen heroes of the battlefield — the healers who gave hope when it mattered most. And for a gift or personal keepsake that embodies this history, Gettysburg Sentinels offers a way to honor the past while holding it close.
See our complete Lincoln Collection at https://www.gettysburgsentinels.com/category/abraham-lincoln