On the Way to Gettysburg: Hanover Junction

History: On Nov. 18, 1863, prior to President Abraham Lincoln's arrival at Gettysburg, he had to switch to a special train that carried him and his party to Gettysburg.

Earlier in that year, wounded soldiers were transported from Gettysburg battlefield to this Junction, thence to distant hospitals. This junction also served as a chief point on the Military Telegraph line, established in 1863.

That same day, Abraham Lincoln's train stopped in Hanover where he gave a short speech to the several hundred citizens that assembled to greet him. In Lincoln fashion, he gave his speech off the rear platform of the train and referred to the battle fought here on June 30:
"I trust when the enemy was here, the citizens of Hanover were loyal to our country and the stars and stripes. If you are not all true patriots in support of the union, you should be."

More to Explore: Visit http://www.visitpa.com/ and www.civilwartraveler.com for exciting things to see and do on your travels to Pennsylvania.

Photo Credits:

1. "Photograph of crowd posing at Hanover Station during the Civil War."
2. "Photograph of group posing on a platform of the Hanover Junction Railroad Station."
3. "Photograph of President Abraham Lincoln." Prints courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division