Let them know that should their fate be the same; their remains will not be uncared for." Lincoln accepted the invitation. .
Lincoln's primary audience, estimated between 15,000 and 20,000, consisted of mostly widows and orphans that had resulted from the great battles. Also in attendance would be members of Lincoln's cabinet, governors from some states, representatives from some foreign countries, wounded soldiers who had participated in the battle, many invited guests, local residents, the Marine Band from Washington D.C., Edward Everett who was the greatest orator of his day, military and civic organizations from many parts of the nation, high ranking military personnel, and many other distinguished men of national reputation and fame.
Lincoln faced an arduous task in speaking to such a diverse audience. To further complicate matters he was addressing the audience, which consisted of Confederate and Union soldiers and supporters, as not only the President, but the Commander-in-Chief of the Union Army. He was keenly aware that many of the family member of fallen soldiers held him directly, and personally responsible for the deaths of their loved ones. Lincoln's address was set in a cemetery and the ceremony and proceedings were expected to be very imposing and solemnly impressive. .
On the morning of November 19th, 1863 Lincoln made his address following Edward Everett's two hour oration. It is said that Everett's lengthy oration was fitting to the occasion and well read, but none the less caused some people to leave the event early because they were tired of listening or simply did not understand the content. In contrast, Lincoln's address was only two minutes in length. This shocked many people, but the content more than made up for the brevity.
Lincoln had three main messages he wanted all in attendance to fully understand. "One is that we should honor the dead by dedicating ourselves to preserving the nation so that they did not die in vain.
