FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2013
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SHOULD OAKLEY’S LINCOLN SIT DOWN? CIVIL WAR AUTHOR CRAIG HEBERTON CASTS DOUBT ON THE PROFESSOR’S FINDINGS
CROZET, VA – In 2010, Craig Heberton and his associate began to review within the Library of Congress’ collection several hi-resolution digital images of three stereographic photographs by Alexander Gardner taken on November 19, 1863 at the Gettysburg Soldier’s Cemetery dedication ceremony – two of which reveal the image of Abraham Lincoln at the scene of the Gettysburg Address – or so Heberton believed and set out to prove. Heberton published his findings in an eBook in 2012: Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg: A Review of Alexander Gardner’s Stereoscopic Photographs. The book (published by WMI Books and available on Amazon) broke new ground in the identification of individuals surrounding Lincoln and the events of that important day at Gettysburg.
On September 24, 2013, the SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE released an article in the October 2013 issue titled: “Will the Real Abraham Lincoln Please Stand Up?” The article announced a photographic discovery by Lincoln devotee and UNCA Professor, Christopher Oakley, that places Abraham Lincoln in one of the Alexander Gardner photographs. Heberton’s photographic discovery points to a much more likely figure of Lincoln. Heberton and Oakley make a case for two entirely different figures as the true Lincoln — but who is right and why?
What makes the Heberton Lincoln a more compelling choice? The pictures tell the real story, along with over two years of research to back it up. To make his case, Heberton has created a blog https://abrahamlincolnatgettysburg.wordpress.com/ that sheds light on the differences between Oakley’s Lincoln and his own – compelling research data that raises serious doubts about Oakley’s conclusions. Read the blog (and the book) and view the photographs for yourself.
Here are some highlights:
Why Oakley’s Lincoln is wrong:
Oakley’s Lincoln is completely ignored by the crowd whereas Lincoln was the center of attention on his arrival;
No dignitaries are on their feet to greet Oakley’s Lincoln when he alone begins mounting steps to the platform;
Oakley’s Lincoln is unaccompanied by the three attending members of Lincoln’s Cabinet (Seward, Blair, and Usher); accounts state that Lincoln immediately followed them onto the platform;
Oakley doesn’t place his Lincoln on the platform until ten minutes after Sec. of State Seward is seated;
No men in the crowd removed their hats in a show of respect for Oakley’s Lincoln;
The nose on Oakley’s Lincoln is “hawk-shaped” and does not match Lincoln’s nose;
The alleged beard on the chin of Oakley’s Lincoln is tucked downwards into his shirt and is so much darker than his other facial hair, suggesting it is a large bow tie rather than a beard;
Oakley’s Lincoln is on the far right of the platform buried several rows back; all accounts and photos place Lincoln in the front and center of the speakers stand.
Why Heberton’s Lincoln makes more sense:
His Lincoln is the center of focused attention from nearly all visible platform spectators in two photos while atop his horse directly in front of the speakers’ platform;
Some men on the platform doffed their hats for his Lincoln;
His Lincoln is positioned near a presidential-appearing eagle finial topped staff;
Lincoln wore white gauntlets over his extremely large hands and was preoccupied with the children at Gettysburg, patting their heads & bestowing kisses;
His Lincoln extends a large white gloved hand in front of a boy’s face seated on the front of his saddle;
His Lincoln precedes Lincoln’s special escort sent by Sec. of War Stanton to safeguard the President, consistent with an account that the escort rode behind Lincoln in the procession;
Within the shadows is revealed a distinctive bearded chin and a large ear and long nose, appearing like Lincoln’s;
A line of contrast in darkness on his Lincoln’s hat betrays the presence of a hat band which Lincoln wore in honor of his deceased son Willie; and
Movement by his possible Lincoln throughout the 2nd exposure created a long and narrow opalescent ghost-image face, smiling at the camera, which appears to have a bearded small chin.
To learn more about Heberton’s photographic discovery of Lincoln and the latest in the Lincoln at Gettysburg photographic debate, please join us online at Facebook and Twitter and follow the book’s blog:
https://abrahamlincolnatgettysburg.wordpress.com/
Facebook and Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Abraham-Lincoln-at-Gettysburg/338089372973741
Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg:
A Review of Alexander Gardner’s Stereoscopic Photos:
October 2013 Smithsonian Magazine Article:
Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg 
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