text: Gettysburg Address (1863) Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield cemetery on November 19, 1863.In 272 words, and three minutes, Lincoln asserted that the nation was born not in 1789, but in 1776, "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal".He defined the war as dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality for all.He declared that the deaths of so many brave soldiers would not be in vain, that slavery would end, and the future of democracy would be assured, that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".Defying his prediction that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here", the Address became the most quoted speech in American history.Promoting General Grant General Ulysses Grant's victories at the Battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg campaign impressed Lincoln.Responding to criticism of Grant after Shiloh, Lincoln had said, "I can't spare this man.He fights." With Grant in command, Lincoln felt the Union Army could advance in multiple theaters, while also including black troops.Meade's failure to capture Lee's army after Gettysburg and the continued passivity of the Army of the Potomac persuaded Lincoln to promote Grant to supreme commander.Grant then assumed command of Meade's army.Lincoln was concerned that Grant might be considering a presidential candidacy in 1864.He arranged for an intermediary to inquire into Grant's political intentions, and once assured that he had none, Lincoln promoted Grant to the newly revived rank of Lieutenant General, a rank which had been unoccupied since George Washington.Authorization for such a promotion "with the advice and consent of the Senate" was provided by a new bill which Lincoln signed the same day he submitted Grant's name to the Senate.His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 2, 1864.