In February of 1913, the Maine Legislature passed a Resolve appropriating $18,000 for Maine's participation in the exercises commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. For all veterans who were residents of Maine, the State would provide free round trip transportation and from Gettysburg, accommodations, and medical care. To qualify, the soldier had to have fought in the battle. Other Civil War veterans could attend, but they had to pay for their own transportation and accommodations.

In order to locate Gettysburg survivors, the Adjutant General canvassed all Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Posts, Regimental Associations, and inserted notices in the newspapers. By April of 1913, they had located more than 500 veterans of the battle, including two Confederates. The name of a veteran on this list does not mean he went to the reunion or that the State paid his way, only that they were located.