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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Trimble, Isaac R. (1802-1888) to Octavia Trimble

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00615 Author/Creator: Trimble, Isaac R. (1802-1888) Place Written: Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 December 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Trimble, a Confederate prisoner of war held in Boston, writes a poetic letter to his wife about captivity and his longing for home. "You may think I am sincere if you reflect a moment that I am not free like you 'to wander at will among the woods, & hold sweet communion with nature's loveliness.' Oh no! lonely, lonely captivity is my lot, with but few glimpses of the sky & none of the earth, woods, flowers, birds or babbling brooks ... All under foot, above, around is granite; granite! ... Home is now almost a forgotten word, or its memory comes lone, fitful & sad ... " Asks Octavia to send pictures of herself and other family members. Trimble was a Confederate general who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was not exchanged until February 1865.

Trimble was a Confederate general who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Gettysburg. He was not exchanged until February 1865.

Trimble, Isaac Ridgeway, 1802-1888
Trimble, Octavia, fl. 1864

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