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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.

Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) to Amanda Wilkinson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.13.030 Author/Creator: Wilkinson, Frederick W. (fl. 1861-1863) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 January 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 25.2 x 19.8 Order a Copy

Written at Camp Michigan, Virginia. It is the first full year in which he can call her his wife. He is not sad that he has to send his money home. Notes that the other men spend most of their money and do not send it home. States that some of the married men do not show as much affection in their letters to their wives as he does. Writes that he needs his furlough signed and then he will hopefully be able to come home.

Frederick Wilkinson was a resident of Kalamazoo County, Michigan when he enlisted on 10 May 1861 as a Sergeant. On 25 May 1861 he mustered into "K" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant and later to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 December 1861. Wilkinson was discharged for promotion on 14 January 1863. Also on that day he was transferred to "G" Company of the Michigan 2nd Infantry. He resigned on 30 June 1863.

Wilkinson, Frederick W. fl. 1861-1863

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