Our Collection

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.

Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) to Stockton Bates

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.23.32 Author/Creator: Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) Place Written: Brandy Station, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.3 x 23.3 cm. Order a Copy

Complains about recent useless parades and reviews, preliminary to reorganization of the army into three corps, similar to Lee's army, under Sedgwick, Hancock, and a third General. Notes malcontent, particularly with the Army of the Potomac. Kilpatrick's men have ravaged the countryside, stealing, burning, and shooting horses. "I am not one of those who thinks that our armies should destroy indiscriminately. Such destruction does not tend to subdue rebels, it enrages them the more."

Enlisted on 22 August 1861 as a Private; mustered into A company, 61st regiment, Pennsylvania, infantry. Promoted to sergeant 1 November 1864, when he was transferred from company A to company F. Mustered out on 28 June 1865 at Washington, D.C.

Allison, William A., fl. 1861-1865
Bates, Stockton, fl. 1861-1866

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources