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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.

Russell, Sallie (fl. 1862) to Samuel Russell

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05493.02 Author/Creator: Russell, Sallie (fl. 1862) Place Written: Salt Lake City, Utah Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

Three letters on one sheet from Sallie Russell, Belle Russell, and Pennie Russell to their brother, who had left Salt Lake City on the overland trail. Sallie provides family news. She also discusses the force amassing to confront the Morrisites (a breakaway group of Mormons who imprisoned several members who wished to leave the group), the death of John and George Hendley at a battle at Blue Ridge, and the death of their sister the same day in Virginia. Belle's letter reiterates that their mother misses Samuel, and mentions that others miss him too. She also makes ambiguous reference to the purpose of his trip, suggesting he employ a lawyer and describes his effort as "picking up the fragments and welding them together." Pennie gives family news and comments on Joseph Morris killing his defecting followers and the 500 man Mormon force going to seize him. Mentions that she told a Mr. Cole that Samuel was on his way back to Bluff City, Tennessee.

Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896

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