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 #: GLC03523.23.29 Author/Creator: Allison, William A. (fl.1861-1865) Place Written: Brandy Station, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 January 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.3 x 24.9 cm. Order a Copy

Is grateful for the news; it provides freedom from boredom for the entire camp. Describes their winter quarters, a rude combination of log cabin and tent. His roommate is a German soldier who participated in the disturbances of 1848 then fled his native land to the United States, hoping to live in peace.

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