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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.

Hand, Edward (1744-1802) [Hand's Revolutionary War letterbook]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03426 Author/Creator: Hand, Edward (1744-1802) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript Date: 10 October 1777-11 April 1778 Pagination: 1 v. : 88 p. ; 32.5 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy

Many letters contained within this book were created at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. Various other locations are noted. A typed biography and a partial list of persons to whom Hand's letters were written are included with this book. "Copies of Letters written to officers while at Fort Pitt ... 44 leaves Mrs S. Bethel" is written on the front cover.

Hand practiced medicine in Pennsylvania prior to the American Revolution. He served at various posts in the Revolutionary War, participated as a member of the Continental Congress in 1783 and 1784, and was major general, United States Army, 1798-1800.

[Letter to Brothers, Capt. White Eyes, Capt. Killbuck & other Chiefs of the Delawares at Coochocking, 3 November 1777]
[12] …I rejoice with you, that you will Shortly be a great People, for the Day is near, when all Nations will ask your Advice & follow your wise Councils I know you will not be tired of good Works, especially whom you May have it in your power to Save many Nations from Ruin…

[Letter to George Washington, 9 November 1777]
[18]…I fully expected to be able to penetrate the Indian Country, But Alas! I was disappointed, the whole force I was able to collect…did not exceed 800 Men. I am therefore obliged to content myself with stationing Small detachments on the frontiers to prevent as much as possible the Inroads of the Savages…

[Letter to Patrick Henry, 9 December 1777]
[26]…I was most concerned to hear that the Cornstalk, his Son, the Red Hawks Son & another Indian had been murdered by the Militia, 'tho in Close confinement in the Garrison more especially as the Cornstalk appeared to be the most active of the Nation to promote peace…

[Letter to A. Lachey, 23 January 1778]
[55] …I have an Intention of making a short Excursion into the Indian Country during the Severity of the Winter…

[Letter to Horatio Gates, 7 March 1778]
[67] …I found [strike: illegible] [insert: the design] of Seizing them by Surprize during the Season in which the Savages might suppose us [insert: to be] inactive…we discovered the Tracks of Some Indians & detached Small Parties to reconnoiter, Some of them returning & informing me that they had discovered a Camp, Containing [68] between 50, or 60 [struck: Warriors] [inserted: Indians] I conjectured they were Warriors on their Way to Our Settlement & proceeded to attack them, but found to my great Mortification only one Man with some Women & Children. The men were so impetuous that I could not prevent their killing them…

Hand, Edward, 1744-1802

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