Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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Showing results 1 - 25

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1861-1865

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Document signed

Title: Quarterly return of ordnance and ordnance stores

Includes returns for the fourth quarter for Company I, 58th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by 1st Lieutenant Heber Painter.

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1861-1865

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Document signed

Title: Abstract of materials

Includes materials expended or consumed in I Company, 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry during the second quarter, 1865.

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1861-1865

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Document signed

Title: Abstract of materials

Includes materials expended or consumed in I Company, 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry during the third quarter, 1865.

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1861-1865

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Document signed

Title: Abstract of materials

Includes materials expended or consumed in I Company, 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry during the fourth quarter, 1865.

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1861-1865

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Document signed

Title: Abstract of materials

Includes materials expended or consumed in I Company, 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry during the first quarter, 1866.

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March 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Complains of the dreary weather, which has brought down his spirits. Asks his sister to thank their aunt for the extra stamps she sent with her last letter, as stamps are very scarce and difficult for soldiers to obtain. States that Camp Hamilton is a "rebeldom" where soldiers have to sleep with their shoes on and guns closely by them. Mentions the Monitor and the Merrimac and states that if not for the Monitor, the Merrimac would have continued North. Reports that he had the pleasure of seeing General Wool during battalion drill.

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27 March 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Has just learned of a general order to stop outgoing mail but assures his sister that her mail to him will still be received. Advises her to be alert of any news from Big Bethel, Yorktown, Sewel's Point, Norfolk and Richmond. Reports that General Wool had a grand review of the troops.

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6 April 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Reports on the bombardment of Yorktown, which is about twenty miles from Camp Hamilton. Discusses the second lieutenant's report of Yorktown, stating that the rebels were completely surrounded by General McClellan. Complains of a sore throat, but is otherwise well. Includes instructions to destroy the letter.

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13 April 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

States that the soldiers were paid recently and that most of the men sent their money home. Describes watching the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) capture three vessels within 200 yards of a land battery. Writes in detail an encounter between the USS Monitor and the Merrimac, where the Stevens Battery opened fire and the Merrimac, after shooting back, retired up the Elizabeth River. Reports that General McClellan may call on General Wool for reinforcement in Yorktown. Feels that the Battle of Yorktown will be the greatest to day with 100,000 men on each army.

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20 April 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Ella]

Reprimands his sister for not answering all his letters and tells her that composition is a very important part of her education. Asks his sister to remember him to a certain Mollie M. whom he feels would make an interesting correspondent for him. Reports that his captain is suffering from boils and is unfit for duty but will be fine in a few days. Also reports that the Merrimac has not reappeared and that the troops at Newport News have been sent on to Yorktown.

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30 April 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister [Kate]

Commends her on her improvement in school under a new teacher. Feels strongly about having his sister properly educated and encourages her to persevere in her studies. Writes that no furloughs for illness or business are being granted for the men in his division. Anticipates a third appearance from the Merrimac when the weather improves. Reports that the steamer Vanderbilt will cooperate with the Monitor to capture the Merrimac and that he will remain at camp until the Merrimac is taken.

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4 May 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Writes from Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Virginia (present day, Hampton, Virginia). Letter addressed to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick or Rebecca Frick. Writes that he received an interesting issue of the Danville Democrat. Reports that McClellan was in possession of Yorktown though he feels that the capture could have been more effectively carried out. Also reports that the Merrimac made another appearance but no fighting took place.

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25 May 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that Suffolk, Virginia is not occupied by the troops yet. The Gosport Navy Yard has been destroyed except for some walls that are still standing. States that the women are becoming more accustomed to the sight of "Yankee soldier boys." Writes that the residents of Norfolk are stronger secessionists than those of Portsmouth. Reports of rumors that Richmond has been captured with 20,000 prisoners. Complains of inaccessibility to news mostly due to General Wool's prohibition of newspapers.

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30 May 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that camp has moved from [Gosport Navy Yard] and complains of the condition of the grounds upon arrival. Discusses the number of Confederate prisoners that are being taken and their willingness to take an oath of allegiance to the national government.

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June 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia that he received his sister's letter and was happy to hear from her. Also writes that he sent home a sum of thirty dollars in a package sent along with the Captain. Refers to General McClellan as the "Napoleon of America." Describes a recent visit to a local church in Portsmouth where he was impressed by the furnishings but not by the orator of the service. He explains that the orator skipped over the prayer for the president and that he and his congregation were decidedly secessionists.

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12 June 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes from camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. Reports that everyone is enjoying good health. Writes that the company has not officially heard from the new chief. States that there are many New York militia regiments who will probably be taking the place of the volunteers. Also reports that a number of regiments from his division have left for Richmond to reinforce McClellan. Writes that the soldiers were anticipating "a little fun" with the rebels but the rebels never showed up.

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21 June 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that things have been quiet for the most part except for the capture of rebel mail some days ago. His present quarters are acceptable and he does not know how long he will be in the present location. States that there is rumor of marching to Whitehouse (Virginia) or Suffolk, but he thinks they will stay put until "affairs at Richmond are settled." Writes that the weather has been warm and can be trying when marching long hours under the sun.

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3 July 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Reports that he was not well for a few days, but is feeling okay now. Writes that recruiting is dull and believes it will continue to be until the fall. He hopes that a draft will start soon. States that there is no news in town.

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11 July 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he has arrived safely and is in good health. Complains of the dullness of recruiting and wishes that he were stationed in a place where he could be more useful. States that he is disappointed in the size of the village and that he has not visited any place of public interest.

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30 September 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Wishes that his aunt would send him a five dollar bill in tomorrow's mail. Reports that he received a letter from John, whom with another company, is occupying a very dangerous position at Deep Creek. Excuses himself for writing the letter in haste and for the quality of his pen. A postscript note informs his aunt that he will pass through Danville tomorrow on his way to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania.

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22 October 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Has nothing exciting to report from the town. States that if not for the recent election and draft, the soldiers would be in need of something exciting. Reports that the regiment had a parade and made a good appearance. He was surprised that Captain A. Frick (possibly his uncle) had resigned and hopes that being home will be good for his health. States that he received the "Danville Democrat" which contained a list of drafted men.

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2 November 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that a letter was received by the captain stating that the men would soon be called in. Attended church and was delighted to find that the Right Reverend Bishop was in town. The reverend preached two beautiful sermons on the last Sabbath. Has received a letter from his sister Anna reporting that all were well. Reports that he is in good health and hopes that it continues. Sends his love to his family.

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26 November 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Rebecca Frick

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Reports that he is still stationed at Wilkesbarre and doesn't know when they'll be called in. Recruiting is still very poor. He is sorry to hear that Lightner is still in the hospital. Writes of news that a friend has been married out west. Reports that his health is better since having returned from the army.

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30 November 1862

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Kate

Complains that he is being kept in town for recruiting despite the poor recruitment rate. Writes that recruiting costs $219 a month and feels that the government should act more economically instead of wasting money on recruiting parties. He was paid the first of November and forwarded $10 to "Em" (his sister Emma). He used the remainder of the money to buy some wardrobe items. Describes his Thanksgiving Day as very dull. Reports that there is an interesting murder case going on, so he has been attending court to pass the time.

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15 January 1863

Painter, Heber (1841-1900)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Ella

He has traveled from Norfolk to Fortress Monroe by the steamer "Expounder". Complains that the steamer was unsafe for transportation and that the men suffered from seasickness. The soldiers continued on to Beauford (also known as old Troxel Inlet), boarded another dangerous vessel, and disembarked at Morehead, where they took the railroad to New Bern, North Carolina. States that General Burnside "whiped the rebs so handsomely" that there were hundreds of graves everywhere. Gives a lengthy explanation of a long march through the woods.

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Showing results 1 - 25

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