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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1763-1791

Macaulay, Catharine (1731-1791)

Header Record

Title: Correspondence of Catharine Macaulay [Decimalized .01- .63]

Collection of correspondence of Catharine Macaulay Graham with various people from England, Scotland, France, and America, including a folder of transcripts of letters not included in this collection.

GLC01794

14 August 1775

Laurens, John (1754-1782)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Laurens

Written by Laurens as a law student at Middle Temple in London to an unknown recipient. Says he can get this and maybe another letter through without it being intercepted by British government officials. Writes extensively on his opinions of the revolution in America.

GLC04343.01

1779/06/24

Rutledge, John

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln re: war content: "I am glad the attack was made"

Written one month after Lincoln's surrender at Charleston, S.C.

GLC02470.35

circa 1780

Barres, Joseph Frederick Wallet des (1722-1824)

Map

Title: A sketch of the operations before Charlestown, the capital of South Carolina

Large engraved map showing military operations, fortifications and outlying plantations, together with shallows and swamps. Shows positions of the various army units and notes that the Americans surrendered the city on 12 May 1780. Imprint from original atlas. Nebenzahl, Battle Plans of the American Revolution, 80.

GLC01859

3 May 1780

Dundas, Ralph (b. 1732)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dundas

Dundas, Captain of H. M. S. Bonetta, informs his brother James he is still alive despite "having suffered more Hardships from the 4 of Oct last than in all the rest of my Lifetime put together." Relates that he sailed into New Providence, Bahamas, after encountering continual storms during the passage. Recounts that he allowed his men to recover and refit the ship before they sailed for Charleston. Informs James of the surrender of Charleston, which he claims took place 2 May.

GLC03676.01

18 May 1780

Smith, Aaron

Document signed

Title: [Parole oath for Lt. Smith]

Smith commanded the 3rd South Carolina Regiment and was taken prisoner at the fall of Charleston. Swears to "remain at the Barracks at Hadrils point or within six Miles thereof, without passing any River Creek or Arm of the Sea...I shall not in the mean Time do, or cause any Thing to be done, prejudicial to the Success of His Majesty's Arms, or have Intercourse or hold Correspondence with his Enemies..." Also signed by Maj. Stewart, British commissary of prisoners.

GLC09053

26 October 1787

Belneavis, Archibald (fl. 1776-1787)

Letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant General Cunningham

Written by Captain Lieutenant Belneavis to Lieutenant General Cunningham before both men were to depart for the West Indies. Says before he is to join the 45th Regiment of Foot, which is under Cunningham's command, he conceives it his duty to mention a few particulars of his service in order to promote a possible promotion. Said he went to America in 1776 and joined the 71st Regiment of Foot and fought in all their campaigns, both North and South. Says he served at the capture and defense of Savannah and the seizure of Charleston.

GLC01450.169.04

12 August 1860

Clark, B.S. (fl. 1861-)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Much Respected Cousin

They are building a brigade bakery. If Charleston falls, there may be more fighting. He tells his cousin if he goes to Middlebury, he may use his rifle until he gets back

GLC07205.070

1861-1864

Brown, William R.

Telegram signed

Title: to James L Botsford

"Cannonading was heard here [Hurricane Bridge] last night in the direction of Ceredo or Gallipolis . . . " Note below from the Gallipolis office: "Cannonading at Gallipolis in honor of [Confederate] victory at Charleston S.C" Dated Apl 8 186.

GLC02414.318

13 April 1863

Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Brother H. (Henry)

Everyone is excited about the fighting at Charleston. He mentions Joe Hooker.

GLC02172.67

15 April 1863

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877

Newspaper

Title: Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 1, no. 25 (April 15, 1863)]

Two articles titled "Army Missions" describe several battalions and their ties to religion. "Warlike" compares religions work in the army with ancient battles. Three columns of "Secular News" include an extensive report reprinted form the Mercury, of the attack on the Forts at Charleston Harbor; news of the repeal of a Georgia law prohibiting teaching Negroes to read; news from Washington regarding a Negro draft; and an extensive section on the Batteries of Sullian's Island, amongst other news.

GLC05959.39.20

15 August 1863

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Siege of Charleston. Four regiments of Negroes who are better at fatigue work than white soldiers. "The consequence is that fifty Negroes are equal to a hundred white soldiers, for ordinary work." Closes with the expectation that bombardment of the forts will begin on Monday: "Good bye Sumter!"

GLC04663.23

1863/08/29

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He expects that he will be relieved of his duties as Quartermaster and made to rejoin his regiment. He describes the progress of the siege of Charleston.

GLC04662.042

4 September 1863

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Sister Rosalie [a Roman Catholic nun?] arrives at Folly Island from Buffalo. The joys of soldiering, progress of the siege, death of a sergeant.

GLC04663.24

1863/9/5

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He writes of the capture of a small group a confederates, the bombardment on Fort Wagner and the siege of Charleston. Also discusses the whereabouts of friends.

GLC04662.043

11 October 1863

Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918)

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Notes that it is his tenth wedding anniversary and writes that the thought of her distance and the time remaining cause "a choaking sensation" and tears. Says that he is the only man in Co. H with a family. Mentions slow siege of Charleston, health, selling his whiskey ration; recruiting officer sent away by commanding officer.

GLC04558.118

1 November 1863

Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918)

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Has a runny nose; the siege drags on and another assault scheduled that night for Fort Sumter; expects conscripts to arrive soon and receive weapons, "til then they are guarded closer than rebel prisoners would be."

GLC04558.121

10 November 1863

Morse, N.S. (fl. 1862-1864)

Newspaper

Title: Daily chronicle & sentinel. [Vol. 27, no. 309 (November 10, 1863)]

Subjects include General Expectation of a Battle in the Vicinity of Chattanooga, Forces Now Occupy Knoxville, Tennessee, Sherman to Command in Tennessee, Meade to Advance Again, The Federals Occupying Charleston, Capture of Bragg's Forage Train, From Charleston - Progress of the Bombardment, Taylor's Victory Over Banks. An editorial extolling the virtue of Washington to serve where needed without regard to position or title makes application of the Revolution to the Civil War in the hope of extinguishing jealousy and envy in sacrifice. A long letter by C.P.

GLC05959.07.03

15 November 1863

Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918)

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

He has put on more weight; has gotten used to constant firing on Charleston; encloses a "greenback" for Dolly.

GLC04558.123

30 November 1863

Tyler & Allegre (fl. 1862-1865)

Newspaper

Title: The daily richmond enquirer. [Vol. 36, no. 100 (November 30, 1863)]

Pencil signature of "Dr D Haskins" above the masthead. Report of the arrival of 175 severely wounded men from the fight at Germanna Ford. Article praising the cavalry in Northern Virginia. News that General William T. Sherman might be reinforcing the army of the General Ambrose Burnside. Summary news from the "Batlimore Gazette," which is mostly an update on the action around Chattanooga. News of the shelling of forts around Charleston, South Carolina. Published dispatches of General Robert E. Lee. Details of the battle around Chickamauga.

GLC05959.80.06

[12/25/]1863

Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The army celebrated Christmas with an artillery barrage on the city of Charleston. As a result a fire broke out in the city which burned for 11 hours. The rebels fired back, hit a gun boat and killed three people. He is applying for leave, but does not want to get his hopes up. His sawmill is running but needs a new boiler. He mentions the progress of the canal.

GLC04662.052

1864

Unknown

Autograph album

Title: [Prisoner of War autograph album]

Includes signatures of Union generals captured during the siege of Charleston: Eliakim Scammon, Henry Wessells, Truman Seymour, Alexander Shaler, as well as many soldiers and officers. Also signed by Confederate Stephen D. Mobley, Capt. 32nd Georgia Volunteers, possibly guarding the prisoners.

GLC04225

26 February 1864

Wells, Edmund C. (fl. 1864-)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

went to Cincinnati with the company of a 2M clerk passing through Wheeling. visited Harry Blackburn and family. the streets of Cincinnati were filled with flags on account of the fall of Charleston. General Crook and Kelly were captured.

GLC08311.14

3 June 1864

Smith, Bailey & Co.,

Newspaper

Title: The Sentinel. [Vol. 2, no. (June 3, 1864)]

Battle of Mechanicsville, Charleston Under Fire.

GLC05959.57.12

8 August 1864

Smith, Bailey & Co.,

Newspaper

Title: The Sentinel. [Vol. 2, no.188 (August 8, 1864)]

Siege of Charleston - 388th Day, Battle at Atlanta, Engagement on Upper Potomac.

GLC05959.57.18

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