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.

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to C. E. Blair

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00162.04 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 April 1883 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20 x 14 cm. Order a Copy

Former President Hayes thanks Professor Blair for sending an article discussing the Civil War battle at Fort Sumter, South Carolina. Corrects misinformation contained within the article, stating "The firing on Sumter in Charleston Harbor began Friday morning 12th April- the surrender was the next day Saturday. All day Saturday the whole North was aware of the attack and its details were discussed amid great Excitement in all the large cities."

The 12 April 1861 Battle at Fort Sumter, South Carolina was the first engagement of the Civil War.

[illegible]
7 Apr 1883 -

My Dear People:
I thank you for the copy of your interesting article rec'd here at the spring meeting of the L.L.
I wish to call your attention to the phraseology of the first sentence. Does it not mislead? The firing on Sumter in Charleston Harbor began Friday Morning
12th April - the surrender was the next day Saturday. All day Saturday the whole North was aware of the attack and its details were discussed amid great Excitement in all the large cities.
Please look into this.
Sincerely,
R.B. Hayes
Prof. C. E. Blair
&c &c

Blair, C. E., fl. 1883
Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, 1822-1893

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