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.

Mercer, R. S. (fl. 1861) to Thomas Holliday Hicks

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 #: GLC00451.02 Author/Creator: Mercer, R. S. (fl. 1861) Place Written: Parkhurst, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 May 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 20 x 12.9 cm. Order a Copy

Mercer, Governor Hick's aid-de-camp during the 19 April 1861 Baltimore Riot, states that during the Riot Hicks refused to interfere with the passage of Northern troops through the city despite the urging of his political colleagues. Written at the Mercer family estate.

R. S. Mercer served as Colonel of the 3rd Regiment, Maryland Cavalry, during the Civil War.

Hicks, Thomas Holliday, 1798-1865
Mercer, R. S., fl. 1861
Brown, George William, 1812-1890

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources