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.

Unknown to wife and family

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.04.01 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Near Falmouth Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 May 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 13.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

He says he lost his knapsack one night with all his clothes and and his blanket but that is nothing compared to his life which was spared. He has not seen Charles since the battle and fears he may have been taken prisoner. All their officers were killed and he describes them as sheep without a shepard.

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