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.

Gorsuch, Joseph B. (1834-1908) to Joseph Curtis and his wife

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.09.08 Author/Creator: Gorsuch, Joseph B. (1834-1908) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 March 1863 Pagination: 1 p. ; 30.6 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written in camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi (possibly in Louisiana). Gorsuch, Captain of the 83rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, replies to a letter from his aunt and uncle. Expects the Battle of Vicksburg to commence soon. Has heard rumors that Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet is ready to cooperate with ground troops against Vicksburg. Doubts whether the Union army will perform as well at Vicksburg as they did at the Battle of Arkansas Post (9-11 January 1863). Discusses his wages and savings. Discusses money he owes to George Wood, of Delta, Ohio. States "Alphonso wants me in his letter to kill a rebel and get him a gold watch & chain. I fear from their shabby looks, that the poor fellows have not got many gold watches left. They have had to go, to make payments on 'iron-clads' built in England."

Gorsuch, Joseph B., ?-1864
Curtis, Joseph, fl. 1863-1865
Curtis, Mary Gorsuch, 1799-1873
Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870
Wood, George, fl. 1863

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