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.

Swain, Julius Marshall (1835-1911) to his sister

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.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.10.09 Author/Creator: Swain, Julius Marshall (1835-1911) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 July 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.7 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written from Georgetown, in Washington, D.C. Reports his past military activity. Met the victorious army at Frederick returning from Gettysburg. "The failure to capture or drown a large portion of Lee's army has been I think a real & serious disaster to the country." Expresses concern for her son Charlie.

Swain was a telegrapher with the Massachusetts Signal Corps, 38th Regiment. He enlisted in 1862 as a second lieutenant, and was commissioned into the US Army Signal Corps in 1863, resigning in 1865. He was breveted first lieutenant and captain 13 March 1865. Swain considered joining the 54th Mass. (Colored) Regiment.

Swain, Julius Marshall, 1835-1911

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources