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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.

Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) to his mother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00836 Author/Creator: Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 August 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 13 cm Order a Copy

Written in pencil, just after the battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia. Discusses their victory over Banks and the death of Morgan.

[draft excerpt:]

...Through the blessing of God we had another victory over Banks & McDowell of Pope's Corps - It was yesterday afternoon - we captured quite a large number of officers & men, One brigadier Gen and colonels & c captured one piece of artillery - the fight was about 7 miles from Culpeper C.H. It will probably go on today. Ned Lee is safe & so are all the Staff -nobody from Lexington hurt... Gen. Winder killed... The enemy's loss must have been severe from his leaving his wounded in some numbers, among them some officers, as well as the dead...

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