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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.

Longstreet, James (1821-1904) to John G. Walker

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01404.01 Author/Creator: Longstreet, James (1821-1904) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 May 1866 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 23 x 14.2 cm. Order a Copy

Longstreet a former major general in the Confederate Army reflects on the Civil War: "Can't you settle down without war? I am somewhat changed in my ideas about war since I have been forced to change by profession. I think now that war is great folly." Also discusses business, family, and reconstruction politics. Walker was also a former major general in the Confederate Army. Written in pencil of stationary of the Southern & Western Life & Accident Insurance Company, of which Longstreet was president.

Longstreet, James, 1821-1904
Walker, John George, 1821-1893

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