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.

Painter, Heber (fl. 1841-1900) to Johnny and Heber Buyers

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.004 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (fl. 1841-1900) Place Written: Camp Hamilton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 April 1861 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 11.5 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy

Letter addressed to his nephews, Johnny and Heber. He wishes he could see them more often. Tells his nephew to be kind to the new baby so as to set a good example. Reports that the boys' father is doing well and sends his love.

Before joining the service, Painter was a trained printer from Danville, Pennsylvania. He was mustered as a private into F Company of the 58th Pennsylvania infantry on 8 October 1861 and transferred to I Company on 1 March 1862. While in I Company, he was promoted to Sergeant and eventually mustered out on 21 January 1866 as First Lieutenant. Painter also held a post as Quartermaster's clerk, and performed freedman duties shortly after the war ended.

Painter, Heber, 1841-1900
Buyers, John, fl. 1859-1920
Buyers, Heber, fl. 1859-1882

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