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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.

Painter, Heber (1841-1900) to sister Kate

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.043 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: New Bern, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 November 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that although he would like to request furlough for the holidays, he feels it may be wiser to reserve his request for a time when he will really need it. Reports that Thanksgiving day was celebrated by the soldiers with a meal of hardtack and salt horse. Is anxious to receive further news of Grant's victory in the West. Writes that a rebel quartermaster deserter came into the lines the other day and later succeeded in capturing 52 rebels near Washington, North Carolina. Reports that the men of the company are recuperating and that he is also enjoying good health.

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
Painter, Catherine, fl. 1844-1870

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