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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 his aunt

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.075 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: White House, [Virginia] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 February 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Written to his aunt, Mrs. George A. Frick (Rebecca Frick). Writes on the anniversary of Washington's birthday and likens his service as a soldier to those of Washington and his men. Strongly expresses his feelings against the rebels and their actions: " those ambitious madmen who are instigated by Beelzebub the chief of rebels, to destroy the fair fabric of our government and bury the republic and liberty along with that of Greece." Reports that there were loud cheers heard everywhere when the troops heard of the fall of Richmond. The actual fall of Richmond would occur in April 1865, rendering this account of events a rumor that was most likely spread amongst the soldiers. Also reports that there has been an increase in the number of deserters coming in. Was given his official commission as 1st Lieutenant, which was dated January 31, 1865. Includes a cut out photograph of himself at the closing of the letter.

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
Frick, Rebecca, fl. 1803-1862

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