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.

Miller, Michael Murray (1861-1864) to Lile Miller

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02155.114 Author/Creator: Miller, Michael Murray (1861-1864) Place Written: Kellys Ford, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 November 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.5 x 12 cm. Order a Copy

Written from camp near Kellys Ford. Dislikes the country between the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers, noting that the Confederates have "too much chance to flank us here." Writes, "Dear Lile I should love dearly to Be home with you this winter for I am sick of this worse than dogs life." Discusses reviews conducted by Abraham Lincoln: "I suppose there will be no great time there on the 19th especially to see Old Abe if it was to see him situated as I have always been when I saw him, there would not so many want to see him, (on Big Reviews) with a gun and Knapsack on their backs..." Relates that his knapsack weighs 60 pounds, he weighs 131 pounds, and he weighed 142 pounds when he entered the service.

Miller, Michael M
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources