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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.

Blackman, James A. (fl. 1861-1865) to Mary Blackman

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02159.10 Author/Creator: Blackman, James A. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: Camp Dennison, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 August 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy

Writes to his mother about feeling sick but does not believe it is enough to get him discharged. Asks about his brother Francis. Discusses his view of the war. "I hope this war will soon be over and I think it would if the North made as great an effort as the south does I want to see peace but not a peace on eney [enemy] tearms. I had rather stay here ten years than to have our government distroyed. The coperheads are to come out here and talk peace on eney [enemy] tearms to the wounded Soldiers and see how they would make it. I hope that thare is none of my relation them sort of Trators."

James A. Blackman served in the Rhode Island 7th Infantry from September 1862 to October 1863. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, 23rd Regiment on 29 October 1863 where he served until the end of the war.

Blackman, James A., fl. 1861-1865

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