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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.

Higgins, Patrick to Fannie Schoonmaker

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02164.08 Author/Creator: Higgins, Patrick Place Written: Warwick Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 April 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 19.9 x 24.4cm. Order a Copy

Printed with a red white and blue stamp of a woman clad in the American flag. Received her letter a day ago. Many have been wounded since he last wrote. Will give a short account of what has happened. Rebels spotted two miles from camp. When they closed to within a few hundred yards from the rebel fort his company engaged them. One of his comrades was nearly hit in the head by two bullets. Two of their captains were shot. Found a small church to use as cover. Every few moments they could hear the sound of enemy shots being fired. The men were very eager and took a shot every chance they could. Hopes to sleep once night comes. Can't think of anything else to write; has no place to write. Would not write anymore if she were not such a dear friend. Grows lonelier every week he spends away from home.

Higgins, Patrick, fl. 1859-1862
Reese, David, fl. 1859-1862
Johnson, Charles, fl. 1859-1862
Schoonmaker, Fannie, fl. 1859-1862

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