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.

Holly, William H. (d. 1864) to Mary Ann Davis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02165.06 Author/Creator: Holly, William H. (d. 1864) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.3 x 15.9 cm. Order a Copy

Written at Camp Parapet to a friend. Talks of the attempts of some (such as his friends Wilkinson and Johnson) to be discharged, and Sunday morning mandatory cleaning routines. Mentions General Ambrose Burnside will be reinforcing General George McClellan and that he doubts his regiment will stay put for long as the army needs them on the move. Says a scouting expedition will be going out because of a guerrilla band that has been harassing Union men. Written on military stationary with the image of an eagle.

William H. Holly was mustered into the "E" Co. CT 12th Infantry on 11/19/1861. He died a prisoner of war on 12/11/1864 at Salisbury, NC. N.B. Holly spells his name "Holley."

Holly, William H., ?-1864
McClellan, George B., 1826-1885
Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881

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