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.

Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-) to Brother Henry

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02172.14 Author/Creator: Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-) Place Written: Arlinton Heights Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 August 1861
Pagination: 4 p. ; 13.5 x 21.5 cm. Order a Copy

Four of their pickets were shot last night. In company O, one soldier was shot by hs own comrad. They were practicing a manual of arms. One ordered the other to load aim and fire his gun and he got shot through the heart.

Porter enlisted early in the War, 19 May 1861, and served until 21 July 1864. The last 4 letters, dated 1865, are from Indiana, where he and his father are herding cattle and setting up a farm and ranch.

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