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 #: GLC02172.35 Author/Creator: Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-) Place Written: Camp Michigan Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 January 1862
Pagination: 8 p. ; 13.7 x 21.4 cm. Order a Copy

The rebels have blockaded the Potomac down below her about 45 miles. They fired 21 shots. Once again he tells Henry not to enlist and to stay at home. Last night the pickets were firing.

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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