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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.

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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02172.58 Author/Creator: Porter, Charles B. (fl. 1860-) Place Written: Camp near Fredricksburg, VA Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 December 1862
Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 13.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

They had a dull Christmas. He does not want to hear of his brother becoming a soldier. For the moment there are plenty of rations and clothing. He has not spoken to Ed since he last wrote.

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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