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.

Wood, Matthew (fl. 1862-1865) to Sarah Wood

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02176.07 Author/Creator: Wood, Matthew (fl. 1862-1865) Place Written: London, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 June 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.8 x 23.8 cm. Order a Copy

Written from London, Kentucky to his wife. Describes raids in Tennessee and Virginia, destroying railroads, burning bridges, tearing down telegraph wires. Also describes the rainy weather. Expresses concern because he sent a dollar in a letter, but does not trust the mail. Tells of the soldiers' dismay at Robert E. Lee's successes, but expects victory will come when they're on the "brink of despair." Expresses fatigue from the harsh treatment and difficult duty he endures.

Matthew Wood served in the Ohio Ninth Cavalry with Burnside's army in Tennessee, and William T. Sherman's army at the burning of Atlanta and capture of Savannah.

Wood, Matthew, fl. 1861-1865
Wood, Sarah, fl. 1862-1865
Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870

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