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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.

Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) [Draft of Special Orders No. 15]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02220.03 Author/Creator: Sherman, William Tecumseh (1820-1891) Place Written: Raleigh, North Carolina Type: Manuscript document Date: 27 April 1865 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 25.8 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy

By order of Major General Sherman, clerically signed by L. M. Dayton, Assistant Adjutant General. Announces the cessation of hostilities and the final surrender agreement with Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston. Gives instructions on carrying out the surrender terms. Stresses carrying out orders uniformly in order to restore friendships with fellow citizens. Calls for an end to foraging. Also includes a draft copy of a circular dated 28 April 1865 by command of General Sherman signed clerically by Archer Anderson as Assistant Adjutant General. Orders commanders to send four fifths of their ammunitions to the Ordnance officers. Also instructs that the field transportation belongs to the troops and will be distributed at the end of the march.

Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Anderson, Archer, 1838-1918

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