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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.

Ward, Edward K. (1837-1864) to his sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02232.25 Author/Creator: Ward, Edward K. (1837-1864) Place Written: Chattanooga, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 October 1863 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 26.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Written from the line of battle before Chattanooga. Writes that he has heard from his brother Marshall who is slowly recovering from dysentery. Discusses communicating with Miss Mollie and Miss Tillie and other mutual friends. Writes that he has been promoted to Senior Second Lieutenant and his company has elected Ben Thurman to replace him as Junior Second Lieutenant. He mentions to his sister that he received a letter from his friend Page's father. Page has been missing and is believed to have been taken prisoner. Writes that someone named "P" will be getting out soon. Requests that his sister send him No. 8 boots, handkerchiefs, and a pair of gauntlets.

Edward K. Ward was a commissioned officer in Company A of the 4th Tennessee Infantry (Shelby Greys).

Ward, Edward K., 1837-1864
Ward, S. Elmira, fl. 1861

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